ohbloodyhell8

I received an email from a friend suggesting for the month of August we all buy only products made domestically in the USA to strengthen our economy and make a statement to the international market.  Wow.  That’s hard to do.  It truly disappointed me that I struggled to find everyday items that were made in the good ol’ US of A.  I remember when I was a kid if a something was made elsewhere, the general assumption was that it wouldn’t last long because it would break very quickly.  This proved to be true a good amount of the time.  But now our society has grown into a rather “disposable” one-it seems that even if it breaks, it doesn’t matter—buy another one.

I also remember when I was a kid that “specialty” items came from different countries because they had the technology and were “more advanced” than we were.  That concept seems to have faded from every day conversation, but I think we created our own self-fulfilling prophecy.  What are products that are uniquely American?  I’d love to your thoughts, Gentle Reader, because I’m drawing a blank other than “entertainment” or “celebrities, sports figures”.  In other words, I can only seem to come up with people.

If we’ve made it too difficult to set up shop here at home then we need to change that.  I’m not a political junkie, I don’t claim to be overtly knowledgeable in the ways of politics, economy, etc.  I cannot discuss the challenges companies face to have a manufacturing plant in USA.  Still I have made a personal goal of buying American for as many items as I can.  It’s my own little personal statement and contribution to our economy.  Granted, on my budget, I won’t impact the stock market.  I strive to purchase local produce when it is in season (Jersey Fresh…oh yes, the corn is a nightly part of the feast right now)…why don’t I apply this same approach on the other things I purchase?  Or don’t purchase, as the case may be?

I’m proud to be an American…I want and need to show that in how I live and consume.