Holiday Shopping: Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is (vanity)

<self> | 11/23/2007 | <self>

[Lexinom]

A brief essay and heartfelt appeal to fellow patriots.

I would like to know if anyone knows of a "nation of origin" database for products.

[Lexinom]

Buy American ping

[familyop]

"I hope we can discuss here ways to search out and buy only American and America-friendly goods."

We need to start manufacturing more American-made goods first. Ignore the fix polls sponsored by corrupt importers. Elect Duncan Hunter.

[familyop]

...fixed polls, even. There’s one running right now that won’t show votes for a Hunter/Gingrich pair, although the choice is presented.

[dakine]

“...buy only American and America-friendly goods.”

Flashback to the 70s....

[Lexinom]

American goods are still out there. What you propose is possible. When you buy an American made product you do two things: A) you reward the manufacturers themselves, and B) you reward the merchant for carrying their goods. If enough people do it, and do it consistently, business will get the message.

From a patriotic consumer standpoint, this takes a little extra work when shopping: reading product labels, being willing to go to another store. I do not think this is a whole lot to ask in light of others are doing for America.

[Lexinom]

Vote with your wallet. It is your right, and mine.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Thanks and ditto.

Some useful information on this older site:



http://www.pleasewishmeamerrychristmas.org/

[Glenn]

American goods are still out there.

Be patient. By Amish craftsmanship. They are heirlooms.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Good thoughts ... but I have to take exception to your characterization of Mexico as a ‘less-hostile’ nation. They are one of the most hostile to our way of life and are doing everything they can to destroy what we have built, IMHO.

[Lexinom]

A couple of gifts I bought today (the recipents don't read FR):

Leatherman tools are manufactured in Portland Oregon. They are one of millions of excellent U.S.-made gifts, and last for many years.

Lodge Color is a Tennessee-based company that manufactures quality cookware.

This is excellent, anyone else have ideas about American gifts?

[Lexinom]

Duly noted, and you have a point. My main concern is China.

[bert]

Boo Hoo..... Cry for a world gone for ever.

We live on trade. To forsake it is to die

[Lexinom]

First of all, you have implied a false-dichotomy: that to prefer American goods is to oppose free trade. No, that IS free market economics - consumers voting with their wallets. There is no rule dictating that nation of origin may NOT be a criteria in purchasing decisions. It is your right, and mine. If you want to vote for the Chi Coms, you support what they are doing, you believe they make a superior product then hey, it's your money.

Secondly, like it or not, there will be a hit this year on Chinese goods - for reasons other than what I laid out. I don't have a good footing on the extent, but the media attention on lead paints combined with the always-wear-a-helmet mentality of many (not all) a suburban mom will have more people looking for that "Made in China" sticker than usual. This, too, is part of a free market economy.

[RedWhiteBlue]

Fiestaware is American made, by the Homer Laughlin China company. It’s very durable (Homer Laughlin makes a lot of the dishes, cups, etc that are used in restaurants, so it has to be able to take a beating), and you can be sure that you won’t be eating off of anything that has lead in it.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping. Good post...with one exception:

buy from Canada, Japan, Europe, Mexico, and other less-hostile nations

Mexico is hardly a less-hostile nation. They are invading our country and plan to take it over with the blessing and complicity of their President.

I have been label reading for a couple years now. While shopping at a local store I saw a display of candles. Upon inspecting the label, I discovered they were from Israel. Although I did not need candles at the time, I bought a bunch of them. ;*)

Recently I was shopping for a specific material. Every bolt I pulled out was from China. Finally I asked a clerk if there was nothing from any other country, preferably the USA. She came up with one from Pakistan, but made a face when saying the country. I quickly said, I'll take it! At least they are an ally. She was stunned.

[Lexinom]

I've already been chastised once for including Mehico on the list, and am wishing there was an "edit" function! :)

Do you happen to remember the brandname of the candles?

So far, we have these American Made manufacturers:

Amish furniture
Leatherman tools
Lodge Manufacturing (Lodge Color, etc.) cookware
Homer Laughlin China (Fiestaware) cookware

Other ideas?

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Just A Nobody and Justadumbblonde with the same thoughts, expressed in almost the same words. Hmmmmm ....

[Michael A. Velli]

So far, we have these American Made manufacturers:

Amish furniture

Oh boy. My kids are going to love opening up their Amish furniture on Christmas morning.

[Just A Nobody]

Hmmmmmm indeed! LOL! Funny thing is, there were only 8 posts when I began my reply. Back to back phone calls delayed the posting and I didn’t check to see if anyone else had mentioned it.