Pick up ten items in your house and check to see where they were made. I’m suspecting that 9 out of 10 have that little gold, “Made in China” sticker on them, or at least have been in inscribed with the same. Though I never fully relished the idea that I was buying so many China-made products I had come to accept it for the sake of my wallet. I assumed that everything made there was the better deal, and thus I was better off.  Or so I thought…

Then last week it hit me: I buy more from China because I think it is cheaper! I walk into Walmart with 5 items on my shopping list and I walk out with a $100 receipt in my hand. As I stroll through the store I pick up little things here and there that are appealing to my eye and so inexpensively priced and I toss them into my cart.  I don’t need them; I just want them because they caught my eye, and nearly all of those little money-grabbers are made in China. 

Last week it was also brought to my attention that the health and quality standards of the Chinese market are far below America’s.  Their goods are made with materials that can seriously affect our health and their food is grown in heavily polluted environments. Many of our frozen foods are produced in China, and I am sure we all remember the lead-scare that happened a few years ago, involving the toys our children play with. In addition to this, many of their workers are actually political prisoners; since Christianity is illegal in this Communist nation their “political” prisoners are, in fact, imprisoned Christians – another reason why their products are so cheaply made.

With this information in hand I have resolved to do my very best to avoid purchasing products made in China. I may have to buy less or search longer for items that I truly need, but in the long run I believe my pocket book, my health, and my sense of conviction will be better off.  I shared this resolution with my students the other day and they asked me why I have chosen to do this. I reflected for a moment and came to this conclusion: Why should I use my money to support a Communist regime that doesn’t value human life and who is actually seeking the downfall of America for the sake of their prosperity, instead of supporting a free market economy that recognizes the equality of opportunity for all who dare to dream big?

It’s my money and it wasn’t Made in China.