The other side of the coin is that we want that cheap Chinese stuff. if we didn't, Wal-Mart couldn't stay in business. If you'll look at earlier posts I believe you'll find one where I said I hope they move some of this stuff back here to the US, but since I also work in corporate America, I think they'll all end up fighting over the last two Zambians or some such silly strategy in order to keep the labor cheap.
Now most of the RTR line is not this expensive. in fact, this model really should be in their Genesis line. The Kadee equivalent model has been in this price range for a couple of years. I paid $42.00 or so for an SP PS2 covered hopper with an equivalent level of detail a few years back. The Athearn model has etched metal roofwalks, metal grabs and a similar level of detail to their Genesis line and the Kadee model. These details are far and away superior to the old cast on grabs and thick plastic roofwalks of the original BB cars, and you're going to pay for that. Of course you don't have to, but considering they are within $5.00 of Kadee's price for a similar model I don't see how anyone can call this gouging. It's more of a 'you get what you pay for" kind of thing.
You can always get a similar model in kit form from Bowser for $14.00 or so, or an assembled car for $23.00, and you'll have to add metal wheels, Kadees, and you won't get the etched metal walks or wire grabs, or the underbody detail. It's all up to you.