[sdiy] OT: Chinese goods

[Colin f]

> As long as I spend 88.5% of my income locally I don't feel 
> bad about buying boards from Asia.

Manfacturing is a small part of the value chain.
Most goods that are manufactured in China are still designed, marketed,
retailed and supported 'locally'.
By out-sourcing your manfacturing, you are reducing your costs.
That should increase your sales, thereby increasing the total value of your
business to the local economy, in terms of all the other parts of the value
chain.
It's a win-win.
The problems will come if and when the Chinese learn to innovate themselves.
Fortunately for us, innovation requires free-thinking of exactly the sort
that will get you locked up.

Cheers,
Colin f