What role do consumers play in jobs leaving the country?
Editor: I found myself sitting next to the Christmas tree, enjoying time with family and watching my niece and nephew open gifts. Though I try and put my mind on vacation when not teaching, being a teacher does not make that feat easy to accomplish.
My dad’s Hallmark American Truck ornament collection went up to brighten the tree, a new football was unwrapped, the American Girl knitting set was a hit, and all was well in Whoville — except me.
The conversations I hear on the news and in town are of blame toward countries when our factories close and our goods are not desired, but maybe that is the easy road. What about my consumption? What about your consumption? Are those countries the problem, or are they merely producing what the American market demands — cheap, disposable goods.
To make us feel good, we might look toward symbolism to free our consciences of guilt. American Girl knitting set, just like the prairie days … in Shenzhen. The American Truck series; they just don’t make them like they used to … in Bangkok. Football, America’s game, produced overseas.
Why should I complain? I still have a job, my money goes farther, and when I get tired of that product I simply just throw it away and get something else. Talk currency manipulation and low wages all you want, but supply follows demand. If we didn’t demand it, it wouldn’t be made. If we demanded it be made next door, and paid a little extra to keep our neighbors employed, it would happen.
Before we let an administration lead us to believe we are the victim, let’s go brush our teeth, wash our face, and look in the mirror, because we’re filthy. We take shortcuts in the name of capitalism, and then blame “that group” for doing the same. I guess that is easier to do than take responsibility. If you want to be upset by people profiting from overseas manufacturing, try focusing on the business in question and how they respond to your wants, not the people that accept the work. JONATHAN SOLIS Lodi
Homeless problem and water quality
Editor: The homeless problem in the Lodi community keeps growing by the day. We have a special problem that we need to address as a community that gets part of its water supply from the Mokelumne River.
If you have driven across the river on Highway 99 and looked over the side you might have noticed that it has become a trash dump. Also, the people living along the banks are using the river as a toilet. I hope we pay special attention to water testing daily in and out of the plant for biological pathogens. Abatement has been out several times over the past couple of years to clean up the mess. This problem exists about 11⁄2 miles up river from our drinking water treatment facility and I hope something permanent is done soon. DAVE CHRISTY Acampo
Letters invited
The Lodi News-Sentinel welcomes opinions from its readers. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for internal verification purposes. All letters are subject to editing. Letters from local readers dealing with local issues are given priority. Letters from outside the local area are published at the editor’s discretion. Letters longer than 350 words will be cut to fit or returned to their writers. There is a holding period of 30 days between publication of letters by the same person unless no other letters are queued. Send letters to P.O. Box 1360, Lodi, CA 95241-1360; or email to