The new trade deficit: Our souls for cheaper shoes

That’s “Dilbert” on 5-1-2007, or a good analogy for the US, every day of the year for decades.

Our greatest victims, though, aren’t Elbonians enslaved by Dogbert in the basement, but rather Chinese citizens and political prisoners. Over the past few years, we have had more than a few incidents with Chinese trade. Toys. Tires. Pet food. Toothpaste. Coffee cups. Lunch boxes.

For all this, though, we don’t turn away from the promise of cheaper goods from China. After all, the Wal Mart slogan says it all: Save money, live better. Save money so you can buy more stuff … because having more stuff is (of course) the definition of living better. One might think that pressuring manufacturers to relocate to China would hurt such a retailer, but it seems not to. After all, Wal Mart has managed to make itself look like a good all-American company while, frankly, betraying the very values that would make a good all-American company.

In violation of US law, China uses prison labor to manufacture products for US markets. Even so, we keep extending “most favored nation” trade status to China. This, despite the fact that China won’t even cooperate in terms of investigating this situation. But to try to impose any standards on China — be they ethical or quality-based — is derided as “protectionist.” We’re told, in defiance of all evidence, that maintaining this trade relationship with China will benefit the Chinese people. It benefits a few Chinese people — the people who derive wealth and power from slave labor and oppressive conditions.

Moving on …

I assume that you’ve heard of events recently in a small once-nation called Tibet. Invaded and occupied by China decades ago, the people of Tibet still want to be freed and to govern themselves. Some might argue that we should help apply pressure to help the people of Tibet. Apparently, others would just as soon have cheap running shoes. After all, what could be more important?

The Olympics, I guess. As I’m looking for stories about the situation in Tibet and the death toll, I keep coming across these articles decrying any attempt to boycott the Olympics.

John Furlong, head of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, had this to say:

“I share the same concern any other decent human being would share for anybody who’s in harm’s way, anybody who’s suffering,” Furlong said.

“But what I am saying is that the Olympic Games is not the place to solve this. Sport is the one thing we all have around the world that’s good.”

Translation: I give lip service to people with bad lives, but … honestly … don’t mess up the Olympics! International TV, souvenir sales, concessions, and all the related business! What’s a few lives compared to the uneven parrallel bars? Really, people! Priorities!

Then again, there are those who want to try to use the Olympics as an opportunity to apply pressure to China with respect to Darfur policy. Frustrated with the fact that the West doesn’t seem to care about the death toll in Darfur, activists have tried to apply pressure on China. These efforts fall on deaf ears, of course. China shows little enough interest in the human rights of its own citizens and those of its occupied territories. Why should the lives of people half a world away matter, when doing anything to help them would require that the Chinese government give up some of its economic strength?

Not that it is likely to matter, but I join those who think that we should be boycotting the Olympics in China. Frankly, I’d like us to be supporting the Tibetan Olympics this year. The one not based in a country that violates every principle that we as Americans purport to hold dear.

What, if anything, do we really believe?

Do we really value human rights? Do we really believe that freedom and self-determination are inalienable rights, with which we were endowed by our Creator?

Or do we think that it’s okay for people to be oppressed, as long as they’re not oppressed here, and it’s not our problem?

I’m willing to pay more for shoes, or lunch boxes, or toothpaste, if doing so means that we hold China to some kind of standards.

I’m willing for the US to stand alone and refuse to celebrate China by taking part in the Olympics, while millions of men, women, and children are oppressed under the thuggish regime.

It is time that we stopped listening to those who make money off of our Chinese relations, at the expense of our principles. Building toys in China has nothing to do with bringing democracy, it has to do with cutting costs so that someone can make a bigger bonus. That “someone,” by the way, will not be the prisoner who is made to do the work.

If, on the other hand, you think that China is just fine … you’re in good company. There are a few international leaders who have come out in support of the Chinese crackdown in Tibet over the past few days.

Leaders from Pakistan, Tunisia, the Democratic People’s Republic of (North) Korea, Sierra Leone, and the Communist Party of Nepal have voiced such support, as well.

 

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