Not sure if it's the "general structure of corporations in the US" nor am I sure if "CEOs etc are by law directed to maximize profits for shareholders".  I don't believe there is any law prohibiting a corporation from losing money (just look at my stock portfolio for some examples!) although I am sure CEO's etc can be sued by the stockholders, but that would be a civil matter.
 
I think this all boils down to good, old-fashioned greed and avarice.
 
Personally, I try to buy from locally-owned stores, and locally-produced goods (from my town or state or region) whenever possible.  I only go to the "big box" stores when I can't find it otherwise.  And, yes, I do sometimes pay more than I would by buying from China.  But it is worth it to support the local economy.
 
I said the same thing years ago when auto-related manufacturing jobs were moving from Ohio to Mexico:  I hope all these auto manufacturers can sell lots of cars to the Mexicans because we sure as heck can't afford them working for minimum wage.

As someone wiser than me pointed out, the economy is being globalized and flattened.  That doesn't mean that we are raising all those other countries up to our standard of living.  Their standard of living will increase, but ours is lowered everytime we lose a higher-paying job to someone willing to work for less.  It will end with the global standard of living somewhere in the middle, and it's going to get worse for us as we continue.
 
Just my US$.02, which you probably get cheaper by outsourcing it.
 
Jim
--- On Mon, 3/29/10, Tracy Pierce <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


From: Tracy Pierce <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Hp 3000 MPE-IX Trainner
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Monday, March 29, 2010, 1:13 PM


I think you have to thank the general structure of corporations in the US.

It's my understanding that CEOs etc are by law directed to maximize profits for shareholders.