It's simple: Buy American-made products

[Goldstein1984]

We can't rely on a government saddled with free-trade treaties and geopolitical quid pro quo to protect U.S. manufacturing and U.S. jobs. They are paralyzed by their obligations to a more important constituency than U.S. citizens.

We have to do this ourselves, and it's as simple as:

1) Pick up an item in contemplation of purchasing it;
2) Look for "Made in the USA" on the package;
3) Put the item down if a U.S. citizen wasn't involved in its manufacture;
4) Continue shopping, at another establishment or online if necessary.

There could be special consideration for items manufactured in Canada, Great Britain, or other nations with a comparable wage structure and standard of living creating a level economic playing field.

[virgogal]

1. It's virtually impossible to find them.

[Jane Austin]

5. I found a really nice short-sleeved sweater (worn like a tee shirt) made in the

US at Willowridge.com. It's 100% cotton and mine is a light camel color.

They also have made in the US cotton and nylon ladies' briefs.

[virgogal]

35. Thanks for the site recommendation---I will check them out.

[HopeHoops]

6. Oh fucking bullshit. You can even find them at Dollar Tree.

All you have to do is LOOK AT THE LABEL. You can also save a lot of money by putting something back if it says "Made in China" and you don't absolutely need it this red-hot damn second. American made products are usually comparable if not identical in price to the imports. Other than the obvious quality advantage of US made products, the biggest difference is how much sheer profit the importers are making from slave labor overseas.

[Goldstein1984]

10. It's getting more and more difficult, but you can find

Made in USA stuff. You just have to make a point of looking for it.

The "can't find it" meme is one reason people don't even bother trying.

[HopeHoops]

There's a word for the "can't find it" meme - "LAZY"

It doesn't take that much effort to see where something is made. Of course if someone shops in WalMart they need not bother - that's China, Inc.

You can get all kinds of clothing at K-Mart that's US Made. They even have a full line of nylon kitchen utensils (spatulas, etc) that are US Made for 88 cents each. Linens, storage tubs, garden tools (think Ames Tru Temper), plastic wares, all are easy to find made in the USA and at decent prices. "Lazy" is no excuse for buying the first thing you come upon. That is anti-American.

[virgogal]

31. I don't shop at Walmart----or K-Mart and I resent being called lazy.

I rarely buy items for the home(have everything---live in a condo) and have been catalogue/on-line shopping for clothes for about 25 years at Talbot's,Appleseed's,LL Bean,and Land's End. Most,if not all of their clothing is imported and they are not cheap.

I don't buy the first thing I come upon. Who would?. I buy what I want or need and have trouble finding made in USA items.

[elocs]

56. You mean you resent being called lazy by those self-righteous, holier than thou people

who pass judgment on you because you don't live your life the way they think you should? Myself, I can never get enough of that. :bounce:

[virgogal]

68. :-)

[taterguy]

46. Find me a quality bicycle for less than $1,000 made in the USA

Since I'm lazy and you're not, please provide me with some guidance.

[Art_from_Ark]

72. Cannondale bicycles, made in Pennsylvania

http://www.bizrate.com/bicycles-equipment/cannondale-bicycles/

[taterguy]

74. No retailers within cycling distance of my zip code

Nice try though

[Art_from_Ark]

75. You asked for a US-made bicycle for less than $1000

I gave you the information. You could probably order one from some dealer, if you really wanted one.

[DeschutesRiver]

93. I've been on a USA buying kick for several years now, but lazy isn't always the problem

nor is it a Wal-Mart thing, at least not for me, as I don't shop there. It is a "hard to find stuff here because a lot of shit is outsourced now" thing. Yeah, plastics = easy to find made in USA.

Parts for our farm tractor? For the well pump that needed repair? Small consumer trinkets that you can do with out or substitute something for are easy to find now. Competitors know that everyone uses a certain amount of kitchen stuff or light tools, etc, so they've filled the void on that.

But there are lots of things that the rest of America needs to get the job done, and it is a bit harder to find these items. That said, if there isn't an immediate need for me to have product X, and I can't find product X as a made in USA product, I don't buy it. I started buying USA after the pet food recall, and I will never change back.

[Dappleganger]

18. And if the store doesn't have it, ask the management for it...

they need to know that people are asking for 'Made in USA' products!

[HopeHoops]

21. I've made a point of doing that for at least 20 yrs. "Did you find everything you were looking for?

"No, I couldn't find (product)."

"They're in aisle (number)."

"No, there aren't any of those made in the USA."

"I'm sorry, we must not carry any of those."

"Then I'm sorry, you don't get a purchase out of me today."

If enough people hit them with that, they'll get the message eventually.

[Goldstein1984]

25. And hate hearing the answer...

"No, I was looking for XYZ, but I'll just find it online."

[virgogal]

39. Son of a gun,you "look at the label".Gee,that never occurred to me.

[Doremus]

69. Stuff made in Mariana Island sweat shops are tagged "Made in USA."

People are basically kidnapped from third world countries to work in the sweat shops there.

[Taitertots]

7. Then go without it

Edit:
If fair trade alternatives are impossible to find then you should go without the product.

[Goldstein1984]

11. We do that with coffee

We buy Hawaiian coffee, or fair trade coffee.

[Goldstein1984]

8. And becoming worse along with unemployment

It's difficult, especially with electronics, but the patient is bleeding to death. We have to do something.

Google Made in USA. The stuff is out there, at least in some cases.

My wife and I are spending a little more to send Made in USA toys to our new granddaughter, but I wouldn't put anything made in China in her little hands. We won't even put toys manufactured in China in our dogs' mouths.

[HopeHoops]

12. The dog toys from China are toxic waste.

Get natural rope and tie a few knots in it. Dogs love that.

[Goldstein1984]

22. We have working-bred German shepherds

and we go through a lot of US-made cotton rope during bitework.

And I wouldn't buy anything plastic from China that touchs food or that could find its way into a living thing's mouth. The toxicity potential with poor quality control of plastic materials is too high.

[HopeHoops]

64. There IS no "quality control". Good for you on the rope toys. That's what I make.

[Zoigal]

42. Gave a China made toy to a golden retriever for a

gift and he had severe reactions every time he played with it.
Vet said it was probably something on/in the toy that was causing it.
When the toy was taken away, he no longer had any problems.
Would never buy another one unless it's made in the USA.....z

[Dappleganger]

16. I've found Ebay is a good place to look for US merchants.

Many of them have an ebay presence because they are so small. We recently purchased some pine furniture for our oldest son (bed, nightstand and underbed drawers) via Ebay with a small company in Pennsylvania who make it and ship it themselves. Great product and customer service (great prices, too).

[vadawg]

86. furniture wise i like to buy from the local mennonites and amish workmen

their work is superb and they will build what you want to your specs...

[arcane1]

2. Didn't they change the rules while Bush was in office?

So that now, an item can be labelled "Made in USA" even if it was only packaged here..?

[HopeHoops]

9. It still has to say "assembled" if it isn't primarily domestic in origin.

BushCo did manage to get the "Made in USA" stamp approved for Japanese cars assembled here from primarily imported parts.

[Goldstein1984]

15. We reject "Assembled in the USA."

It's just where we've drawn the line.

[C_Lawyer09]

23. A little trinket of knowlede picked up

During the Air Bus vs. Boeing contracting flap. It's b.s. that congress would create a bill such as the buy american act, in which 120 something nations are counted the same as the US when it comes to bidding wars. Frigging ridiculous. Why must they apply simplistic monickers to legislation that bear no truth in labeling whatsoever. What a shame that the large scale buying and selling include hardly any reward for doing the right thing.

[NightWatcher]

3. I'll do you one better, look for the Union label

there was a nice list of union made products floating around here, but I have no idea of where it went off to, but there is a good place to start.

[JCMach1]

83. +1, even if you buy non-U.S. products make sure they are Union

made...

[handmade34]

4. yes, yes, yes!

start co-operatives
buy local
trade/barter
boycott exploitive corporations and businesses
encourage local entrepreneurship
etc...

[Oregone]

13. We have a problem here that requires a government solution

Thats as simple as it can be. Asking struggling Americans (many of whom do not have high paying jobs due to trade policies) to country-shop, instead of price-shop, is utterly unrealistic and a wasted effort.

[rhett o rick]

33. There are good points on both sides. Most Americans, even the struggling ones

buy more material items than they need. I agree that it is only a start, but we need a movement. Buy healthy, buy local, dont buy so much.

[quiller4]

77. That isn't true. We are retired on a smaller budget. For us, buying

US made and union made products is a priority. We shop carefully. We buy some things second hand and we use things longer. I can pay more for USA made shoes (SAS usually) because I care for them and make them last. We drive 2 USA made/union made vehicles. We bought our 150 new in 1995 and we've had our 2000 Chrysler Voyager for only 2 years.

We defer purchases until we can afford what we want and buying USA made, buying local and buying green all factor into our decisions. There is no such thing as being too poor to have principles.

[AdHocSolver]

84. It is mistaken to think that Chinese imports are automatically cheaper than USA products.

Heavily advertised brand name products are often imported from low-wage countries such as China. They are also usually more expensive than house brand products that are made in the US.

A week ago I purchased some dental floss at a local supermarket. They had a "popular" brand made in China. I have used that brand and I don't like it. The popular brand came in a lot of variations (all made in China), and the style I might have purchased was about $4.00 for 30 yards.

Then I spied a house brand of floss made in the USA. The package contained 100 yards for $1.89. It works better for me, and I was able to purchase three times the amount for half the price.

Just because an imported product is manufactured cheaply in low-wage countries does not mean that any savings is passed on to the consumer. Any cost savings to the importer is eaten up by higher profits and a bigger advertising budget. The consumer gets no real benefit from it, but merely assumes that they are paying less. Any lower price on an imported product is usually due to lower quality of materials and workmanship.

It is unfortunate, but true, that one reason shoddy imports are crippling manufacturing in this country is because large numbers of Americans are inept consumers.

The OP is correct. Our Congress is owned by the corporations. If we want to save the U.S. economy and bring jobs back to America, we are going to have to act on our own behalf.

Don't impulse shop. Don't be swayed by heavily advertised brand names. Check out house brands, look for made or assembled in USA labels, or better yet, a union label (if they can still be found).

If you find an American-made item, thank the store management for carrying it. If they don't carry US-made goods, tell the management you want the option of buying American-made products.

If our political votes no longer count, then we must vote with our wallets.

[pipi_k]

14. Not so simple...

I use a lot of yarn for knitting and crocheting. Many times the country of manufacture isn't listed in the ads (I buy online) and I don't know till I receive it what country it's from. For example, last week I just got a big shipment of wool/acrylic yarns made in China.

Another catalog I order from does have USA-made yarn, but they also sell yarns from Italy, Germany, Turkey, Peru, Taiwan, Brazil, Sweden, etc. Some particular yarns can't be gotten except from a foreign manufacturer. And I'm on a fixed income, so I often buy yarns on sale, and have to take what I get.

If someone feels particularly generous and wants to support my knitting habit, or buy the yarn for me, I'll be glad to be more vigilant...

:7

[Goldstein1984]

19. I understand, but we can still do what we can when we can

It is simple to do at least that much.

I have a bad book reading habit. However, except for classical literature, I read no nonfiction, so it's easy for me to find my kind of books printed in the USA or Great Britain (or other level playing field nations). I did send a scolding letter to the author of a science book I refused to buy sometime back (I think it was about spiders) because it was printed in China. I also contacted my entomological network and recommended against buying the book because of the poor quality of printing and binding.

Ya just gotta brighten the corner where ya are.

[pipi_k]

47. I got that book addiction going on too...

won't even bother buying them new. Can't stand the thought of trees being turned into paper on account of me (my way serious guilt complex).

I get mine secondhand, or from the library when I can.

Every little bit really does help.

:)

[Mari333]

17. ..............

http://www.madeinusa.org/

[Mika]

20. Don't forget to ask your dentists if the crowns, bridges, partial & full dentures are US made.

Most of the time they have no friggin idea. A significant amount or restorations, and its growing, are offshore outsourced to China. :mad:

[Goldstein1984]

26. My two gold crowns last year were cast in the USA

I requested it, but didn't need to. They would have been whether or not I asked. My dentist is progressive and health/quality conscious.

[Mika]

50. Good for you, and your Dr.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

---

[C_Lawyer09]

24. Duluth Trading Company gets my vote

Awesome clothes and accessories made in the USA. Super quality, damn good prices.

[Goldstein1984]

28. Ed Schultz promotes this site...

http://www.madeinusaforever.com/

I''l check out Duluth Trading Co.

[MadHound]

27. And if an item that you need isn't made in the US, what are you supposed to do then?

Furthermore let us get to the issue of quality.

I don't make enough money that I can simply buy a product without getting the most for my money. Let me give you an example.

Last spring my trusty Troybilt tiller died after thirty seven years of faithful service. Perhaps I can put it back into working order, but that is going to take tracking down scarce parts or worse yet having them fabricated one off because they're simply not made anymore. A long process at best and meanwhile I need a new tiller.

My single most important qualification is that I want a quality tiller, one that is going to last a long time with few problems. I originally went to my local Troybilt dealer, after all I had good luck with my last Troybilt.

Well, it turns out that Troybilts no longer have a way to shift on the fly from forward to freewheel, you have to stop the machine and remove a pin, move the wheel (on each side) then replace the pin. Awkward and time consuming at best, but hey, I could have lived with it. Secondly, there is a ton of plastic on this machine, gas tank, cowling, engine cover, etc. I've found that plastic on such items tends to break under normal heavy use, one of the things I loved about my old Troybilt is that is was built with solid, thick metal. It could, and did, taking a beating and continue merrily on. What wasn't plastic on this machine was made out of inferior, thin gauge metal that I could tell wouldn't hold up to normal wear and tear.

But what finally made the decision for me was when the dealer went to fire the machine up. He pulled and pulled, it wouldn't start. He primed the carb, pulled and pulled, and it wouldn't start. Finally, on one pull, the plastic gas tank split open, spilling gas all over. Three strikes, no sale.

I went shopping elsewhere, and all I could find was the same lack of quality. Lots of plastic, lots of indicators that the machine was, like so many products today, was made with built in obsolescence. Many of these machines looked like they would die after just five or seven years of use.

So I turned elsewhere and found the machine of my dreams. It was a BCS tiller, or as they termed it, a walk behind tractor. A machine that was almost all metal, thick gauge metal. Had all the features I wanted or needed. Tough, reliable, started on the first pull. It was made in Italy, by the Ferrari corporation, and the price was a bit higher than domestics, but I was willing to pay for it.

I have found that it makes better long term financial sense to pay for the highest quality product you can find. Sure, I could have gotten a tiller for a thousand dollars less than the BCS, but within five years I probably would have been spending more than a thousand dollars on either repairs or even another new tiller.

So my question for you is why should I waste my hard earned, limited funds on sub par products? Because they're made in the USA? You know, US products were once the highest quality products around, but that is no longer the case. I feel no obligation to pay for a sub par product just because of where it's made. In fact I can't afford to pay for a sub par product, no matter where it's made. If a US company wants to get my business (and remember, I'm willing to pay a bit more if it is a quality product) then they need to start making a quality product. It's that simple.

What's not so simple is defining what's American made in some cases, especially cars. Apparently the most American vehicle on the market is a Toyota, based on where it's made, where the constituent components are made, etc. <http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0707>

So if an American company wants my business, they need to earn it, plain and simple. I'm not going to buy crap just because it's American crap, I can't afford that. Make a quality product, and even if it's a bit pricier I will buy it because in the long run quality is always the best policy.

[farmout rightarm]

30. It does seem that American manufacturers have decided price is the only thing consumers care about.

There's no reason we couldn't make televisions...but then it's possible nobody would be willing to pay the higher prices they'd have to charge. If more of us thought as you do, and put quality higher up on the priority list, maybe some companies would take the chance. I'm not sure it will ever happen now, though.

[MadHound]

34. I truly think that corporations would be surprised

If they put quality first, and pushed it hard, I think that they could survive and thrive. Lots of people want to buy American, but they can't find it, and when they do many times it's the same sort of crap that's coming from China.

The business model for the past thirty years or more has been creating products with more and more built in obsolescence. Apparently they think that we must buy the same item every five years, rather than charging a bit more for items that last ten years or more.

I have an antique hobby, one that includes old machinery and old electronics. Some of the most durable construction that this country had was back in the first half of the twentieth century. I've got a battery charger, almost eighty years old that still works just fine, yet have had a couple of other chargers (yes, American made) die within a decade of purchase. That's pretty bad for a product that is of limited use.

If people could get top quality in American made products, I think that they would pay for them. Nobody likes buying foreign stuff, but when it isn't made here, or when what's made here is crap, what are you supposed to do? Waste your money? People simply can't afford that.

[farmout rightarm]

52. Maybe we have so little faith in our future (or that we have one!?) that we want everything

right f------ now and don't even care if it wears out in a year? I really don't understand it. Like your old charger, I have a Hammarlund communications radio (receiver) that was made in 1958 and still works
every bit as well as it did when new, and it is REPAIRABLE! Well, assuming there are still a few spare tubes around...which so far there have been :-)

I don't think there are any TV repair shops left around here...but what would they fix? Like 'repairing' a light bulb...it's technically possible but it sure isn't economically feasible.

[Goldstein1984]

36. I'm not advocating buying American made junk

But I think quality is generally higher for things manufactured in the U.S.

For example, when I learned Schrade was going out of business, and that a Chinese company was going to continue manufacturing the Schrade Uncle Henry line of knives, I purchased three of my favorite style from those still on store shelves. I kept one and gave the others to my two sons. Months later, I saw one of Chinese manufacture in the knife case at Sportsman's Warehouse, and I could tell from ten feet away it was inferior. Up close, I found that it cost half what I paid for my American-made versions, and holding the knife proved the quality was on par with the reduced price. That is, American-made quality had been replaced by Chinese-made junk.

I bought a Toyota pickup, and made sure it was one manufactured in the USA (California, to be exact). The quality is every bit as good as my old Tacoma.

And if you need it, and it isn't made in the U.S., then just buy it from whence it comes. I'm only advocating buying American whenever possible, and I'm certainly not advocating buying junk at all.

[MadHound]

41. Fair enough then,

I've seen some posters on this board that advocate buying junk, any junk, just so long as it has the Made in the USA label.

Sorry to hear about the Schrade knives. If you haven't yet, try out a Gerber blade, made in Portland. Excellent, tough long lasting knife. I bought one well over a decade ago and after years of heavy use it's still going strong.

[Goldstein1984]

49. Gerber makes great blades

I have one of their "survival knives" that I think I've had for 35 years.

[C_Lawyer09]

71. Hell Yes!

The Gerber Leatherman, Gator, and Applegate Fairbarne Combat Folder are just a few examples of great knives made in Portland Oregon. They really set the standard for quality well made and reasonably priced knives. They hold an edge for a very long time, just need to spend some good time sharpening them, for the hard steel.

[Goldstein1984]

73. Proven: Quality knives made in the USA

In our home we also have quality appliances, large and small, made in the USA. My tool box contains tools made in the USA. My fishing tackle is all made in the USA. My bookshelves are full of books printed in the USA or Great Britain.

I believe there are a lot of opportunities to buy American made products of high quality and reasonable prices.

Yes, some things, especially electronics, are not so easily. Clothing appears difficult, but there are options, especially online.

[C_Lawyer09]

78. If you could provide some good fishing tackle brand names

I'd be obliged. Now that I'm in NC I mainly Bass fish, so if you are in Trout, Steelhead, Salmon, territory, as I recently was, never mind. Thanks. Honestly, I've never checked, when buying lures and baits, my bad.

[Goldstein1984]

80. Alaska: Dolly Varden, Grayling...

Salmon fishing is all combat these days, not very relaxing, so I buy my salmon locally.

Mostly I fly fish, and ultralight open-face spinning tackle. When I do my walkabouts, I try my hand with hook, line, local bait, and a willow branch. (Lots of folks carry that stuff in their emergency kits, but most don't have a clueabout how or if they can catch fish with it.)

Ardent and Nautilus are two American brands.

Both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop have American made tackle in their stock. If I remember correctly, some of Cabela's brand is US made.

Also, there are no end to the local custom rodmakers. Just ask them if they use U.S. made blanks and hardware.

I grew up fishing for bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish. I miss that.

[C_Lawyer09]

91. Much Appreciated

I'll put the info to use. I'm a decent Bass Fisherman, not to proficient on the Crappie. A type of fish I love to catch are Warmouth, they're little known. Most think they are a hybrid between a Bass and a Crappie, but actually they just look that way. Hard to find, but you usually can in slow moving tea stained rivers, especially fishing structure like old grist mills, etc. Can't wait until it warms up! Take care.

[Goldstein1984]

99. That's funny, I was not that good at bass, but crappie came easy

Maybe it's where we were doing the fishing.

Oddly, I always did better with crappie away from structures, casting perpendicular to the shoreline.

As a result of a shoulder injury and surgery, it's been a few years since I could handle a fly rod, but I plan to see if I can handle it again this year.

Enjoy

[Jennicut]

29. A good website for finding toys made in the USA: toysmadeinamerica.com

[4dsc]

32. Do your part and boycott Walmart

I love that saying and keep it close. I don't allow my shadow to cross any Walmart thresh hold..

[MadHound]

37. And if that's the only option for thirty miles around?

I try to limit my purchases at WalMart, but the fact of the matter is that out in rural areas they are the only option for certain items unless you're willing to travel a long distance.

So gee, what should I do, pollute the earth some more by driving extra or buy something from WalMart?

[laughingliberal]

40. This straw man every time someone makes this very simple suggestion is irritating

I am sure no one here expects those of limited resources to drive 30 or 80 miles further to avoid Walmart if it is the only choice. But there is nothing wrong with asking those who can to avoid them and to buy American and limit consumerism where able.

[MadHound]

44. You would be surprised,

I've seen people do exactly that, think that others should drive the miles.

[laughingliberal]

48. Well, I'm not one of them because I also believe in driving as little as possible, too

The environmental impact, for one thing but, mostly, I believe in starving the oil companies to whatever extent we can. I think saving a few gallons of gas to go to Walmart if there is no closer outlet is, likely, a wash. That said, I would say whenever you do have to make the 30 mile trip to another business, stock up to the extent you can afford to avoid a trip or 2 to Walmart in the future.

[MadHound]

51. Oh I do, living in the country you have to learn to stock up

But there are those times:shrug: Especially when you're teaching and your class needs some such thing quick.

I believe in starving oil companies also, which is why I ride my scooter a lot. Sure, it's made in India, but it runs at fifty five miles an hour and gets 100mpg. Great little ride, easy on the gas. Trouble is you can't get new Bajaj's here in the US anymore.

[laughingliberal]

54. It sounds to me as if you are balancing things out well withing the constraints of your life

and that is all I, personally, would ask of anyone. Your scooter is made in India and you shop at Walmart. OTOH, you are avoiding feeding the oil companies and you stock up when you are in town at non-Walmart retailers. I'd call that good.

[farmout rightarm]

53. But that isn't the rationale posed by some that I have seen here: that anyone who shops there is

a corporate-shill asshole. shrug.

[laughingliberal]

58. I think each one does what they can. If people shop there because their circumstances (distance)

and limited resources (gas money)dictate it, I have no problem with that. The hope would be they are taking action in other areas to starve this beast. Like not driving much or buying American and somewhere else when able. Every little bit helps.

[farmout rightarm]

62. Yes. That makes sense...thank you.

:-)

[Fire1]

67. I certainly try to buy American but as you know that's

easier said than done. So few items made here. Walmart, no problem and any other retail outlet or product from coompanies that buys dead peasant insurance.

[Goldstein1984]

38. If not because of their high percentage of cheap junk

then because of their business practices and treatment of employees.

I've been on that page for years. I don't shop Sam's Club for the same reason.

on edit: typo fixed

[pamela]

43. Paul Reed Smith Guitars.

Beautiful guitars. Great sound. Made in America.

[PVnRT]

89. So are Gibsons and Fenders

[doc03]

45. Sounds good but I have heard the same argument for like

50 years. The bottom line (most) Americans are selfish and greedy they don't care who made any product unless they made it themselves. Dirt poor out of work Americans will buy the cheapest product they find and never think of the consequences. I worked in a steel mill and the parking lot was full of imported vehicles made from imported steel. The the big three auto companies lobbied the Clinton Administration to persuade him not to put tariffs on illegally dumped steel. They wanted the cheap imports on the market to keep prices down.

[Goldstein1984]

55. You are correct

Avarice and envy have brought us to where we are at:

Treating homes like investments instead of homes = pyramid scheme/housing bubble.

Credit spending to acquire "stuff" to live the American Dream of simulated affluence.

Unions putting the stock market (pensions) ahead of labor.

We got us here, and only we can get us out.

[me b zola]

57. While I agree with the principle, you should be careful about which US companies you buy from

An awful lot of US made products are made by prison (slave) labor. There is a really good video up right now about this:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x432227

[quiller4]

79. I wouldn't call all prison labor "slave labor". A company called

Inside Out had manufacturing facilities at prisons in Washington. All inmates work but those who work at institutional jobs make only $.52-$.79/hour. Those who worked at Inside Out learned a trade and earned $7.50-$9.00/hour.

Reformers booted commercial concerns from our prisons. The prisoners aren't working any less. They are just earning less and they are not learning skills that help them upon release.

I ran a transitional housing program for ex-offenders for a number of years before I retired. I know that inmates really valued the work experience Inside Out offered and were upset when they lost that earning and learning opportunity.

[Brickbat]

59. But it's haaaaa aaaar rrrrrrr rrrrrrr rrrrrr d!

Thanks for posting this. I'm not even reading the comments because I know they're full of apologists, whiners, backsliders, excuses, rationalizations and lies. So thanks for your support and keep fighting the good fight.

[thotzRthingz]

60. i seem to recall this being a familiar theme, over the years, as more

...and more FACTORIES, PRODUCTS and JOBS got shipped out of country.

The above said, bookmark these websites, and PASS THEM ON!

http://www.americansworking.com
http://www.madeinusa.org

(lists of American Made products -- IF SOMETHING IS MISSING -- ADD IT!)

[Johonny]

63. part of the problem

is when this topic comes up. People hate on the American made products. They aren't union, recently fought labor dispute etc... many BUY AMERICA people want total purity or nothing. And thus this topic becomes a little flame and claims nothing is made in America wins out:(

[doc03]

65. Does Toyota ring a bell, up until a couple months ago

Toyota was an example of perfection and American products were garbage. How things change.

[Romulox]

87. Johonny, if I ever buy a Toyota, I will check the VIN and MAKE SURE it was made in *Japan*.

:hi:

[Goldstein1984]

66. Thanks!

I just passed those on to everyone on my Facebook page with a request for them to pass the links along.

[Indy Lurker]

61. Watch your labels

I recently came across some products with a US Flag with small type under it where it would typically say Made in USA. It said God Bless USA.

Upon closer inspection, it was made in China.

[Hello_Kitty]

70. Buy local as much as you can too.

In AZ we have local food growers and producers that I try to support whenever I can. Shamrock Milk, Hickman's eggs, Nana's tortilla chips, and Poore's Potato Chips, for example. You'd be surprised how much food you can get locally made and it's all really good!

[ddeclue]

76. I try but for many products you can't identify the origin any more.

[tomm2thumbs]

81. footballs?

from Britannica Blog:

'The playbook at Wilson Sporting Goods Company in Ada, Ohio, has not changed in years. Every football ever thrown at a Super Bowl has been made there. It’s the sole surviving manufacturing plant in the United States making footballs for high schools, colleges and the NFL. I took my annual trip there Thursday to see Super Bowl XLIV footballs. It’s one of my favorite stories I cover each year for Britannica’s Student News Net.'

Look for the Made in U.S.A. on it though - cuz who knows what the store near you is carrying... it might not be available except in special purchasing locations.



updated to quote source
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/02/still-made-in-america-the-super-bowl-footballs-from-ada-ohio/

[Wilms]

82. .

[lovelyrita]

85. Etsy.com is a great site for finding handmade items.

The vast majority are made in the USA. You can also find people selling goods near your zip code.

[Romulox]

88. All the "lunch box" pre-packaged fruit at my market is Made in China...

Mandarin Oranges (ok, so this is justifiable!)
Peaches
Apple Sauce
Pear slices


Needless to say, processed fruit has been eliminated from my shopping list. But these products are primarily served to children...

[DainBramaged]

90. For those of you who are disbelievers just click here

http://www.madeinusa.org/



John Smith started the day early,
having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 am.

While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking,
he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG),
and put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA),
designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and
tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).

After cooking his breakfast in his new
electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA),
he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO),
to see how much he could spend today.

After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN)
to the radio (MADE IN INDIA),
he got in his car (MADE IN JAPAN),
filled it with GAS (from SAUDIA ARABIA)
to continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.

At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day
checking his Computer (made in MALAYSIA),
John decided to relax for a while.

He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL),
poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE)
and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA),

and then wondered why he can't find
a good paying job in AMERICA.

[FormerDittoHead]

92. How's that been working for 'ya?

Advocacy shopping and the vast majority of boycotts simply don't work.

Reform has to be done at the gov't level. That's when it actually works.

[NNN0LHI]

95. Its been working out real good in Japan and Korea for them. No laws involved. Just smart people

http://autos.aol.com/article/japan-bias

Why Don't We Sell More Cars In Japan?

Chevrolet Sells 1 Vehicle In Japan For Every 400 Toyotas In America

Posted: Oct, 24 2009

In sports as in international trade, it’s the raw figures in the record books that can be the toughest to swallow.

Imagine the Philadelphia Phillies annihilating the Tampa Bay Rays 4,000 to 3 in the final game of the 2008 World Series, and you have something like the U.S. automakers’ success rate in breaking into the Japanese and Korean markets.

It is as though the Arizona Cardinals fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers last February without rushing more than a couple yards or Venus or Serena Williams dropped a U.S. Open match without returning a single serve.

In August, only 192 Fords and 63 Chevrolets and were sold in Japan, roughly the same number as a year earlier, according to the Japanese Association of Automobile Importers. And over the last decade, things have actually gotten worse: The figures were 359 for Ford and 793 for Chevrolet in August 1999.

In 2008, Chevrolet exported exactly one vehicle to Japan for every 400 Toyotas exported to the U.S. Throw in the Japanese firm’s production at its U.S. transplants, and the ratio is even more lopsided: Chevrolet sold one vehicle in Japan for every 1,300 Toyotas sold in the U.S.

Ford sold about 2,500 vehicles in Korea last year, compared to nearly 330,000 Hyundai and Kia vehicles imported to the U.S.

Variations in consumer tastes alone can’t possibly account for differences of that magnitude, even though Asian consumers tend to buy smaller cars than Americans do, critics of U.S. trade policy say. Nor do differences in U.S. and Asian quality levels, when there are any.

While Korea and Japan no longer directly restrict U.S. imports, they do put up barriers to them, said Chris Vitale, president of a Michigan-based group, FairImage.org, which promotes open trade in the auto industry.

"For all intents and purposes, the Japanese market is closed to everyone," Vitale said. "No one gets a foothold."

[FormerDittoHead]

98. Did you read the article you cited?

Vitale and other U.S. critics of Japan and Korea point to "barriers to entry" -- obstacles that may be more effective than tariffs and quotas. They include inspections, complicated distribution systems and taxation.

...

SO LET ME GET THIS: THEIR GOV'T IS CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF THE MARKET.

also good reading:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUKN1519690620100115

"In no sector is the lack of reciprocal market access more apparent than in Japan's and South Korea's auto sector, where market access barriers to U.S auto imports have led to grave auto trade deficits," Representative Sander Levin, chairman of the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee, said in a statement."

No where have I read that American cars are available for purchase in Japan (your example, not mine) without tariffs or other restrictions, but that it was only demand ("Just smart people") which was making them fail.

I drive Japanese cars, and I really don't think this is the best example you could have picked.

But to help you I would cite just about the most effective consumer-driven boycott style plan I've seen was to compel sponsors from dropping Glenn Beck.

But my point is that Glenn Beck is still on the air.

Consumer driven politics simply doesn't change anything. The gov't is there to represent THE PEOPLE, and that's what it should do. That's my point.

[NNN0LHI]

100. It appears you didn't read the article

>>>While Korea and Japan no longer directly restrict U.S. imports, they do put up barriers to them, said Chris Vitale, president of a Michigan-based group, FairImage.org, which promotes open trade in the auto industry.

Vitale and other U.S. critics of Japan and Korea point to "barriers to entry" -- obstacles that may be more effective than tariffs and quotas. They include inspections, complicated distribution systems and taxation. Ironically, U.S. imports to Japan have declined even as more formal, direct barriers like quotas have come down.

Strangely enough, Ford of Japan itself hired the inspectors who put U.S.-made cars through the wringer, turning the local subsidiary into Whitehouse’s chief antagonist. In addition, Japanese government auditors checked the inspectors’ work at regular intervals, Whitehouse said.

The auditors were even tough on vehicles that Ford had given special prepping for the Japanese market, Whitehouse said.<<<

Even the Japanese people who were working for Ford of Japan itself were doing their best to keep Fords out of Japan. The government had nothing to do with that. It would be like an American emoployee of Toyota over here saying this shipment of new Toyotas are unacceptable. But our citizens would never do that. Too stupid.

Don

[howard112211]

94. Yeah. Let's start by not buying foreign petrol at such a cheap rate.

Oh, wait...

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

96. Sorry, but you can pry my prosciutto from my cold dead hands

I understand why buying American-made products is beneficial to the economy, but there are some things that Americans can't reproduce and they include regional food specialties and wines which, in the European Union at least, are protected, such as brie, prosciutto di Parma, parmigiano reggiano, mozzarella, etc.

I still am yet to find comparable made-in-the-USA counterparts that are half as good.

[NNN0LHI]

97. For what they want for imported prosciutto these days they can keep the stuff

I can buy fillet mignon cheaper. About half the price. Ten or twelve dollars a pound for lunch meat? No thanks.

Don

[blueworld]

101. You can't even be sure by the label, but at least it helps

Do you know it's perfectly legal to label products as "Made in US" if the parts are imported & ASSEMBLED here?

It's surely worth a try, but we need some serious label improvements in food & manufactured goods, IMO.