Pocketbook Patriotism

[rob62521]

Interesting article on buying American.

The resurgence of 'pocketbook patriotism' - Extreme Consumerism - MSNBC.com

[maat55]

I think of trying to buy american only from time to time, but have not taken the time to research our products. I wish the country would start a buy american crusade.

[disneysteve]

I think the "buy American" thing is outdated. We live in a global economy, like it or not. There are so few items that are truly made in America without any foreign influence or raw materials. There are many companies that are based in the US but also have plants in other countries making parts or assembling pieces or whatever. I haven't actually researched it, but I imagine there are not all that many things made 100% totally and completely in the US from start to finish with all raw materials originating in the US.

There are also companies making products here in the US but owned by a foreign parent company, so where does that fit?

The whole "we're better than them" just doesn't fly with me. When I go shopping for anything, I want the best quality, best design, best price, best all around product that fits my needs and my budget. I'm not going to pay more or settle for lower quality just to get something made here. If that makes me unpatriotic (which I don't feel it does), so be it.

[Exile]

Take foreign made vehicles, such as Toyota. One reason that they became so popular is that their dependablity exceeded that of similar products turned out by The Big Three American auto makers. So when these companies couldn't compete, the waved the flag with the slogan "Real Americans buy American."

Real Americans buy quality.

[disneysteve]

Cars are a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

Which car is more "American"?

Car #1: Built in America by American workers employed by a foreign company.

Car #2: Built in another country by foreign workers employed by an American company.

Most people would consider car #2 the "American" car but I'm not so sure.

[gamecock43]

I agree that I love global diversity, but it scares me how dependant we (Americans) are on foreign everything. DSteve explained it pretty accuately, nothing is made in America. And what scares me is if we end up alienating the world (maybe unlikely but who knows), I think America would grind to a halt. Not to mention starve.
I just think Americans need to preserve some land for agriculture. Some oil for reserves, and keep some manufacturing plants here...just in case. Otherwise we are importing everything, and all we have to offer in return are our brains, which the other nations are catching up quick in that area.

[Sporkman]

I think the "buy American" thing is outdated. We live in a global economy, like it or not. There are so few items that are truly made in America without any foreign influence or raw materials. There are many companies that are based in the US but also have plants in other countries making parts or assembling pieces or whatever. I haven't actually researched it, but I imagine there are not all that many things made 100% totally and completely in the US from start to finish with with all raw materials originating in the US.

There are also companies making products here in the US but owned by a foreign parent company, so where does that fit?

The whole "we're better than them" just doesn't fly with me. When I go shopping for anything, I want the best quality, best design, best price, best all around product that fits my needs and my budget. I'm not going to pay more or settle for lower quality just to get something made here. If that makes me unpatriotic (which I don't feel it does), so be it.

Ditto. And, even if a company is US based & does most of its work & production in the US, it may have significant foreign shareholder stakes. Also, its suppliers may be foreign, whereas a foreign company may use more US suppliers.

The best thing to do as a consumer is act in one's own interest, and also pay close attention to quality, terms, fine print, etc, and hold companies accountable when they try to screw you.

[Sporkman]

...and all we have to offer in return are our brains, which the other nations are catching up quick in that area.

Actually, we need to import many of our brains (engineers, scientists, doctors, etc).