I suppose the title of this entry should be China and corporate America; given the latest massive toy recall is further proof that this off-shoring of labor is a really bad idea. As a cynical consumer I really do believe that Mattel knew about this lead paint problem and the use of high powered magnet since 2002 - yes the toy recall extends to 2002.
The chairman of Mattel really does expect that the average American parent will believe that after all those years, they were simply duped and now yikes- they have to protect the children. Sadly he is correct- a few days after the recall, I saw an interview with a mother of five who felt unsure as to what she will do. She did not want to discard the toys until she was sure of what was going on!
As a mother- I was stunned- The makers of the toys listed what was under the recall, yet this American Mother was not sure of her next move. Sheesh it is no wonder what harmful and deadly tricks corporations can pull and simply walk away smiling.
My daughters - after watching the news report and checking the list went upstairs immediately; I then found them separating all the questionable toys - the girls are 10 and 11. The children even discarded their many Barbies out of protest, they even had their three year old brother helping.
Children are not attached to things, it is the parents who push cheap baubles at them, only to then wonder how their children become so focused on material things.
We do not allow our children countless toys, but we will present them with any book they need or want. Our children need to learn the art of thinking, in order to recover from a society of adults who are unable to make a reasonable decision.
This idea that Americans need cheaply produced goods in order to continue growing this hungry consumerism baby is insane. Many rush to the stores to stock up on every painted plastic crap they can get their hands on in order to amuse children who simply need love,attention and a few good books.
China has now become a driven marketplace, and only those who drive her can effectively disengage from her. We do not need under priced Barbies and every toy reflective of every Disney or Pixar compilation. We need children who are engaged in learning and exploring their innate infinite curiosities.
The problem now is not just the lead and the magnets- it's the lies:
It's all China's' fault
Really- it's China
We appraised them of our standards and they ignored us...
Blah Blah lie lie lie!
Many Americans are at heart- (even with the lady in New York beckoning others (like Me)to her lovely shores)- transparent
So now China is the evil destroyer of young American brains, and the poor fellows and ladies in the corporate offices- the ones who structured the deals and were required to test the standards- have been misused by the evil Asian bastards.
Americans need to wake up and realize that we are our own homeland security. It is our job to respond immediately to any offense against our children. We need not wait for clarification from a corporate tool who really does not care. We are responsible and if we feel that corporations do not have our best interest at heart ( hint: they don't) we should separate them from our purse strings.
Perhaps for Christmas this year or for the next special gift we could offer our children books. We do and they love us all the same
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