Just a reminder to buy "made in the USA" if you're so inclined.....

http://www.americansworking.com/ :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

...I do it every day. I read every label. Thanks for the reminder to others! :patriot:

Before it is too late.

Don

but when the American version is so grossly overpriced...

Judging from your post count you might be trolling, but in case you're not, one reason US goods cost more is that Chinese workers make $2/day. People who spend all week making your clothes should get paid enough to live on, which since you're probably in favor of health care profiteering, is considerable, compared to the slaves in the Pacific Rim

just stating that not everyone can afford it.

American made products because of the low pay you get or being out of work because of cheap imports.

First pick thing produced or grown locally.

If not available, pick products from your state.

if not available, pick products from your country.

if not available, pick products from a country with the best balance of trade numbers.

are teabaggers. I have zero interest in supporting Palinites.

actually making the stuff.

I make this plea frequently this time of year because I am a crafter.

Virtually every community in the US will be having fairs, boutiques, bazaars of one kind or another. Some will be large and commercial, some will be in private homes. Some will feature juried, hand-made items, some will let in the commercial resellers of imported junk.

If you feel you just have to buy the latest manufactured gizmo, these events will not be for you. But if you're interested in the different, the unusual, the one of a kind, the "this will last forever," then take a stroll through a few of these shows and see what you can find.

Best of all, talk to the people. Find out if they really made the stuff they're selling. As them how they make it, what their inspirations and techniques are. AND EVEN ASK THEM THEIR POLITICS. Not all of them will tell you, but I'll bet if you drop some hints, you'll find out EXACTLY how they feel about issues that matter to you. And then you can buy -- or not -- accordingly.



Tansy Gold

shop local. If I can offer up an example. Our local hardware store has been in business since 1847. When I go into the electrical department I get to talk to an electrician When I go into the gardening department, there is an actual gardener on staff. Try that at Lowe's or Home Depot. If you're lucky enough to FIND an employee AND can get their attention AND can avoid being run down by an errant forklift, good luck in relying on them for their "expertise." Most likely they were hired a half-hour ago for the warehouse but were told to report to the Paint section instead.

Anyway, I find shopping at the Mom-N-Pops is a much more pleasant experience and you get to know the owners and/or clerks on a first-name basis.

We went to Leslie's Pool Supplies and they were less than helpful. We went to our local guy down the block and he showed my husband how to fix the pool cleaner and sold him the parts needed for a lot less than Leslie's. We will never go anywhere else for our pool supplies. Plus the guy is our neighbor. it's so nice to support my neighbors when we all really need it :)

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/w8liftinglady/109

The union prices are comparable to imported...and keep americans at work...it just takes a little research...

But that's not enough. American made products have to be available for me to buy. It has been years since I have seen any clothing (okay clothing in my size) that was made in the USA. I am fortunate that the athletic shoes I wear are the last model of women's shoes made in the USA by the manufacturer. Dress shoes? Forget it! The best I can do for dress shoes is 'made in the western hemisphere'.

I buy US-made products whenever I can, and locally grown food whenever I can.

I can afford to do so. I want to. But so many manufacturing jobs have left the USA for places where people have no choice but to work for nearly nothing, that it is not always possible.

There are a wealth of products that are US made and at no greater cost. The companies swallow the difference as profit and charge what the market rate is even if the workers are paid pennies. If you pick it up and it says "Made in China" or anywhere you prefer not to buy from, just ask yourself, "do I really need this?" Then be sure to point out to the management that the store lost a sale because there were no US made options of that item.