Chinese Using Trojan Horse?

Who needs guns when you can poison a nation... and better yet, they ask to be poisoned? Remember the Trojan horse scenario? Not only do we get gifts with hidden toxins, but we in turn go out and buy them to give. Our kids are playing with lead covered toys with who knows what kind of cumulative affect. We're brushing our teeth with anti-freeze laden toothpaste from China.

Yes, I understand that most likely it simply boils down to the Chinese having lower standards than we do, but still the end result is the same. We are eating lead, our pets are suffering and people are being killed. Yep, killed.

What will be the long term affect on our economy? Have you ever thought about how much it costs a company to have an item recalled? What impact does a recall have on a company's public image when consumers see an empty shelf with a recall note on it at the grocery store? How many parents have stopped buying any item made in China as a result of the large number of lead paint toy recalls?

I know it's a wild thought that keeps going through my mind (at least I hope it is), but, in addition to all the problems with tainted products from China, think about how much of our country is being bought by companies based in other countries. I heard, but haven't verified, that we had to borrow money from China for the rebate the government dished out to try and get us out of the current financial downturn?

We all go merrily on our way, buying this, buying that without paying much attention. Are we someday going to look back and see that our own indulgence resulted in the downfall of this great country?

I'm great at seeing potential problems or possible conspiracy theories. However, it's too big a problem for little ol' me sitting here typing away at the computer. In today's world a true conspiracy talked about on the Internet gets lost among those imagined and those tossed out in malice.

I'm watching what I buy these days. But I do it with the knowledge that while I may be protecting the health of my family to some degree, I can't know which product will be a Trojan horse. I also do it knowing that by avoiding items made in China, I'm hurting businesses here in the United States.

Tainted Chinese imports spur calls to protect consumer
Toxic blood thinner may have killed as many as 81 people, US says.
Lead in toys. Melamine in pet food. Toxic chemicals in toothpaste. And now, tainted pharmaceuticals.
The unfolding scandal of contaminated blood thinner from China is the latest in a string of revelations about dangerous imports from a country that has risen to become manufacturer to the world.
US lawmakers now are pushing for more protection for American consumers, as hearings in Congress this week have made clear. Even the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says he needs more money – and a new approach – to try and ensure that products entering the country are safe.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0424/p02s02-usgn.html

From June 2007: Throw away Chinese toothpaste, FDA warns
Products may contain poisonous chemical used in antifreeze
The government warned consumers on Friday to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it may contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.
Out of caution, the Food and Drug Administration said, people should throw away toothpaste with labeling that says it was made in China. The FDA is concerned that these products may contain diethylene glycol.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18985512/