Why should anyone "buy American" when US corps are selling us out overseas?

Question

Only a fool pledges loyalty to someone or something that is not loyal to them. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

preachin' to the choir, reverend. corporations have no national loyalty.

Answer 2

I have a buddy who bought a Saturn. He swore it was 100% American. I told him there was no way that was possible. He was adamant. So I called Saturn. Depending on the model and year, the car is 80-95% American. But, as they said, and as I surmised, a 100% American car would be cost prohibitive. The lady at Saturn with whom I spoke said that we are in a global economy. And we have to rely on some foreign parts to keep cost down.

That said, I tend to agree with you to a point. People purchase gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups because they're trying to keep up with the neighbors, or because it makes them feel more macho, or whatever. If they have a family so large they need a bus, then they should go back to school and learn where these little critters come from and stop making them, and then buy a darn bus... or a van. Granted they're not as sexy as an SUV, but they're lighter and more economical... and they hold more. The minister of a church across the street from the church I attend has the largest pickup I've ever seen. He never seems to carry anything in it. It's one of those with a back seat. He needs that truck like he needs another hole in his head. It is an American make, Dodge, I think. But it drinks foreign oil.

Many of the large "US" oil companies import from the countries in the area in which we're fighting. The sources below give you DOE breakdown by country and company.

Another way to support US business is to support US agriculture... and US labor.

I was in COSTCO (for those or you who don't know, it's one of those membership warehouse-type stores) and much of their produce was imported from Mexico, and South America.. I told the manager, it might be less expensive, but how does it help the economy if we send the money to Mexico or Columbia.

If you call your bank for information and you get some dude who is clearly working on his English, tell the guy you want to speak with an American. If he can't oblige you, go down to the bank the next day and tell them if you ever get somebody in India, Pakistan, or any foreign country, again, you'll close your account.

Do the same with your computer, your software, your internet access... the whole shooting match.

Microsoft is terrible in that regard. The company hasn't developed a stable platform since its inception. They can't. If they did, nobody would purchase the patches, fixes, upgrades, new versions, etc. Besides technology is developing stronger processors and faster memory. That gives Microsoft space to fill up and resources to hog.

Read labels. I know a guy who swears purchases only American stuff. He shops at Macy's, Penny's, Sears, etc. His $50 Nike sneakers were made in Bangladesh. The kid who made them was probably paid a nickel. The company that made them probably pocked $15. The shipper probably got $10. And the rest went to the Store... that's only a 100% markup.

If it's made in China, Mexico, or any other country with which we're having problems, don't buy it.

The point is, some US companies seem to be trying harder than others. Perhaps those are the US companies we need to patronize? Maybe it costs a few cents more on the dollar, but isn't the United States worth paying for?

Answer 3

Because if people buy only the products made in the United States, the corporations that make all their goods overseas won't sell anything anymore. If they want to stay in business, the companies will have to switch to production in the United States; if they don't care, they'll go out of business or lose so much money that it would be very difficult to recover. (That is, if they don't go whining to the government for more subsidies to keep themselves afloat when they should, by rights, go under.)

Answer 4

I like to think of it this way, by buying American, I'm supporting my fellow American workers. I try to use only products made in America in my work. I would much rather do that then use products made in China. I'm a house-painter and can still find most of the products I choose to use be made by my fellow Americans. I will always have this belief and will support American companies as long as possible. I don't think of it as supporting the company as much as I look at it as supporting other Americans and their jobs. I'm still proud to be American and take pride in the job I perform and will always support other American workers first.

Answer 5

US Corporations are not selling us out. We moved 4 of our manufacturing companies to Mexico and then to China because of labor cost,other companies would not buy American made parts when they could buy them for much less elsewhere. it is the survival of the fittest. Why stay here and make things that other companies are not going to buy They will go to other countries,so that is what we had to do.

Loyalty is Being a Good American and paying your fair share of taxes. But it will not feed you when you go under and loose your peoples retirement and benefits.

Answer 6

The 'buy American' idea is to buy products /made/ in America, not just any products of American companies. (And, no, it's not always easy to figure out where something was really made - for instance, the computers my company makes are 'made' here - but they're just modules plugged together that were made all over the freak'n world).

Answer 7

What have you bought that is American? TV, Computer, iPod? You can't buy American. The reason you can't is because it cost too much. Labor costs were too much and too demanding. I'm not spending more on poor quality, high cost American goods just to take one for the liberals. We all need to make house payments and eat. I'll do whatever it takes to do that.

Answer 8

No not entirely, but you will be keeping Americans working and getting a much better product for your money.

Answer 9

There is conflicts on buying the products of their own country due to trade agreeements between countries.

Answer 10

Even "American" prodicts may be made of parts created elsewhere. I buy for quality and value.