Not So Sexy

Last month, four Chinese babies died and thousands were hospitalized after a breakout of melamine-poisoned milk powder. Last week, the New York Times reported that the contaminations also spread to another milk-based product in Britain. The Food Standards Agency has never warned about edible sex accessories before, but “chocolate and strawberry ‘body pens’, as well as "erotic chocolate lotion” were found with a low amount of melamine. Recent reports are claiming that eggs produced in China have also been found contaminated. This poison falsely displays a higher amount of protein in products and can damage kidneys.

Right now, China is feeling the pains of capitalism. Unfortunately, the world shares this rising superpower’s troubles. In 2007, the United States encountered children’s toys containing lead-based paint and melamine-tainted pet food, both imported from China. With Chinese citizens and businesses owners vying to make quick and easy money, regulations tend to be circumvented for economic gain.

Clearly this is another reason why we need to isolate more economically and create American jobs to do this the correct way, right? But do you really want to work in the milk industry? China has the capacity and dedicated work force able to complete these “dirty jobs”. Also, by outsourcing (yes, that horrible word) these tasks to countries, such as China and India, Americans find themselves pushed into the higher levels of labor. This leads to better pay and cheaper prices on these foreign goods.

America needs be both aware and patient with China on this matter. Steps away from open trading due to a few incidents would be the wrong decision. Both parties convey their disdain towards free trade and globalization easily with events such as these and Americans losing their jobs garnering so much public attention. However, the country can’t see the long term benefits when focusing only on the short term costs. I can only hope that America keeps trade as open as possible, especially in the wake of the current economic crisis. The next president’s policies may look great in the first few months of his office, but can and will come back to haunt him if the wrong moves are made.