I have a probably dumb question: we buy stuff made in China/Asia/etc.

[mike1963]

(largely from wal mart) that is produced by people getting paid three dollars a month...why do these products cost about as much as equivalent things made in Peoria, Wichita, Akron, etc.?

(Yes, I do realize that the number of 'equivalent products' is diminishing at a frighteningly rapid rate, but the question has to do with the reality of the moment, economically speaking...)