Sunday, February 26, 2012

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE?

Today we purchased for $1.00 each three novelty figures made of plastic with a photovoltaic cell that when exposed to sunlight cause the toys to waggle their parts. So we have a ladybug, butterfly and a bee happily moving their wings and sitting on leaves that are constantly in motion. Three for $3.00.

I thought I would like to send them to my grandchildren in Australia. But wait - with packing, postage and customs requirement it would cost about $5.00 to send a $1.00 toy! Maybe more...
How is it possible that the toy was designed in the U.S, plastics were shipped to China, the place of manufacture, other parts were made in China , a high tech photovoltaic cell was added, the product was shipped back to the U.S. wholesaler and then distributed to the Dollar Tree store where I purchased it? Deep question. Everyone along the process made a profit and I still was able to plunk down a single dollar bill. Isn’t Capitalism wonderful!

Yet, to send the “dancing insect” through government channels and wrapped in government red tape as a gift to someone else would cost $5.00 ( or more). Is not the wasted dead hand of government ugly to behold?

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