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Challenge, Buy Local

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I suppose that this is in response to the thread below about Chinese goods. I believe that a very big part of the move to Chinese is due to the big box stores. Isn't that really how they were able to sell for less in the first place? So everyone flocked to the big box stores to save a few bucks, and this was during good times!! Then local stores that didn't have the volume to buy full shipping containers of goods from China folded up. I constantly see references here to purchases at the big box stores. Is my local hardware the only one left in the country? I won't say that I never visit the big box stores but it is rare. My local hardware has what I need and they make a good effort to hold prices down. My Red Wings say made in the US on them and they last me four years. I can't afford to buy the cheap Chinese boots every year. Don't just talk anti-Chinese! WALK THE WALK! Buy local! Use your consumer votes to support US instead of China. Sure some of the stuff at the local store is Chinese because made in USA is no longer available, but there are still some American jobs that can be saved with our consumer votes.
 

It seems that the only merchants that still exist in this part of the world are those that went with the Chinese products a long time ago, so for me, if I want to buy "made in the U.S.A.", which I DO, I have to do my shopping on the internet. :cry:
 
I shop local (it's closer from my door to the grocer
than it would be if I was in the parking lot at wal-
mart) I like to buy American goods when I can but
China does buy a lot of soybeans and other ag
exports so I don't mind trading with them a little.
But the guy who depends on American trade for his
job is a dam fool to buy Chinese. Sorry.
 
Not any true'er words spoken, support your local
long time in business store, if you don't, we'll
all be going the big box store's & being
greeted With Happy Holidays instead of hearing
Merry Christmas Along with your 1st name....
 
Good idea, but in our area, it's too late to make the transition. There are no local lumber yards or hardware stores left in this area. They all went out of business when Home Depot, Lowe's, and TSC moved in. We have a farmer's co-op left, but their product offerings are so limited, they don't usually have what I need.

I wish we could could get back to buying from small, local businesses, but it isn't even possible at this point.

At least that's the way it is in Spring Hill, TN.

Tom in TN
 
Unions and EPA are the biggest reason US goods have been
priced out of business.Why would I pay double for 'Made in the USA' so some fat cat union 'worker' can make 3X per hr than the average worker?
 
I support all the local places I can in my rural area. I'm part of the local economy and when I can fix a customer's machine much cheaper with foreign parts, I'm doing him a favor and not a dis-service. I wonder where you computer insides or your cell phone was made?

But . . . you think buying Red Wing boots somehow proves a point?

Let's see.

Part of Red Wing's corporate income is from selling Asian made footwear and selling in the USA under other brand labels. So it seems THEY are not against buying foreign products.

Red Wing often offers discounts to what they call "workers" IF you have a current union membership card. So, the vast majority of workers in the USA are NON union, yet Red Wing feels we non-union workers do not count?

What a bunch of hooey. Unions legally extort taxpayers by offering member votes to the politician who will support them the best. Thus the reason why union membership is almost dead in the private sector but thriving in the government supported sector.

If paying near $300 for boots makes you feel more American, good for you.

I pay $60 for Chinese boots at Walmart and get 3-4 years out of them. And Walmart is an American company.

We are not a "stand alone" nation anymore and all this overseas griping is rediculous. Get rid of the extorting unions that take my tax dollars and maybe I'll feel a little different.

Companies like Ford - the only private auto maker left in the USA has survived because of their world-wide presence and they took NO governmengt bail-out money. GM is partially owned by the US and Canadian governments. Chrysler is owned by Fiat of Italy. Both got huge amounts of US taxpayer cash.

So, if Ford "unAmerican" because they survived on their own with insight and good management?

Since I do NOT get an inflated union wage, I chose to be frugal and more careful with my money. I am still just as American as you.
 
I buy U.S. made when I have a choice. Usually ends
up being LESS expensive in the long run. It helps to
ASK for U.S. made. Sometimes businesses will stock,
or at least order, U.S. made items when asked.
People need to look at food labels, too. More and
more food is being labeled as to where it comes
from, but not everything is yet. Call or write your
congressman to ask for expansion of the Country Of
Origin Label law (I have).
 
I try to but local but there are several reasons i dont,they have limited parking , they dont have what i want or need, and if they do, i will have to wait for them to order it or its twice the price.They dont seem to care about stockng there shelves and they act like there doing me a favor, SORRY about your luck !!!!!!!!!!!! but i will shop at the BIG BOYS always have and always will.And as far as the union wages they set the standard of living that most of us in this country have now.
 
If you think using China made stuff is doing your customers a favor your customers must have low standards.

I do a lot of repair work. The imported parts are most times a much lower quality part. I just worked on a Ford 861. I had a heck of a time finding a US made voltage regulator. The China ones would last about six months and quit. Yes the US made one cost double but it is working much better and should last much longer too.
 
I'll probably be flamed for this...............

It is too late, and not sure you could have ever stopped it. The world is not what it used to be, technology, Internet, shipping etc etc has changed the world into a global economy... this is only the beginning. If you believe in how this country became rich (yes we are) this is just a very large example of capitalism in motion. For many years we owned the market, there was little competition, therefore we charged what we could, our costs got out of control and it all continued to work. There is now competition, others are beating us in the market, they have lower costs and are taking over the market. Yes quality is a challenge, but they will get that eventually.

I just built a barn, I went to the local and it would cost me 15% more to do business with them rather than the big box store. I can’t give away 15% of my money (purchase over $10,000.00) so that the local has a chance. He is doomed to fail overtime anyway.

I often think about the good old days, however they are gone forever. You cannot buy them back. You can purchase wisely, and do your part to make this country better. Hopefully we will figure out away to meet this competition and beat them at our game….. we pretty much ruled at this for many, many years.

(my flame suite is on)

L.
 
I hate CCC - Cheap China Crap. I always try to buy US made. It's getting harder though because it will be a US company but made in Mexico, India, etc. I don't mind things made in Canada, but anywhere else I would rather not buy if I can help it. I have started trying to get anything made locally I can as well. I have a small local machine shop that has been great making small parts and it is usually only a bit more in cost, if at all, than buying it from china.
 
You better check your facts on whether Ford took any bailout money.Billions in loan backups.
 
About your comment . ..

"And as far as the union wages they set the standard of living that most of us in this country have now. "

Yes, unions helped a lot of working families 70 years ago before we had welfare, social security, OSHA, HEAP, meals at schools for kids, free emergency health care, and many many more tax-payer supported give-aways.

Unions have long outlived their usefullness to the general public. For the most part, they legally extort taxpayers by promising membership votes to politicians.

Before WWII, 24% of the US workforce was unionized.

Today? 11% total in the US and . . . 36% of that is tax payer supported while only 3% of that 11% is private.

New York State still has 24% and many southern states have only 3%. Do you think those states with 3% are doing better or worse then New York?
I've give you a hint - NY is nearly bankrupt.

How about Texas? Texas has only 1/4 the union members as NY. Which one of those states is doing better do you suppose?
 
I buy my two strokes from the local hardware. They have a shop in the back. If I can't fix it they can. Home Depot? Good luck with that.
 
I agree, I just hate that cheap junk, what a waste of time putting it on, last year I needed a set of solid core plug wires, bought them from a man here in town that repairs and sells ford tractors, I ended up with some tisco junk and it would short through the wire loom! Next time I was in town I got some good Beldin wires from NAPA, made all the difference in the world. The fella I bought them from is a friend and I told him about them, he said his customers would not spend the extra money, to which I had this reply, you have to be a salesman and explain the benifits of quality after all you are drawing a GM pension
 
It's a new world out there. Even in the big box stores,(including Wal Mart) you can still buy American, though I admit it's difficult. Even at my small local hardware, a large portion of their goods is China made or at least foreign. Try finding USA made clothes or shoes. Even Red Wing now comes from China, though I have been told they still make some shoes in the US. I just paid $80.00 for a pair of US made jeans. They seem to be better than most others but only had them for a couple months so hard to determine they are better/will last longer than Wranglers. Even to buy them I had to revert to internet so guess we have destroyed ourselves from within.
 
Just curious. How come Canada is OK but other foreign countries are not? How do you determine that? Mexicans are certainly Americans just as Canadians are. Same goes for Haitians, Cubans, etc.

What is the determining factor? Primarly white? English speaking? Based on old English and French culture?
 
Traditional Farmers, You kinda putting me down. You really don't know what you are talking about. Oh yes, there are a few unions that ask for too much BUT the company didn't have to agree. I hold a union card and have for 48 years. I worked for a major bus company. I made more than non union drivers yet their companies rates were the same as ours. Did you know that most union companies get far more production from workers? Did you know that most companies that busted a union went busted their self later and most were good profitable companies before them busting the union?. Although I am strong union I am against unions for any government. I could go on but I ain't.
 
I would like to support a local, small town. Mom
and Pop hardware store but just can"t. I can drive 4 miles there to buy a bolt for 75 cents,
or go 12 miles to bigger town "Menards" and get
the same "China" bolt at 3 for 75 cents! The
"Local" place is "stuck up" to anyone who wears
bib overalls, and act like they only want the
business of the "Horsey" drugstore blonde ladys!
 
(quoted from post at 15:26:33 11/30/11) I buy U.S. made when I have a choice. Usually ends
up being LESS expensive in the long run. It helps to
ASK for U.S. made. Sometimes businesses will stock,
or at least order, U.S. made items when asked.
People need to look at food labels, too. More and
more food is being labeled as to where it comes
from, but not everything is yet. [b:23c06047cb]Call or write your
congressman to ask for expansion of the Country Of
Origin Label law [/b:23c06047cb](I have).
Click to expand...
I have been shopping for gas logs. Yesterday, I went to a BB store and thought I had found the perfect log set for my needs.
Since I have had three different sets of Emberglow brand gas logs, that were American made, I looked to see where these Emberglows were made. All I could find was a distributors address I was loaded the box on the cart to check the bottom of container box. That's when I saw on the front of the box-- Made In CHINA. The print was so tiny, I could barely make it out--- 1/16" to 1/8" tall letters
Left them on the floor and left the store
This should be illegal
 
Another thing we need to consider is who actually owns many of the factories in China. Many of them are owned by the Chinese military. They use the profits to fund their ARMY. So when you are buying those products you are helping finance our enemy.

If you think China would not attack us in a minute if they could get away with it, you are crazy. They are attacking us everyday with these China made products destroying our economy. They have thousand of military computer hackers trying to get into our computers everyday.

I spent almost ten years in Asia. You have to realize that most Asians are very racist. They are not going to buy much from us unless there is no other choice.

This trade agreement with Korea that the politicians say will increase trade by us selling American built cars into Korea. That is a laugh. I bet that they will not get maybe 1% of the sales that will be the other way.

Non of these "free trade" agreements are good for the USA. A few get to sell a little bit and the rest of us get to lose a few more jobs.

NAFTA is a good example of this. Old Ross Perot said we would hear a big sucking sound of jobs going south but the rest said no way. Well how has that worked out for the USA???? Well many companies laid off American workers and closed plants. Then built new ones in Mexico. Many of these American jobs where non-union too. A good friend has worked at four different jobs in the last ten years. Three of them have ended when the company moved to Mexico.

Good old John Deere is on this band wagon too. They just closed the Welland plant in Canada. The products they built there are now built in Mexico. Mainly Loaders and rotary cutters. Look at the serial number on the loaders. If it starts with a "P" it is made in Mexico.

The Mexican Trucking companies are just the next attack on American jobs. SO we now can sell some pork back into Mexico. At the cost of thousands of American truck driving jobs. It may take them awhile but it will happen. So that 1-2 cents per pound that pork will bring more is going to drive a bunch of drivers/truckers of the road in the US.

Asked any worker at any of the meat plants in the US if they like their third world wages??? These jobs used to be well paying US level wages. IS the price of meat lower in the store??? HECK NO The big packers just pocketed more profit and drove the packers with US workers out of business.

I can't work for third world wages and have a US standard of living. What I pay in health insurance is more than most of the world's workers make in a month. I used to be able to afford a new car/truck. My wages have not keep up so I can't afford them now. So who is going to be the buyer in the future???? My kids can't afford new car either. I was buying new by the time I was in my thirties. 72 month financing is just a bandaid on this problem.

This world economy only works IF everyone's standard of living is close to the same. SO since ours is one of the higher ones we just get to lose that standard so the third world countries can climb up.

I hope you have your new grass hut all picked out because that is what is coming if we let them continue to destroy the US economy. Low wage workers don't buy much other than the basics. Those basics will not drive the economy.
 
It's not that simple to "Buy American". The American people have nobody to blame but themselves for the situation were in. The American manufacturer has been under assault from labor and environmental interests for so many years they have little choice but to exit the country. The only real solution is to turn off the assault and hope the exit slows down or reverses.
 
canada here, first would like to respond to post about " canada " being treated different
like to think that its because we have better standards for product quality ( pretty much the same as usa ), probably because there is so much trade between the 2 countries, they have to meet certain standards
as far as supporting local business"s, i always do samll town here, about 30 miles to large centre ( but i am there all the time for work )
we are blessed, in that we have a hardware type store ( home hardware ) in almost every small town that can pretty much fix you up with anything you need, and the staff are very knowledgeable could i get stuff a bit cheaper in the city ? yah pretty sure i could, but ...... something to be said for getting quality products, good service & fair price while helping to keep a hometown business going makes sense for everyone, as long as you get the products & service you need
bob
 
[b:9cdc930bf6]JDseller[/b:9cdc930bf6]---who was it that stated "America will be conqured without fireing a shot" ? Maybe not an exact quote but close!!
Last year, I purchased 10K worth of floor covering for my entire home. I checked with several local stores and demanded American Made Products.
Some didn't have any and I walked out.
When I did find American products and agreed to a price, I asked "how many people ask where a product is made"
He laughed and said "only occasionally"
Strange thing is --In my area of N.W. Alabama--we have lost thousands of jobs in the textile and garment industry!!!
 
Thing that really gets me is when like those boots,all I see is "made in China" and they still want over $100.00 for them. You can still find some for $30-40 ? but still all those HIGH priced CHINA ones is all I see and I can't believe a boot can't be made here (USA) and sell for the same price and still make a profit at it.
There has got to be more behind it to of driven these companies off our shores. And this is what has to be fixed first so they then can return.
 
Stephen, I agree with you 100%. Just try to buy something made in the USA, next to impossible.

I like Clark shoes on my old feet. Guess what, they are made inChina.

I like nickle metal hydride 18v batteries for my Dewalt cordless tools. Guess what, they are made in China too.

I remember in the 60's we complained about things made in Japan.

Remember in 92 when Ross Perot said there will be a big sucking sound of jobs leaving this country? He was right.

Right now I hear adds blaming on line sales for mom and pop store closing.

Don't know what the answer is. Maybe unemployed people need to create their own businesses. We can't count on the government to solve the problem, when they created the mess we are in.

George
 
I don't know if these numbers add up right, but it's a promising story:

http://cdnapi.kaltura.com/index.php/kwi ... id/5590821

As far as Redwing boots go..... I just bought a pair last week. The style I wearis still made in the USA. I got them at the local Hardware store that sells work clothes. I paid $150 for them and they were sitting next to the same looking boot from other companies for $100 on up. I've always worn Redwings and will pay extra to keep wearing them so my feet don't hurt.

I don't care if half of Redwings stuff is made in China...... the pair I got wasn't. Somebody in America stiched up my boots and got paid for it in American money. If their kids will have an American Christmas because of that, I feel good.

Anyhoo, people complaining about 10% more for American made stuff...... I'll bet more than10% of my taxes goes to programs that pay some deadbeat to sit on their butts eating free food and using free cell phones instead of working. I will and have paid 10% more just for quality and not having to waste my time taking back junk parts/products for replacement.

Oh well, end of rant.....

Tim
 
I remember hearing not long ago though,about a pottery company in Indiana or Illinois,I forget which,but they've been in business for something like over 100 years. All of a sudden,things started showing up in stores with their name and trademark but the stuff was made in China. There in lies the problem. The Chinese have no regard for US patents or trademarks,especially when it comes to small companies,so you might THINK you're buying local and STILL be getting cheap Chinese junk.
 
Red Wing shoes also are made over seas. and priced the same as made in the US. I was going to buy a pair last week but walked out when I seen that.
its just like the large companies that bought successful smaller companies for the "name" value. Then they could put that well known name on cheap junk.
 
(quoted from post at 16:29:01 11/30/11) Thing that really gets me is when like those boots,all I see is "made in China" and they still want over $100.00 for them. You can still find some for $30-40 ? but still all those HIGH priced CHINA ones is all I see and I can't believe a boot can't be made here (USA) and sell for the same price and still make a profit at it.
There has got to be more behind it to of driven these companies off our shores. And this is what has to be fixed first so they then can return.
Click to expand...

Here are my thoughts----Let's say you have a profitable company manufacturing a quality product using American workers in America. You discover you can have the same???? product manufactured in a foreign country and greatly increase your profit, after all, you have a trusted--well known name
You discover your product doesn't need five screws or does it need to be manufactured with that "thick" metal or that expensive water proof glue is not necessary or the leather can be thinner!! You see more GREEN in your pocket
Consumers still buy the inferior product --it's a trusted name--and never notice
Our great leaders of this country could have stopped, or slowed down, this practice before it was too late, if they had been smart enough
The leaders of this country may not have directly caused this decline (disappearance) of American made products--but they did little to contain it
 
I got this in an e-mail, this is a great idea!

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It"s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It"s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn"t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn"t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn"t about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn"t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn"t imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn"t that what Christmas is about?
 
I find it sadly-amusing that it is US tradition to blame every one else for our problems. Those problems were created here. Not Japan, not Korea, not Mexico, and not China.

I find it even more amusing when people chime in about labor unions historically being the savior of the USA. Less then 1% of the entire US private work force is union - so I guess the other 99 plus percent are all doomed? When companies like Red Wing offer discounts to union members only - I find it insulting to American workers in general.

Opening up the USA via the western frontier was done with Chinese labor. Same with the California Gold Rush. We (non-Asian Americans) treated them horribly and when we felt we didn't need them anymore - Congress created the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Before that we tried to do it with the Irish and Italians - but many stayed here anyway and became politicians instead of laborers. Ever hear of the 1849 Native American Society, or the Order of the Star Spangled Banner? The Know Nothing Party? The American Party? Back then, "Native Americans" were white protestants and they blamed all our economic woes on Catholics, Irish and Gernam immingrants, "Blockhead Swedes", etc.

We used the up the Chinese and threw them out. Now they are in the their own industrial age on their own land and USA Americans are blaming them for our problems here? Give me a break.

For sure, history keeps repeating itself.

<a href="http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m162/jdemaris/?action=view&amp;current=chinese2.jpg" target="_blank">
chinese2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket
</a>
 
You keep crying about how China is going to attack us and take us over with their big bad army.

WHY? It would serve absolutely no purpose. We already load all our raw materials on boats for them, and buy all their finished products. We do all the work willingly, and we work cheap. An occupying army would only cost THEM money, and make us openly hostile, bitter, and resentful.

You don't bit the hand that feeds you. You don't kill the goose that's laying golden eggs.
 
(quoted from post at 07:20:25 11/30/11) Unions and EPA are the biggest reason US goods have been
priced out of business.Why would I pay double for 'Made in the USA' so some fat cat union 'worker' can make 3X per hr than the average worker?
Click to expand...

Well at least you got part of it right but hate to tell you that union workers only account for about 7% for non public sercive workers. Biggest thing that the unions are into that puts out a product is cars, trucks, tractors and construction equipment....it's called the UAW.

Now get this...I'm not a big fan of unions.

Yea the EPA has driven jobs overseas along with OSHA. Those 2 agencies along with CONSUMERS who demand cheap prices are the real villians in outsourcing.

Rick
 
I DO know what I'm talking about:

A good tractor collecting friend of mine had a thriving electrical business that he'd built up over several years - was making money hand over fist and was becoming a regional contractor - but was worried about finding enough help for some upcoming big projects he had bid on.

He signed a contract to use union guys - and they had broke him within 2 years... They were the most worthless, arrogant guys he had ever tried to work with.

He about had a nervous breakdown trying to keep projects moving with those worthless sob's and finally went under...

Now he just works on his own and makes a good living on his own... But he'd spit in the eye of anyone that tries to tell him unions are good for anything but extortion...

Another friend of mine was working on a big contruction project with a non-union company and they had had threats from some union guys. Next thing you know, their Cat construction equipment turned up destroyed. So much for free enterprise!!!??? Wasn't free enterprise a lot of what made America great in the first place???

Unions, by definition, are AGAINST free enterprise.

I really feel bad for America and the way the economy is headed, but with that sort of garbage, what did we EXPECT to happen???


Howard
 
Tim I can't say where red wings are made but I do know for a fact that forty years ago my mother sewed Made in the USA labels into shoes that came in crates from overseas.Just because the label says made in the usa means nothing.You cant trust the factorys to be truthfull they have been taking lessons from our gov. for years on how to sneek around and trick you into thinking that they care about the general public.
 
Agreed, China isn't going to attack our anything. IIRC, if anyone attacks the USA, any debt we owe our attackers is then null & void. We are using our own resources over there to build them up, which leads me to believe there is no/shouldn't be any debt with them. Also, how better to keep an eye on a potential enemy than to work in his own house. Kinda like Japan.

Mike
 
I buy localest of the local. Iff'n I can't find it on the computer, or at the goodwill store, or at the local Sam's club, I don't buy it. All these "buying protests" will never work, because Money TALKS! No one will admit it, but that's what makes America great!
 
You got all that right. It's to late now. The ball
has been rolling long before NAFTA.

I was working in textiles in the 80's and 90's and
by 1991 we had lost 800 mills from Pa. to Fl. These
were low paying jobs and took many workers to run a
plant. In my area of 30 miles radius we lost 3,000
textile jobs from 1998 to 2003. I got out of
textiles in 1995. I saw the light.
 

Howard h/ triditional farmers I assume you are the same person. Notice I said "MOST" There are exceptions to all rules.

I also assume you are a farmer. I know a lot of farmer who farm for the farm insurance and the gov. assistance. They intentionally have a crop failure. I also know lots who get lots of assistance twice. They are big farmers and get all they can so they set their wife up as farm operator on a part of the operation and bingo, like majic they get twice the goodies. That is my tax money. Well, this might be OK if they actually had wife operating, but no, she works in town and has nothing to do with the farm.

Now, tell me about the union crooks
 
I guess I know enough to pick and chose and use what works. There has always been good and junk parts around regardless of origin.
 
Around here, there isn't a lumberyard left in the county, and the local hardware stores have a limited selection of chinese made stuff.
 
I bought a pair of meskin sandals in Mexico a few years back and didn't notice each one was made from a different tire and they had different thread. It's get'n where you can't trust anyone, I only paid 2 bucks for'em so it's no big deal..
 
Oh . . and I suppose ALL voltage regulators made in China are exactly the same and no good? That is rediculous. And to expand the silly concept - I suppose ALL made in the USA are the same and excellent?

I bought a Chinese Arrow-brand regulator and it was absolute junk (got it from this Website).

I then replaced it with a Chinese-made Tisco brand and it's been fine. Had it for four years now.

AC Delco now makes much of their stuff in China.
 
Got to agree with that. Plenty of blame to go around, but pointing fingers is cheaper and easier than going to wally world to save a buck. The same people that fought Chinese communism thru Korea and Viet Nam are the same old boy network that shipped jobs and dirty industry overseas to save a 2 or 3% profit margine. Its all coming back in spades....
 
When a person borrows money to buy a house - I doubt many here call that a "bail-out." Now, use Fed money to wipe out someone's mortgage debt and that IS a bail-out.

I see a huge difference between a "bail-out" to a mis-run company going bankrupt like GM, and a "loan" to a better run company NOT going bankrupt like Ford. Ford still OWNS Ford, whereas the US and Canadian governments et. al. own GM.

We the taxpayers are still short 50 billion dollars on the GM deal with no guarantees of getting it.

Also at present, besides Ford NEVER taking bail-out cash, it is paying back it's loans amazingly guick (much better then had been anticipated).
 
Well said!

History repeats itself. It is unfortunate that each new generation forgets the lessons from the previous generations until it is too late.
 
Well I don't think you get it. We are talking about products not service. Everyone knows the Chinese worker living in China cannot perform the act of cutting your hair in the American salon. Let me go through your list and define them for you. American barber is cutting your hair with Chinese comb and scissors. You are working out at gym on Chinese built excer-bikes and running around the track wearing Chinese shoes and attire. They are washing your car with Chinese buckets and brushes and detailing your car with Chinese tools. They are mowing your lawn and shoveling your drive with tools and tractors that have the assembly parts made in China while wearing boots and mittens made in China. Restaurants and home town diners are serving your food on Chinese plates and holding your napkins in Chinese dispensers and salt and pepper shakers. The guy changing your oil is using Chinese filter wrench and wearing Chinese made uniform. The cleaning lady is using Chinese made mop and bucket. The computer repair guy is coming to your house in foreign car or sitting in his shop on a Chinese stool at a Chinese work table. The local craftier is spinning wool on Chinese loom and stringing jewelry on Chinese chains and beads. The waiter is serving you on a Chinese platter and the ballet dancer wearing Chinese outfit and shoes. The theater props and lights, all Chinese. Do I really need to go on? Wake up and smell the coffee.
 
(quoted from post at 08:53:13 11/30/11) I got this in an e-mail, this is a great idea!

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It"s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It"s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn"t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn"t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn"t about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn"t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn"t imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn"t that what Christmas is about?
Click to expand...

Great Idea!
 
TISCO is an American brand, not Chinese. Founded in the 1930s in Minnesota as the "Tractor Implement Supply Company." They sell some products sourced from China and other parts of the world, just as most other North American companies do.
 

I don't know who "traditional farmer" is, but I didn't see him say anything that much of the public (my local community, anyway) doesn't believe, too.

I only post under my registered handle of Howard H.

My name is Howard Henderson and I was pushed out of farming by the banker 8-9 years ago. I guess I never found the "gravy train" you are talking about.

I work an office job now, with a second job doing IT consulting work and fixing people's PCs & networks.

I imagine unions WOULD be a great deal for those on the "inside" that were benefitting from all their power and gravy contracts.

I've just seen too many examples of the corruption, extortion, & waste that happens with them around. I've been around the block enough times to know to call a spade a spade.

It is obvious to most Americans, too, or the unions wouldn't be losing SO MUCH power nowdays compared to year's past.

There are just WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE in the world that ARE willing to work for way less than what American unions demand in return for what they offer back!!

In my opinion, THAT is the root cause of the "de-manufacturization" of the USA.


Howard
 
I no longer buy into the "big box stores" vs local mom and pop deal. The only mom and pop that I know of that closed after wally world opened never paid anything better than minimum wage, no insurance, and against labor laws, did not pay overtime. As for chinese made items, you have to look hard and ask for US made items, and then, I try to most of the time, but the majority of people are not going to pay the outrageous price the local store is asking, versus what you can buy the exact same item when you can find it at Lowes, etc, for a much lower price. I do go out of my way to buy auto parts at a place a local guy has run for decades. But ask him about american versus overseas parts. NO ONE, except a few shops whose customers demand the high end parts are willing to part ways with their money for expensive "premium" grade parts, many of which are still made overseas.
 
Yes, I would politely disagree LJD. Ford borrows billions, and they are leveraged right to the gills on most of their property and buildings.

Ford did borrow, just like Chrysler(Fiat) and GM. Yet no one seems to talk about Ford.

Rick
 
I've been trying to only buy American... you can buy almost anything if you look hard enough. The last couple pairs of wranglers aggravated me to no end... they were JUNK!! Just bought two pairs of jeans from Diamond Gusset... a company in Tenessee... great product... great service... great company... made in America of american materials. Check out a website... stillmadeinusa.com
 
NAPA and Bumper to Bumper have made in China piece of junk tools, so do most of the hardware stores, what good is there in shoppping local when all they have is junk?
 
I don't raise crops now never had crop insurance and have never ever gotten a Gov't check of any kind except a tax refund where they used my money for a year before giving it back with NO interest.
And if I know something was made with Union labor I do my best not to have to buy it.
 
LJD.
I don"t disagree with what you are saying in principal. The US/Canada governments own the majority of GM an Chrysler. Ford is owned by banks. To me, thats the same thing. None of are free and clear. Just like your house, you don"t own it "til you hold the note. The bank does.

GM is also making its loan repayments ahead of schedule, just like Ford. Don"t know about Chrysler.

You are correct in the fact that Ford did not take a bail-out, they secured the money from large banks, not governments. GM/Chrysler did take a goverenment loan. They didnt have the operating cash to continue with out the bailout.

Ford just did it when times were a little better during late 2006.

Highlights from mainstream media:

Ford Motor Co. is going all in on a bet-the-company financing strategy that will put virtually all of its U.S. assets -- including factories, office buildings and technology -- up as collateral in a multibillion-dollar credit deal designed to buy time to execute a North American restructuring.

The struggling automaker hopes to obtain $18 billion in financing to fund its turnaround and shore up its liquidity as protection against unanticipated events, such as a recession, the company said in a statement Monday.

The financing will include up to $15 billion in secured loans, which will be backed by most of Ford"s domestic assets, as well as all or part of the stock it owns in subsidiaries such as Ford Motor Credit Co. and Volvo.
 
Walmart and Lowes coming to town was the best thing that ever happened up here. The "Mom and Pops" had been raping people for decades because they'd undersold the competition 30 years back. What goes around comes around. Same for the unions, they just asked for too much. Same for a lot of things. That's life, it sux, then you die. End of story.
 
(quoted from post at 10:21:58 12/02/11) Walmart and Lowes coming to town was the best thing that ever happened up here. The "Mom and Pops" had been raping people for decades because they'd undersold the competition 30 years back. What goes around comes around. Same for the unions, they just asked for too much. Same for a lot of things. That's life, it sux, then you die. End of story.
Click to expand...

I Feel sorry for you. That is not my life
 
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