When an economy contracts, consumers move toward either quality (durability) or cheap. The American consumer, spoiled by years of having more of everything has chosen cheap over quality. (Europeans choose quality) This is a very bad thing in the long run.

Choosing cheap drives manufacturing to cheaper labor sources feeding economic contraction. Choosing cheap drives down quality and service translating to early product failure and possibly unsafe products.

Take this theorem through to the buying of food ...
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I had to deal with a tire blowout recently. It was an expensive tire but it was made in China. Don't buy tires made in China.

Okay, moving on. My tire failed on the freeway, in the dark, between towns and after all nearby (within 20 miles) tire shops had closed.

I also had some dental work recently. It was rather complicated and I needed to miss a few days of work.

And, my dog sustained an injury ...
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