my 2 cents (or is that 1/6 RMB?)
I studied Chinese history in college, have gone there on business 5 times in the last few years, was project manager to outsource some of our admin work to India (scuttled that), and have a lot of friends that are Chinese (in China, not Chinese-American).
I've also toured manufacturing plants in Korea, China, India, and the US (likely more than anyone here). None in Japan (see F5fstops rant, I completely agree with that).
Here's the difference: There is PRIDE in the work done in those mfr plants overseas. They hold us up as a model (see WWII), and continue to work hard to be like us, not beat us. Unfortunately, we have gotten fat and happy (too much talking about WWII instead of making sure we can win WWIII). I hear a lot of talk at US manufacturing plants about 'buy american' and some people do, but mostly when it's convenient or cheap. Instead, we sit around and talk about how good the good ol' days were and bit*h about these other places where it's cheaper to make stuff.
And I'll say this, in general, I wouldn't trust someone from China for much of anything. Their culture allows and even promotes reverse-engineering - not as theft but as triumph. They'll steal every good idea we have, then partner with Korea to make it better (and Korea's darn close to our equal in hi-tech development). And once the government finally realizes things like TPS, LEAN, Six-Sigma, and all those other mfr-line quality and efficiency programs work, you can kiss large-scale manufacturing in the US bye-bye.
And you can gripe about China, but we should all be looking at Africa and Central America (not Mexico). There's been a slow but steady increase in movement of hi-tech manufacturing out of Taiwan/Korea/China to places like Nigera and Costa Rica. One problem with a peaceful world is that there are lots of people out there willing (and getting more able) to do more work cheaper. China's just the tip of the iceberg.
and my current vehicles are GM Suburban, Ford F250, and my Hummer (just sold my Jeep). My whole family? Tahoe, Chevy 1500, Chevy 1500, PT Cruiser, Escort, Caravan. Had a '79 civic in college for 3 months. Traded it for a 1968 Chevy pickup.
http://www.buyamerican.com
http://www.usstuff.com