If ya'll don't like child labor, I'd seriously take a look at a LOT of the clothes, electronics, etc that we all buy. Many of them are made in places like China, India, etc where these practices are the norm. Much of the gear people bought from the last dozen Olympics or so was manufactured (at least in part) in these countries.

When China was awarded the Olympics, its not like anyone though that all of a sudden they would completely change their economy and their society. (Anyone who did is a little ignorant).

Now, I'm not excusing China for these practices, I'm just a little sick of all the "Oh look! China does this!!!" that seems to be pouring out from many of the news media... A ...

If ya'll don't like child labor, I'd seriously take a look at a LOT of the clothes, electronics, etc that we all buy. Many of them are made in places like China, India, etc where these practices are the norm. Much of the gear people bought from the last dozen Olympics or so was manufactured (at least in part) in these countries.

When China was awarded the Olympics, its not like anyone though that all of a sudden they would completely change their economy and their society. (Anyone who did is a little ignorant).

Now, I'm not excusing China for these practices, I'm just a little sick of all the "Oh look! China does this!!!" that seems to be pouring out from many of the news media... A lot of this press seems more bitter and angry that China is growing as an economy and is forecast to surpass the US in the not to distant future as the worlds largest, most powerful economy.

China IS changing.. if a bit too slowly for our tastes. But at least they are changing. Many of us could use some changes too...

Bferman
I agree with you it is totalitarianism at work here. Yet totalitarianism and capitalism are compatible (as totalitarianism and communism are compatible). Totalitarianism in China is in fact reason why one social expression (communism) there so easily turned into another (capitalism).

Basic definition of capitalism is simple:

It is characterized by the predominant private ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange in a mainly market economy. The owners of capital are the dominant capitalist class (bourgeoisie). The working class (proletariat) who do not own capital must live by selling their labour power in exchange for a wage.

http://en.wikipedia....

Bferman
I agree with you it is totalitarianism at work here. Yet totalitarianism and capitalism are compatible (as totalitarianism and communism are compatible). Totalitarianism in China is in fact reason why one social expression (communism) there so easily turned into another (capitalism).

Basic definition of capitalism is simple:

It is characterized by the predominant private ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange in a mainly market economy. The owners of capital are the dominant capitalist class (bourgeoisie). The working class (proletariat) who do not own capital must live by selling their labour power in exchange for a wage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalist_mode_of_production#State_capitalist_interpretation

You said:

There would be well paid workers to meet the high demand for the merchandise.

I am glad you have so nice experience with capitalistic system. Yet again it is known that in many countries with different variants of capitalism people are exploited horribly and paid miserably, almost as slaves.

I dare to say that capitalism with regard to permanent self-oriented goal of any “reasonable” capitalist (maximal income with minimal outcome) has inherent tendency towards enslaving people.
This permanent self-orientation is reason why pure capitalism is anti-ecological by definition, too.