July 27, 2007
						Claude Simon
						Veratex, Inc.
						1101 Mount Vernon Road
						Soperton, GA  30457

RE: Editorial: China, Unregulated

Is it naivete or hypocrisy that fuels this editorial?

Just two weeks ago the Editor sang the praises of free trade.  Now the Editor is in favor of tough talk with China.

As a small textile manufacturer, if I were to petition the government for an end to unemployment insurance, liability insurance, FICA, minimum wage requirements, OSHA, the EPA, child labor laws, overtime laws, union laws, fair hiring practices and product safety regulations, not only would I be one nasty human being, but it would be laughable to even the most conservative citizen.   Yet by and large, imported products are manufactured by foreign companies who are not subject to one or more of these legal requirements that make this nation civilized AND increase the cost of U.S. made products.

Does fact that the New York Times is focused on a highly visible, dangerous and emotional manifestation of free trade (lead paint in toys that are sold to American children)  excuse China from providing a safe and clean environment for their workers, an adequate wage, a fair labor bargaining practice, a legal system where individuals and companies have recourse, access to the workplace for handicapped individuals,  financial assistance during layoffs and clean air, water and soil?

The threshold question is simply whether or not the New York Times believes that everyone should play by the same rules. If so, then trade "levelers" (not barriers), whether in the form of legislation, regulation, inspection, negotiation and tariffs are the only means by which we can achieve that goal.

Claude Simon
Veratex, Inc.
1101 Mount Vernon Road
Soperton, GA  30457
Claudesimon@planttel.net
Phone (cell): 1 912 441 0062
Fax: 1 912 529 4746