Originally Posted by Mark Bradley

Right on the money here with the exception of pointing the finger of blame at the "entity" Corporate America. Corporate America is basically "us," is it not? Savy business people make money off of Chinese goods because the American public likes buying stuff, there's nothing wrong with that. If the public prefers paying $10 for a Chinese Bargie vs. $50 for an "American made" verson who's to argue?

But of course you're correct about the oppresive, basically hostile country Commie China is, and the way we turn a blind eye to it simply because we get things cheap is an ethical issue certainly worth facing up to. It's up to each of us to make the "ethical" choices of whether to buy Chinese or not. Unfortunatley so much is made in China it is practically impossible not to buy their products living the modern lifestyle we Americans enjoy-- half the time we never know where our material world toys originate and for better or worse could care less as long as the price is right.

Taiwan (the good China!) is making some fine instruments-- coming up like Yamaha did a few decades ago. The new XO line from Jupiter for example is very good (and a bargain to boot).