California leads the way in stupidity... again.

DeepIron · 11-19-07, 11:00 PM

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...071120?sp=true

Ok, so a number of manufacturers have had problems with Chinese toy imports with lead in the paint and other safety issues. There has already been a loss to these companies in the millions of $$$. The issues have strained trade relations a bit more between the US and the Chinese. Customer trust has been eroded. All in all, not a good situation for anyone involved.

The stupid part: What does California hope to achieve by exacerbating the problem by tying these companies up in court? It will take years and plenty of taxpayer $$$ to resolve this... There are certainly other more pressing issues to have in front of the courts instead of this!

I'm not condoning the use of lead or unsafe materials in anything for kids. I just don't see the sense of throwing more gas on the fire...

Reaves · 11-19-07, 11:18 PM

The companies involved risked the lives of consumers so they could save money and make a larger profit.

An example must be made, although that will probably just increase the price of Lego....

I hate the world today. :rotfl:

elite_hunter_sh3 · 11-19-07, 11:22 PM

maybe the government should force the companies to bring back business into the US and close everything down in china, but naaah, never going to happen considering the politicians are on the company payroll

Ducimus · 11-19-07, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaves

The companies involved risked the lives of consumers so they could save money and make a larger profit.

What he said. If i didn't hate outsourcing so much, i woudln't think much of the lawsuit either, but if it builds up on reasons for those companies to reconsider their outsourcing as the way to big profits, i'm all for it.

Skybird · 11-20-07, 08:16 AM

I bet you guys would not complain if it were about suing the chinese sub-contractors directly. But the law in America I expect to be not much different than it is over here: the selling company that gives production orders to sub-contractors has to make sure that the products it produces in this or in any other way are safe by the demands and definitions of the law. If they fail, because their sub-contractos failed them, it is their responsibility, and maybe they should have choosen another sub-constractor in the first, or controlled them better, whatever - you name it. But they have made the first choice, and for the product created (and for which they claim profit by selling it) they have to bear responsibility.

Wich I would consider to be perfectly reasonable even if there would not be any laws regulating this. It is like this in many other fields as well. Generals taking responsibility for the overall performance of their sub-ordinate units and officers. Minsters facing responsibility for events and actions in their ministries - even if both the general or the minister did not knew what happened and had no hand in creating a mess. Because he is expected to run his business in a way that he does know what is happening under his roof.

DeepIron · 11-20-07, 08:35 AM

Quote:

The companies involved risked the lives of consumers so they could save money and make a larger profit.

Certainly a valid point, but you could say that of any company who sells directly to consumers. There is always some risk involved... I'm typing this post at my computer (naturally) viewing it on a Westinghouse 21" LCD monitor. If I develop sight problems 10 years from now, do I sue Westinghouse? Or accept a level of potential risk for using their product? :hmm:

Having been a partner in a small screen printing company, I can tell you that it's difficult to verify information from sub-contractors. At times, the remedy can only be ascertained "after the fact" and that can take months. Meanwhile, the product has gone to the consumer with your guarantee.

I think California is being premature in taking this action...

BTW, the price of Legos has gone up... Christmas spirit....

11-20-07, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaves

The companies involved risked the lives of consumers so they could save money and make a larger profit.

What he said. If i didn't hate outsourcing so much, i woudln't think much of the lawsuit either, but if it builds up on reasons for those companies to reconsider their outsourcing as the way to big profits, i'm all for it.

I agree with this ideal. The companies outsource to cheap labor, killing off American jobs, so they can sell to people here in this country that don't have jobs because everything's been outsourced to India and China. They have to be cheap because we're all working at McDonald's.

A few well-placed wacks on the buttocks of these companies will show them that it might actually be cheaper to have AMERICANS doing the labor right here in America, where American inspections can confirm that American-manufactured products = American-specifications for safety.

Like $5.00/gallon gas, once it becomes more profitable to make them here in the USA again, they'll bring the jobs back here.

<petergriffin>And that's what grinds my gears.</petergriffin>

Kapitan_Phillips · 11-20-07, 11:45 AM

Maybe they should airdop Ahnold into Beijing to sort things out.

DeepIron · 11-20-07, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Like $5.00/gallon gas, once it becomes more profitable to make them here in the USA again, they'll bring the jobs back here.

I would like to see that...

LOL! I was listening to NPR this AM and they were discussing the devaluation of the US dollar and it's effects on companies in the US.

In one particular example of a company that manufactures Ambulance alternators in Conneticut, this company had always outsourced is manufacturing to Europe, because it was cheaper labor and still had a well-made product. Now that the Euro has gained over the dollar, Europe's labor is more costly and the company has opened a plant in China because it's labor is cheaper...

11-20-07, 05:31 PM

I find it interesting that California can regulate foriegn trade but cannot regulate illegal immigration. :hmm:

Must be about the money.

bookworm_020 · 11-20-07, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepIron

BTW, the price of Legos has gone up... Christmas spirit....

Move to Norfolk Island, just off Australia. It has the the world cheapest Lego:p.

Ducimus · 11-20-07, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waste gate

I find it interesting that California can regulate foriegn trade but cannot regulate illegal immigration. :hmm:

Ive conceded to myself, that i currently live in a mexico. I think in about another year or so, ill be looking to immigrate back to America. Not sure which state yet, most likely arkansas since the wifes family lives there. May god have mercy upon my soul, i really don't like living in the south. But i suppose its better then living in mexico.

11-20-07, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Quote:

Originally Posted by waste gate

I find it interesting that California can regulate foriegn trade but cannot regulate illegal immigration. :hmm:

Ive conceded to myself, that i currently live in a mexico. I think in about another year or so, ill be looking to immigrate back to America. Not sure which state yet, most likely arkansas since the wifes family lives there. May god have mercy upon my soul, i really don't like living in the south. But i suppose its better then living in mexico.

I'm looking at Montana and Idaho my self.

Tchocky · 11-20-07, 08:36 PM

Used to live in O.C. myself, Ducimus. Head north, get some real weather :p

DeepIron · 11-20-07, 08:40 PM

Quote:

I'm looking at Montana and Idaho my self.

I live in southerm Idaho and things ain't exactly rosy here either... I'm thinking about going back to Alaska. Ketchikan to be exact...

11-19-07, 11:00 PM	#1
DeepIron Sea Lord Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Too far from the Pacific right now... Posts: 1,634 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	California leads the way in stupidity... again. http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...071120?sp=true Ok, so a number of manufacturers have had problems with Chinese toy imports with lead in the paint and other safety issues. There has already been a loss to these companies in the millions of $$$. The issues have strained trade relations a bit more between the US and the Chinese. Customer trust has been eroded. All in all, not a good situation for anyone involved. The stupid part: What does California hope to achieve by exacerbating the problem by tying these companies up in court? It will take years and plenty of taxpayer $$$ to resolve this... There are certainly other more pressing issues to have in front of the courts instead of this! I'm not condoning the use of lead or unsafe materials in anything for kids. I just don't see the sense of throwing more gas on the fire... __________________ RFB / RSRDC Beta Tester RFB / RSRDC Modding Forum: http://forum.kickinbak.com/index.php RFB Top Post link: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=125529 RFB Loadout: RFB_V1.52_102408: RFB_V1.52_Patch_111608: RSRDC_RFBv15_V396

11-19-07, 11:18 PM	#2
Reaves The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,509 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	The companies involved risked the lives of consumers so they could save money and make a larger profit. An example must be made, although that will probably just increase the price of Lego.... I hate the world today. :rotfl: __________________

11-20-07, 08:16 AM	#5
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	I bet you guys would not complain if it were about suing the chinese sub-contractors directly. But the law in America I expect to be not much different than it is over here: the selling company that gives production orders to sub-contractors has to make sure that the products it produces in this or in any other way are safe by the demands and definitions of the law. If they fail, because their sub-contractos failed them, it is their responsibility, and maybe they should have choosen another sub-constractor in the first, or controlled them better, whatever - you name it. But they have made the first choice, and for the product created (and for which they claim profit by selling it) they have to bear responsibility. Wich I would consider to be perfectly reasonable even if there would not be any laws regulating this. It is like this in many other fields as well. Generals taking responsibility for the overall performance of their sub-ordinate units and officers. Minsters facing responsibility for events and actions in their ministries - even if both the general or the minister did not knew what happened and had no hand in creating a mess. Because he is expected to run his business in a way that he does know what is happening under his roof. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 11-20-07 at 08:49 AM.

11-20-07, 11:45 AM	#8
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	Maybe they should airdop Ahnold into Beijing to sort things out. __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

11-20-07, 08:36 PM	#14
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Used to live in O.C. myself, Ducimus. Head north, get some real weather :p __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

11-19-07, 11:22 PM	#3
elite_hunter_sh3 The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,376 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	maybe the government should force the companies to bring back business into the US and close everything down in china, but naaah, never going to happen considering the politicians are on the company payroll

11-20-07, 05:31 PM	#10
waste gate Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I find it interesting that California can regulate foriegn trade but cannot regulate illegal immigration. :hmm: Must be about the money.