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It started with the tainted pet food.
Then came the mass recalls of well-known toys: Thomas the Tank Engine, Barbie, Dora the Explorer. Next it was suspected issues with medicine and even candy.
For many Americans, a rash of health scares involving imported goods served as a wake-up call that a surprising number of the products filling our closets, toy chests, medicine cabinets and even pantries are now being made in China, India, Bangladesh, Mexico and other far-off places.
For extreme consumers like Barbara Toncheff, the news was an affirmation of her difficult and often frustrating quest to fill her house with items made in the United States. “I was raised to support your country,” Toncheff said recently. “July Fourth should truly mean independence. We shouldn’t become dependent on the rest of the world.”
While events like last year’s import scares and the 9/11 terrorist attacks may occasionally prompt Americans to look more closely at labels, Toncheff is part of a small group of Americans who have made it their mission to buy American-made products whenever possible.
Seeking out products on Web sites such as “How Americans Can Buy American” and “Still Made in USA,” plus auction forums such as eBay, these dedicated shoppers also trade tips on how to find American-made pants and bags, and they lament the loss of American factories that once churned out their favorite pots, glassware and other household staples.
American-made items, they believe, are more likely to be safer and higher in quality. They say buying American is better for the country because it keeps jobs and money within our borders. And, they say, buying American is easier and more cost-effective than you might think, if you know where to look.
“People can complain, well, 97 percent of the clothes we buy in the United States are imported. Well, I know where to find the 3 percent,” said Roger Simmermaker, who runs the “How Americans Can Buy American” Web site and has a how-to book by the same name. “Awareness is the key.”
Simmermaker began his quest to find American-made products in the early 1990s, when he was struck during a trip to a Florida mall by how difficult it was to find an American-made shirt. His site mixes commentary (topics include “America’s fastest-dying industries” and “How to stop China from stealing our jobs”) with straightforward lists of products and their countries of origin.
Still, even Simmermaker concedes that you can’t buy everything from American companies, especially if you enjoy watching movies on a DVD player, using a clock radio or talking on the telephone.
That’s not surprising. The United States has been operating at a trade deficit since the 1970s, importing more goods and services into our country than we export elsewhere. The trade deficit has widened significantly in the past decade, ballooning from about $108 billion in 1997 to $708 billion in 2007, as more and more companies turn to cheaper overseas labor to produce stuffed animals, jeans, blood thinners and even organic produce.
Henry Paciullo isn’t the type of guy who tends to shop much, so he didn’t even really notice the trend toward imported goods until about four years ago. That’s when it hit him that whenever he went to a typical chain store, it seemed nearly impossible to find American-made clothes for himself or toys for family members. The 40-year-old Long Island native turned to the Web in search of American products, and soon he’d discovered American-made shoes, bags and other items.
“Once you start looking and you have a little patience, you can find what you want,” he said.
Still, he concedes that it’s easier to make the commitment to buy American because he doesn’t have kids. This past Christmas, Paciullo bought domestically made wooden toys for his nephews, but they were a tough sell in an age when kids want electronic gadgets that are made overseas.
“If I did have kids, I would try to educate them,” he said.
Raised in a family of war veterans and union workers, Toncheff, who is 50, can’t remember a time when her family didn’t just try to support American businesses but, preferably, those near her home in the Cleveland, Ohio, area.
When she shops for food, Toncheff favors the grocery store that uses unionized workers. Perusing the shelves, she seeks out brands she thinks are most likely to be domestically produced. Her produce comes from the farmer’s market and her bread is from a local baker. She prefers California wine over imports.
Even her dogs, cat and horse eat American-made pet food from the local feed store. Her furniture, knickknacks and other decorative items are from the local Amish community, various American antique dealers and people selling on eBay. Often, Toncheff buys used items because the new versions are imported.
For a recent kitchen remodel, she relied on stones from the local Amish community and pressed aluminum from an Ohio company.
To her, being patriotic with your dollars is similar to being patriotic in a time of war.
“If you can stick up for your country and risk your life, why the heck can’t you stick up for your country when you go to the store?” she asked.
There’s no doubt Toncheff’s commitment is impressive, but some question whether it makes economic sense. Brian Bethune, U.S. economist with Global Insight, thinks some people pay too much attention to the issue of Chinese imports, when the effect of those goods pales in comparison to the major contributor to America’s trade deficit: those billions of dollars in petroleum imports that are imported to satisfy our thirst for oil.
“That’s the main problem on the trade deficit,” Bethune said. “These other issues are really very small in order of magnitude.”
Americans could make a major impact on the trade imbalance by relying more on alternative forms of energy such as solar or geothermal, or by reducing consumption, Bethune said. But in the meantime, if Americans really want to commit to buying American, perhaps they should start by getting a bike – or a bus pass.
“Every time you turn on your car you’re creating a problem with the trade deficit,” Bethune said.
For people like Toncheff and Paciullo, there is some good news. If you exclude oil imports, Bethune notes that the trade deficit actually appears to be improving. That’s partly because the slumping economy is crimping U.S. consumption of imported items, while the weak dollar is boosting the attractiveness of American-made products.
Nevertheless, there are still many items that are almost impossible to find domestically, and sometimes even someone as committed as Toncheff has to give in. Recently, she fell in love with a set of dishes that she suspects are made overseas, to replace the mishmash of everyday plates and bowls she’d been using. And when her old RCA television gave out, she knew there was little hope of finding an American-made replacement.
“Sometimes I feel like my back is against the wall and I’ve gotta have something, and I think, ‘This really stinks,’” Toncheff said.
If she absolutely can’t find an American-made version of an item, Toncheff will at least try to support a U.S. company that is manufacturing its products overseas. But overall, by limiting herself to American-made products she also just buys less.
“I’m not a big shopper like I used to be because I was turned off,” she said. “I hang onto stuff until it goes kaput.”
As it turns out, making the commitment to buying American is for many people also an austerity plan.
When River Skybetter can’t find an American-made version of an item of clothing she wants, the first thing she does is stop and think, ‘Do I really need this?’
“Usually, the answer is no,” she said, and that’s often the end of that.
“If I can’t find it made here, I’m probably not going to buy it,” she said. “I’m pretty sick of the way consumerism has just taken over our country.”
Skybetter, who is in her 40s, began a more serious commitment to buying domestic products a couple years ago after she started to see the effects outsourcing seemed to be having on America’s middle class.
“I decided, I can’t change the world, but I can, at least with my money, decide where I want my dollars to go, and I don’t want my dollars to go for slave labor. I don’t want my dollars to contribute to global warming,” she said.
Turning to the Internet, she found American-made products on forums devoted to such seemingly far-flung causes as veganism, anti-sweat shop work and union advocacy. Skybetter, who lives in Los Angeles, said she was surprised at how much was out there, once she knew where to look.
Sometimes, she said she does make compromises, such as buying clothes that may not be the exact fabric or shade she wants because they are made domestically. But she thinks the items last longer and are of higher quality. She said she often finds bargains, especially if she scouts out sales, and thinks that for the most part she’s not spending more money than she would otherwise.
“It’s just a very different way of thinking,” she said. “You may not be able to find everything you want, or exactly what you want, but I feel better about what (I’m buying).”
Skybetter also makes sure her fruits and vegetables are grown domestically, if not locally, and she plans to buy an American car in a few years to replace her Toyota (she’s hoping Chevrolet’s electric Volt will be available). She was thrilled recently to discover a company that assembles computers domestically.
Still, her television is growing old as well, and Skybetter knows she’ll likely have to buy a replacement that is made overseas.
“This is the kind of thing where you pick your battles,” she said.
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{"commentId":1823504,"authorDomain":"beanchihuahua"}
I buy New Balance shoes because they are made in the USA--albeit from imported materials. I wish the food companies would list their foods origin rather than just saying "Distributed in USA". I would like to know where my food comes from!
A huge kicker is the purported controversy surrounding imported meds i.e. buying them from India. I had a prescription for diflucan once and was dispensed the generic from which was MADE IN INDIA..guess where I had it filled? A military hospital!!!
{"commentId":1823504,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"beanchihuahua"}
#26 - Tue May 20, 2008 6:35 PM EDT{"commentId":1989756,"authorDomain":"maandpaperks"}
Better check that out...some of their shoes are made in China...I used to buy New Balance all the time, but they have changed!
{"commentId":1989756,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"maandpaperks"}
{"commentId":1823619,"authorDomain":"heather40444"}
To the people that put out this survey... THANK YOU!!! More Americans need to start supporting buying american products or else where in the heck are our children going to work. Please put more surveys out like this, only clarify where the products are made.
{"commentId":1823619,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"heather40444"}
- 1 vote
#27 - Tue May 20, 2008 6:59 PM EDT{"commentId":1823694,"authorDomain":"craig-beitzel"}
I desperately try to find & purchase America-made products. When I go to Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, especially Wal-Mart...I just get frustrated. Most products Are from China, and of poofr quality. I have chosen to just wait until I find a better product made in America, at a higher price...or do without. It is one additional way to help our economy, rather than China's.
{"commentId":1823694,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"craig-beitzel"}
#28 - Tue May 20, 2008 7:19 PM EDT{"commentId":1823697,"authorDomain":"berg-eeg"}
How do you define "American company? Is it:
1) a company who's corporate offices are in America?
2) a company who has to pay American taxes on their gains?
3) a company who practices all of the above but use foreign offices, factories, and distributors, and workers, and eliminate Americans from their jobs, instead of paying standard union wages, accepted standard pay levels for a certain job as established by salary surveys, etc, or legal minimum wage?
I am a major advocate for the inclusion of international diversity and the rights of every race and country origin to prevail in America; however, I think American companies should hire American citizens, or, people with llegal American working papers, whatever their nationality. There is also the practice of hiring NEW, LEGAL immigrants who are blown away/amazed by the high salares compared to their poorer countries and who will accept a much lower rate of pay. Administrators often take advantage of this phenomenon, and hire new legal immigrants, because they will be so grateful for a very low pay, as it is much more than they would make in their country of origin. This often leads to administrators hiring unqualified, uncredentialled people, if they can get away with it in any possible way, and resentment by more qualified workers who have lost their jobs. I admit I don't see things from a businessman's/ enterpreneur's point of view, but look what this has done to our country's workers? So many factories first went down South, because the Big bossses knew people would work for less down there, and then when they found a cheaper way, they took all the jobs to Latin America, or India, etc, because workers would work for 1/4th of the pay. We also have to remember that each nationality of our country as a whole, except the native American groups came from other places to settle here, so every group has a right to be an American. I even challenge the native Americans with the fact that the Hawaiians originally mostly paddled and sailed over from Tahiti, and the Indians obviously came from somewhere else, also, as we ALL originally came from the people who populated the region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, co-incidentally(??!!) where Adam and Eve were supposed to have started their family. The people who start hating Mexicans, or Vietnamese, or Somalian people who get good jobs really have to put blame on the business owners who violate worker's rights or the concepts of Social Justice, (fairness). Equal pay for equal work, I say. If American business continues to feed other countries instead of our own, we soon won't have an America. I feel that job descriptions and levels should, in many ways, be standardized so that there cannot be this move of finding someone who can do the job cheaper and getting rid of the long time worker who was counting on getting the retirement plan he worked for, often putting up with unreasonable or ineffective, unqualified or unfair lower or middle management, depending on the belief that they were making their families economically secure for the future. It's a milestone in maturity- how much crap I am milling to take for the deferred gratification of financial security for my children and spouse? All working adults learn this lesson to an extent. Then, at any moment , some administrator's whim can wipe it all away. There used to be more honor for loyal, hard workers in a company. Those days have gone it seems, Everything is the bottom line, and admin doesn't seem to be able to ever include sucking in THEIR belts or salaries- it's all the people underneath.
{"commentId":1823697,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"berg-eeg"}
- 2 votes
#29 - Tue May 20, 2008 7:20 PM EDT{"commentId":1823716,"authorDomain":"berg-eeg"}
How do you define "American company? Is it:
1) a company who's corporate offices are in America?
2) a company who has to pay American taxes on their gains?
3) a company who practices all of the above but use foreign offices, factories, and distributors, and workers, and eliminate Americans from their jobs, instead of paying standard union wages, accepted standard pay levels for a certain job as established by salary surveys, etc, or legal minimum wage?
I am a major advocate for the inclusion of international diversity and the rights of every race and country origin to prevail in America; however, I think American companies should hire American citizens, or, people with llegal American working papers, whatever their nationality. There is also the practice of hiring NEW, LEGAL immigrants who are blown away/amazed by the high salares compared to their poorer countries and who will accept a much lower rate of pay. Administrators often take advantage of this phenomenon, and hire new legal immigrants, because they will be so grateful for a very low pay, as it is much more than they would make in their country of origin. This often leads to administrators hiring unqualified, uncredentialled people, if they can get away with it in any possible way, and resentment by more qualified workers who have lost their jobs. I admit I don't see things from a businessman's/ enterpreneur's point of view, but look what this has done to our country's workers? So many factories first went down South, because the Big bossses knew people would work for less down there, and then when they found a cheaper way, they took all the jobs to Latin America, or India, etc, because workers would work for 1/4th of the pay. We also have to remember that each nationality of our country as a whole, except the native American groups came from other places to settle here, so every group has a right to be an American. I even challenge the native Americans with the fact that the Hawaiians originally mostly paddled and sailed over from Tahiti, and the Indians obviously came from somewhere else, also, as we ALL originally came from the people who populated the region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, co-incidentally(??!!) where Adam and Eve were supposed to have started their family. The people who start hating Mexicans, or Vietnamese, or Somalian people who get good jobs really have to put blame on the business owners who violate worker's rights or the concepts of Social Justice, (fairness). Equal pay for equal work, I say. If American business continues to feed other countries instead of our own, we soon won't have an America. I feel that job descriptions and levels should, in many ways, be standardized so that there cannot be this move of finding someone who can do the job cheaper and getting rid of the long time worker who was counting on getting the retirement plan he worked for, often putting up with unreasonable or ineffective, unqualified or unfair lower or middle management, depending on the belief that they were making their families economically secure for the future. It's a milestone in maturity- how much crap I am milling to take for the deferred gratification of financial security for my children and spouse? All working adults learn this lesson to an extent. Then, at any moment , some administrator's whim can wipe it all away. There used to be more honor for loyal, hard workers in a company. Those days have gone it seems, Everything is the bottom line, and admin doesn't seem to be able to ever include sucking in THEIR belts or salaries- it's all the people underneath.
{"commentId":1823716,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"berg-eeg"}
- 1 vote
#30 - Tue May 20, 2008 7:25 PM EDT{"commentId":1823817,"authorDomain":"camerafixer"}
It seems to me that china, with their billion-plus population, has a sufficient market unto themselves, without having to foist their second-rate crappolla off on the rest of the world.
I wish to relate a story about a major brand of electric motors which were marketed for industrial and other applications by a former employer. these motors were, and likely still are, "assembled in mexico"
I cannot say where all the component parts for these motors were produced. Likely in their own factories all over the continent.
Then there is the expense and logistics involved in mustering all these parts together, and shipping them down to the mexico assembly plant.
Once the parts are there, the lines of motors, anywhere from 40 HP 3 - phase industrial, to small universal motors for things like your vacuum or food processor, are assembled into their respective products.
Then comes the expense and logistics of shipping the finished goods to wherever................
The part that grinds my grits, is that there was, and likely still is, a 50 per-cent failure rate !!
Now watch this............for example: A printing company shuts down a producing press, to replace a motor. Done deal, right ? No. two days later, the motor pukes yet again, and they are saddled with more down time...............and they are not happy campers.
Extrapolate that scenario into how many thousands of other items that are now produced elsewhere................. and false economy rears its ugly head, and bites you right on the a... !!
Captains of industry !!! Please wake up and smell the coffee willya ? !! ? Your decision to "outsource" your factory facilities and labor, is not doing what you planned !!
You are destroying the finest industrial base this world has ever known !! So what if American labor cost a little more ?
Rant over. prove me wrong !!
{"commentId":1823817,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"camerafixer"}
#31 - Tue May 20, 2008 7:59 PM EDT{"commentId":1823843,"authorDomain":"esbee"}
they say things made in the USA cost more
not so....i bought a coffe thermos cup made in usa 4.99
the same thing made in china 10.99
also check out the USDA program that will kill the buy local market
see nonais dot org to find out about how those who own even one chicken or pony or pig will be under closer govt surveillance than sex offenders by having to report their animals' movements to the govt, register their premises just so agri-biz can sell on the global scale.
{"commentId":1823843,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"esbee"}
#32 - Tue May 20, 2008 8:09 PM EDT{"commentId":1823986,"authorDomain":"1brad"}
the problem also go's like this.....NASCAR fans are upset that toyota is now allowed....but when you look into it, you find out that they are the only car in nascar built in the USA,chevy ford and dodge are made in Mex and can. also you people need to see the difference between made in USA and made in america... ALL of north and south America is America...think about it.........ford Chev and dodge don't support us workers only Toyota does...so what if a small amount per car goes to japan at least OUR middle class is working
{"commentId":1823986,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"1brad"}
{"commentId":1827772,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
Were they the exact same product from the same company?
I mean, I can buy a car made in America... but compared to a car made in Germany or Japan, it may be significantly different if quality and features.
{"commentId":1827772,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1824062,"authorDomain":"mickeymouse39"}
Profit is not the only reason that some companies leave the U.S. Probably one of the biggest is the cost of our EPA, OSHA, and other alphabets that have regulated companies out of business or country.Not that all of these regulations are bad, I work in a chemical plant and am glad for some of the regs. Another reason is the ease of filing lawsuits against companies. Granted some products have been sold knowing they are harmful, i.e. cigarettes, but others weren't, based on our level of scientific data at the time. It is hard to watch manufacturing jobs leave our country, but I believe like some of you, it is our own fault. Either we sat by and did nothing when things like NAFTA were passed or we bought cheaper things made elsewhere. For an example, why did gas have to hit $4 before people started hollering about gas mileage, greener cars, more refineries and drilling here in the U.S.? Is nuclear power as bad as some would have us believe and are some of the newer sources as safe as claimed? Another thing that gripes me is corn and soy based ethanol. It uses as much oil to make it and gives off even more co2 when you factor in the long run, never mind what it does to food prices.
{"commentId":1824062,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"mickeymouse39"}
- 1 vote
#33 - Tue May 20, 2008 9:11 PM EDT{"commentId":1824157,"authorDomain":"TYB"}
The path that I took led me to create a website, www.bubbelove.com which features quality Made in America products. You mentioned several sites of interest which are familiar to me. The public needs to hear more about the availability of US made products. We need to support those manufacturers. And contact the companies where you shop to ask them for 'American Made'. Clothing, toys and food processing are just the beginning. We have free speech.....we can make a difference!
{"commentId":1824157,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"TYB"}
#34 - Tue May 20, 2008 9:39 PM EDT{"commentId":1824285,"authorDomain":"jabryant"}
This article has my heart racing. It is great to hear that others are really beginning to feel the importance of supporting our own country and economy, as well as questioning the safety of products made in countries with different standards than our own. With the recent recalls and questionable practices of overseas companies, I found myself looking for American-made items; specifically toys, clothes and other products for my baby. I feel that young children are at such risk, it was important to start there. My search was long and frustrating, and I wished there was one place to find it all. I thought others must feel the same way, so I began my company, All-American Baby (all-americanbaby.net), which sells only USA-made baby and children's products. I know it is not practical to think that someone could buy American-made for everything, but I felt that if it was easier to find these quality products in one place, maybe more people would make that decision. It has been well-received, but definitely challenging to stick to my mission of carrying only American-made products. Hopefully with more recognition of these issues, more jobs and products will come back to our soil.
{"commentId":1824285,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"jabryant"}
- 1 vote
#35 - Tue May 20, 2008 10:27 PM EDT{"commentId":1824498,"authorDomain":"alolson"}
Now, THIS is what I call putting your money where your mouth is!
My search was long and frustrating, and I wished there was one place to find it all. I thought others must feel the same way, so I began my company, All-American Baby (all-americanbaby.net), which sells only USA-made baby and children's products.
Great idea, Jen. How is your business doing?
{"commentId":1824498,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"alolson"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1826407,"authorDomain":"tang"}
Jen6404, while we don't allow posts that are designed specifically to promote businesses or services, your story is so relevant to the discussion and to our month long series on consumerism at msnbc.com that we would greatly appreciate it if you'd write an article describing your experience as an entrepreneur. Please tell us your story about starting your business, the reasons why you did it, the challenges you've faced and the things you've learned as a result. You can write this article by visiting this page.
If and when your article goes live, drop me a line and we will be happy to feature it on msnbc.com.
Welcome to Newsvine,
Calvin
{"commentId":1826407,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"tang"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1824296,"authorDomain":"ambizione"}
Lynn, I agree with you whole-heartedly!
Check out the thought provoking 3 part perspective from The Patriot Post.us on Obama...
"No ObamaNation"
Part 1: Barack who? : Alexander's essay vol. 08, No. 15, 11 April 2008
Part 2: Disciple of Hate : Alexander's essay vol. 08, No. 16, 18 April 2008
Part 3: Another Marx brother : Alexander's essay vol. 08, No. 17, 25 April 2008
Take Care/God Speed,
Michelle
{"commentId":1824296,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"ambizione"}
#36 - Tue May 20, 2008 10:31 PM EDT{"commentId":1827778,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
Marked as advertising.
{"commentId":1827778,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1824371,"authorDomain":"kellyrettig"}
Be advised: This book highlights companies are made by American companies, NOT made in America! The American rich get richer and the jobs are overseas! The middle class is fading. Try to support companies who make jobs here in America, that means 'made in America' not made by American Companies. The book this was taken from is misleading!
{"commentId":1824371,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"kellyrettig"}
#37 - Tue May 20, 2008 10:52 PM EDT{"commentId":1824489,"authorDomain":"soozanmaxwell"}
If the product is made in the US but the company is owned by a company from another country but then the machinery used to produce the product has components from here and there - Well it gets confusing. I try to buy US good for safety reasons.
{"commentId":1824489,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"soozanmaxwell"}
#38 - Tue May 20, 2008 11:40 PM EDT{"commentId":1824562,"authorDomain":"TERRI-USA"}
I will not buy anything that not American made unless it is a due or die situation, My purchases are 99% American made products, that means I WILL do without. In purchasing dress shoes, I had to compromise, yet I had to really come up with some money and I barely did to purchase a pair of athletic shoes made in U.S.A. (New balance), I did not purchase the New Balances that were imported. I will seek out clothing made in U.S.A. about 89% of them is made domestically. I have acquired old telephones, so I can utilize a phone made in the U.S.A., I even got an older computer Keyboard, so I will utilize one Made in U.S.A. just to name a few.
I do not support Wal-Mart and avoid it like a plague. The only thing I purchase there is photograph albums because there still have made in U.S.A.
It sickens me of all the outsourcing and our government does not discourage it, yet promotes it with unfair trade agreements.
The only trade we need is equal trade, thus if we buy 1 millions dollars of Chinease goods, then China would have to buy 1 million dollars of American made goods before we can accept more goods from them, that would bring balance, therefore China could send us anything else until the trade deficit goes to zero, like wise other countries too. This would the only way free trade can work and will work and will not cause outsourcing to transpire, because if the trade become offbalance then there offshore factory would have to wait until the balance is made therefore cause them from not be able to sell the outsourced products here until trade rule is satisfied, there for if they want is available here to sell they must make it here.
Bush/McCain are supporters of NAFTA (Now Another Foolish Trade Agreement) as I see it, and McCain will continue to support unfree trade. Anyone whom supports unfree trade is not supporting Americans, yet only the corporate sector.
American companies "needs to focus on making products and not profits; and not making money for American families and not the CEOs"
Profits of coarse need to be made, yet they do not have to earn billions, that means they are charging too much for their products and in most cases have closed domestic manufacturing and have id made offshore. The profits are now more important that the quality of both product and people, it all about money and not about promoting the standard of living for the American families.
The trade deficit did not start because foreign companies started to ship goods here, it was the American companies that went there to manufacture and ship here, so now foreign companies has since then become in existence due to the American presents there, empowering them to manufacture on their own by our own corporations.
I was born in 1976, but I have always heard that outsourcing commenced at a great level in the 1970s.
Wal-Mart has made a move to pressure companies to outsource in the 1990's.
I love Easy Street shoes and they themselves commence outsourcing. It made me sad when I viewed the old manufacturing facility in Somersworth, NH of which were the corporate headquarters are across the street on virtual earth satellite photograph.
I remember reading about Lionel, went to Mexico in 1983 and so much opposition existed, they moved back to Michigan in 1984, then in 2000 they relocated manufacturing to China and very little repercussion existed, we have come a long way.
I believe American need to create a nation wide boycott on foreign made products like I have and many other, yet it will take all of us to make a stand and a voice. I know it would made pro-unfair trade Bush/McCain made since it will disrupt the economy, yet it is no longer a choice, we must speak out with our money to show we mean business before our government put us completely out of business!!!!
IF IT IS NOT AMERICAN MADE, THEN IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
{"commentId":1824562,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"TERRI-USA"}
- 1 vote
#39 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:11 AM EDT{"commentId":1824597,"authorDomain":"BW-USA"}
There are some products that are typically from other countries, such as olive oil. It is just a given that, if you purchase olive oil, it is imported. Many other food products are now imported, such as apple juice or shrimp. It has become necessary to read labels in order to prevent buying such imported products.
If we can't trust China to produce lead-free toys, what makes you think buying juice or other food products from China is safe? I do not believe in taking jobs away from United States citizens and giving them to people of other countries. I do NOT believe in supporting communism, which is what is happening every time you purchase a product of China.
I believe you are fooling yourself if you believe that you are not paying American prices for foreign goods. Stores sell foreign products for American prices, but by selling you products produced in foreign nations they are making a HUGE profit. A couple years ago, there was a documentary on television in which one of our nation's largest retailers was named as having told American companies to send their production to China so that the retailer could make 80-90% profit. You are paying the price of American made products for forgein made products, but giving retailers a larger profit for their stock holders. Jobs in the United States are being lost to greed, the love of money, the love of a high profit.
It is time to become an educated consumer. It is time to stop taking jobs away from your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. Our country was once the world leader in producing food and going to the aid of other countries in need. If the jobs continue to be sent to other countries for the sake of profits, who do you believe will eventually be the ones in need of food and other aid?
{"commentId":1824597,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"BW-USA"}
- 1 vote
#40 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:27 AM EDT{"commentId":1826129,"authorDomain":"d-kulka"}
Actually there is a competing olive oil company here in Arizona, Where Olive trees are prolific. I read about it in our local newspaper. There are also some shrimp farms, I believe in the Yuma area. I will check out the olive oil company and advise.
Talk about oil, crude oil and the evil in being perpetrated on consumers by the oil companies. First , the oil companies reduced their refineries to create an oil supply situation. What they are doing today is out and out thievery.
#64, same argument I had a few years ago, Selling foreign products does not make up for the loss of american manufacturing and service centers we have lost. I think that our image can be improved in other ways than giving our resources away.
{"commentId":1826129,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"d-kulka"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1828711,"authorDomain":"TERRI-USA"}
You are right (Wal-Mart), says they are trying to saver Americans money, but they are not trying to save our jobs. They manipulate the supplies to take control of their pricing, cause the company either quit selling there or go offshore. Years ago when I was at Wal-Mart to buy some photograph albums (Made in U.S.A), I see if they had a glue gun made in U.S.A., yes they did, I however noticed that one package had an American flag on it with "U.S.A" on it and another package was exactly the same instead it did not have the "U.S.A." and the product was identical, well needless to say the package without "U.S.A." on the front was made in China, The workers at the Wytheville, VA glue gun plant are out of work, yet the price of the glue gun is the same as it American made counterpart. Now Wal-Mart is enjoying greater profits from this product.
I read that toys have from a 500% top 600% mark up at Wal-Mart now is Wal-Mart really trying to save American money or make a greater profit on American spending.
Lastly on a laughable not, even though nothing here is a laughing matter (true story).
A colleague at work Had a pencil that was "made in China" and it had no lead in it, he broke the pencil all the way to the eraser and no lead to be found, I said " they must used up the lead on the toys"
{"commentId":1828711,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"TERRI-USA"}
{"commentId":1828801,"authorDomain":"erin-miller11"}
In hearing the word "wal-mart" my ears perked up because the company also supported amnesty. Not because they are a benevolent company that wants to give opportunities to those oppressed in other countries- but because they can then get their labor even cheaper(if you can imagine) and put more money into the upper echelon's pockets. What a concept- they're saving us money- ha! One of these days I am going to get the gumption to protest Wal-Mart- stand outside their land and hold up signs for all to see the exploitation they commit. Maybe you'll see me on the news getting arrested soon...hmmm
{"commentId":1828801,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"erin-miller11"}
{"commentId":1824633,"authorDomain":"dbrack"}
Wow Lynn and Michelle,
I missed the earlier rant. Those freedoms Lynn talks about losing are already gone....see Military Commissions Act of 2006. We are all free only until the president decides we are not and terms us an unlawful enemy combatant (at the pres or sect. of defenses discretion...any pres..McCain, Hillary, Barak, whoever)...but don't worry, it is the Law of the Land now (read it for yourself if you think i exaggerate, and I hope you prove me wrong). Plus, about his upbringing...his father raises him in a muslim country juxtaposed to another president's father (and the son) who have some deep roots with the Saudi Royal Family... does Saudi influence have any influence on our policy? The Saudis seem to have our ear alot...hhmmm...but all this is pointless based on the story we are all commenting on.
Michelle,...that is some partisan stuff - not a particularly fun read. Nothing like tearing a person apart with a long missive with a picture of the Constitution in the background - seems to me to imply whoever disagrees does not support the Constitution...that is why they use the image.
Anyway, try and buy American and pressure American companies to support their Country, as well.
{"commentId":1824633,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"dbrack"}
#41 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:43 AM EDT{"commentId":1824945,"authorDomain":"johnharrison"}
This is ridiculous - by buying imported things you are helping the Americans who are selling them! And how about Toyota cars that have many/most of their insides made in America, by Americans, and also support hundreds of American suppliers?? What about a shirt made in America but made out of Egyptian cotton??? Is that American? And American exports to other countries do a lot of good to promote our image in the world.
{"commentId":1824945,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"johnharrison"}
#42 - Wed May 21, 2008 6:12 AM EDT{"commentId":1824985,"authorDomain":"strongunit1959"}
This is rich. People freak out over shrimp raised in Thailand costing $6.99 but when it comes to buying a $39,000 car made in Japan, Korea, or Germany, they don't think twice.
{"commentId":1824985,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"strongunit1959"}
#43 - Wed May 21, 2008 6:51 AM EDT{"commentId":1827789,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
The falsely think that all shrimp is the same.
They can see the clear differences in the cars. There are few American cars that I would even consider owning, and they're out of my price range. No matter the price range you choose, there is always a better foreign car available for that price.
{"commentId":1827789,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1825358,"authorDomain":"wwwmacmillan"}
Every day we vote with our dollars. If you shop at businesses that give their workers fair wages and insurance, this will help your community the most in the long run. This is voting for your neighbors, no matter where the product was made (although it's great if it's local/regional, too).
{"commentId":1825358,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"wwwmacmillan"}
- 1 vote
#44 - Wed May 21, 2008 8:53 AM EDT{"commentId":1825527,"authorDomain":"quixiotic"}
Being military overseas I can honestly say the few American items they sell on base suck. Plain and simple, the clothes which tout "Made in America" bleed their red/white/blues all over my socks, the furniture that is sold from Americans are always deformed, missing pieces, etc. And don't get me started on the food. My commissary can save me money by selling me food (imported from America) that's passed it's sell by date or within a few days of it. The only dependable products I am able to buy while ever here is the local goods.
{"commentId":1825527,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"quixiotic"}
- 2 votes
#45 - Wed May 21, 2008 9:28 AM EDT{"commentId":1825653,"authorDomain":"highlander39"}
I am curious-
If oil is the primary reason for a trade deficit, why is it that the hippies and tree huggers,
consistently demand that our push over congress not drill and seek out the vast wealth of oil
and other natural resources we have in our own once great nation?
makes no sense what so ever.
{"commentId":1825653,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"highlander39"}
#46 - Wed May 21, 2008 9:51 AM EDT{"commentId":1827793,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
Oil isn't the primary reason for the trade deficit.
{"commentId":1827793,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1826050,"authorDomain":"mikeyoete"}
Unfortunately the Japanese government unlike the American government has put quality standard laws into their automobiles. Since the American automakers obviously won't set the standards for themselves, especially with fuel efficient cars people are going to buy imported. Since Americans want good paying jobs but won't pay those other products will be imported. All of this burning more oil in our cargo ships to bring these products over here.
{"commentId":1826050,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"mikeyoete"}
#47 - Wed May 21, 2008 11:12 AM EDT{"commentId":1827798,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
Actually, most car companies have opened up plants in the United States. Honda has a plant in Ohio and other companies have them all over America. Your Japanese car is likely made in America, but all of the profits are coming back here to support our economy, not yours.
{"commentId":1827798,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1826531,"authorDomain":"ratechie"}
I totally agree, buy American. Lets look on a few things, politicians, they are the first to move the companies they have stock in, out of America, why, money of course, cheap labor higher prices due to import tax. Oil, we export more oil than we use, thus causing the need to import from OPEC, why money of course, how many Government Official have stock in the Oil industry, well think about that, if we export our oil to other countries the oil barons of America get filthy rich while we the comsumer pay the price for imported oil.
Isn't it time that America stood up and said, stop, we want American made products, we want our factories back we want American Drilled oil with out the stinking import taxes. We are tired of Politicians lining their wallets with consumer hard earned dollars. We need a Middle Income American in the White house, imagine that, someone who knows how to stretch a dollar, knows the value of a hard days work, actually has an honest job and a hard working family that has had everything handed to them on a Silver/OIL lined platter.
Time to STAND UP AMERICAN, stop being the couch potato.
{"commentId":1826531,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"ratechie"}
#48 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:48 PM EDT{"commentId":1826734,"authorDomain":"schwab"}
Support the World! Buy Globally!
{"commentId":1826734,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"schwab"}
- 2 votes
#49 - Wed May 21, 2008 1:35 PM EDT{"commentId":1827802,"authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
Word.
{"commentId":1827802,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"Henryvii"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":6076421,"authorDomain":"jwhit100"}
Support yourself, pay off a debt.
{"commentId":6076421,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"jwhit100"}
{"commentId":1828812,"authorDomain":"erin-miller11"}
I know we're not on the gas topic- but it is inevitable isn't it? My gas tank was on "e" today and I was forced to go to a gas station that charges more money than where I usually go- and put in seven dollars just to get by...what a laugh! My gas tank light was still on after I filled up. I guess it was nostalgia thinking that my 7 dollars would really get me anywhere. I just had to share that because it was the news hitting me in my face- wait, no- the oil, or cartels- no-it was the government? Gosh- who should I blame?
{"commentId":1828812,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"erin-miller11"}
#50 - Wed May 21, 2008 10:58 PM EDT{"commentId":1830003,"authorDomain":"anthopos"}
Yeah, it's shocking how little gas you get for $7. It must really be hitting those who mow lawns, especially the teens looking for some extra pocket money.
{"commentId":1830003,"threadId":"267215","contentId":"1500998","authorDomain":"anthopos"}
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