Asia-Pacific

China not to blame for US economic woes - Californian voters

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-03 13:50

LOS ANGELES - The economy is a major concern of American voters as they cast their votes Tuesday in the mid-term election. However, as opposed to some politicians, many ordinary Californian voters don't think China should be held responsible for the bad economy in the United States.

Andres Bustamante, an attorney, told Xinhua after voting in Covina that the economy certainly is a key factor when it comes to choosing candidates. However, he said that China and other foreign countries shouldn't be blamed for causing the huge trade deficit and loss of jobs.

"You cannot blame China and other foreign countries for causing our problems. It is bad that the United States is losing many jobs to foreign countries. The reason is clear: American companies will make money, and they will go to where the labor is cheap to cut costs," Bustamante said.

He said that thanks to cheap foreign labor, Americans can enjoy low-priced products. It is therefore unfair to blame China, he argued, adding that Americans should change their lifestyle.

"Americans have wasted so many resources, and now it is time for Americans to change. We should cut our waste, spend less energy and resources," Bustamante said.

Outside a polling station in West Covina, Maria Gutierrez told Xinhua that as far as she knows, ordinary Americans didn't blame China for exporting low-priced products.

There should be fair competition in trade, and there is no way for Americans not to import foreign products, she added.

Upon being asked who caused the bad economy in California, another  voter, who asked not to be identified, told Xinhua that she didn't blame China and other foreign countries.

"I support fair competition in trade. If China provides us with good and cheap products, we will benefit. Why should we object?" she said.

There are currently about 23.4 million Californians eligible to register and vote. Of these, 17.3 million or 73.3 percent are actually on the registration rolls.

The mid-term election was held on Tuesday, and its outcome reflects voters' dissatisfaction with the sluggish economic growth and anemic job market.