It’s been suggested on this blog – and others – that the big “fix” to the economy would be to buy more American products.
I don’t know how much of an immediate impact it would have on the economy but doing it is actually harder than it sounds. So many products – even those that we think of as “American” – are manufactured somewhere else. We have outsourced nearly all of our manufacturing business.
So, today, on a rainy Friday here in Philadelphia (birthplace of America!), I’m conducting a social experiment. I’m going to post throughout the day what products I am using and/or consuming and try to figure out where those products are made or manufactured.
I’d love for you to play along. Throughout your day, if you see a “Made in…” label, please stop by and leave a note in the comments.
I am anxious to see how much of our purchases are American…
So this morning, I put on my glasses (made in Germany). I grabbed my cell phone (made in Korea). I put on my running shoes (made in China). None of my sweats were made in the USA – they were made in Haiti, Vietnam and Turkey.
After my run, I had coffee (Kenyan, fair trade) in a mug (made in China). I ate cereal (made in USA) in a bowl (made in China).
I am currently tapping away on an Apple computer – the tag says “Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China.”
Not off to a terribly auspicious start.
What about you?
I really try to buy American on all new purchases but went with Japanese for our hyrbrid car. For health reasons I’ve really scoured everything previously (and absentmindedly) purchased in China to see what I will keep or not.
I really really try but it is a bit of a catch-22. Money is getting tighter and needs to go further so when shopping for anything we are looking for both value and to support our economy…but it gets really tough, don’t you agree?
Laptop – lenovo – china
I’m typing on a (made in china) ibm keyboard, staring at two (made in china) monitors from philips and viewsonic. On my Desk are two (made in china) Rubik’s Cubes, a (made in china) Madball toy, and a whole pile of (made in china) toys… I’m wearing shoes (made in china), shorts (made in china) and a shirt (made in china, printed in the USA) haha… I also have a SPAM-saver Tupperware (made in USA)
Bodum hot water kettle – Made in China
Well lets see. I started the day with some Italian- roast coffee, although Italy doesn’t produce any coffee. Then I went to check my mail and write posts on my laptop which was made in China, and printed out my tax payment form on my HP printer ( probably also made in China), and then I played with my certosino cat Bellagio, and he was definately made in Italy. No American products yet.
My running sneakers are New Balance, which used to be the only sneakers still manufactured in the US, but no longer. Mine were made in China and my running pants were made in Vietnam. The Dell computer I’m typing on was made also made in China. The Ikea frog bib my two year old wore to catch the milk streaming down his chin was made in Malaysia. I guess we’re not the only country outsourcing our manufacturing.
Burt’s bees Beeswax Lip Balm, Made in Durham, NC
I am also using my MacBook designed in California, Made in China. Electronics are almost impossible to source locally, but one thing I have been doing is focusing on buying local food, especially the fresh stuff. Both to support the local economy and looking at foodmiles/CO2. Why buy New Zealand lamb when there is great Welsh lamb there.
Well let’s start the day with med’s. As far as I can tell all RX’s were made in US for my safety and protection of US drug manufacturers.
Breakfast, a favorite meal, OJ (favorite juice) Florida grown oranges; eggs in the egg sandwich from American hens (no known alien hens in the NC egg farms), cheese (Kraft made in USA).
My Rockports are so worn the screen print is worn out, but the hand sewn label says “Made in China”. My cargo shorts made in Honduras, and the shirt from Indonesia. Fourty percent of my Mercury Mariner came from Canada.
At work, the Dell has parts from all over the globe, Malaysia, Philippines, monitor from China. The phone that is quiet for a Friday was made in Thailand. The HP Laser Jet 4 was made in USA, which may tell how old it is. But it still is a good machine. That compared to the “disposal” Dell printer sitting beside it, made in China, that has been replaced three times in two years.
So far this morning, my day is being determined by American citizens, and is starting downhill. My years overseas, even with the cultural differences, the days would be uphill, with pleasure.
cell-Korea
pen-Japan
sketchbook-USA! USA!
laptop-China
watercolor paper-France
w/c paints-England
diaper (for the boy)-USA! USA!
paper towels-USA! USA!
soap-USA! USA!
Well, sometimes it’s hard to find this information.
My Dell keyboard was made in China.
However, my box of Nice ‘n Soft Kleenex (Kroger brand) is distributed out of Ohio (USA).
My can of Coca Cola Zero apparently comes from Atlanta (USA).
My Hersheys Bliss Chocolate comes from good old Hershey, PA (USA)
I had trouble finding out where my LG cell phone is from, but I suspect it’s not native.
Keep in mind that even “Made in USA.” doesn’t mean “made in one of the 50 states.” There are many factories on Saipan Island, an American possession that is only a few hundred miles away from China. These factories are, essentially, Chinese, in terms of who works there, what they get paid, labor regulations, etc. — but the goods they produce nonetheless carry labels that say “Made in USA.” So even when you think it’s not Chinese, it might be!
Well first i had my morning Dr.Diet Pepper (bottled in NC) and got dressed in my jeans and golf shirt both made in China. Tried to call my sister on my cellphone made in China. Working on my three pc’s in my office from parts all over the world. Eating Mcdonalds(don’t nowhere they came from not dont want to know). Driving my Dodge that was made in the USA with some parts coming for overseas. Will go home and get my soccer gear that was made in Taiwan. And come home to a house that was made in the USA.
Update: Drinking another Diet Coke (made in USA). Watching TV (made in Japan). Just put on poison ivy medicine (made in USA). Cut daughter’s fingernails with clipper (made in USA). Ate lunch (mostly all USA ingredients except Thai coconut milk).
We’re living in a world when it’s too expensive to buy American products in the US, so we buy products made elsewhere. Meanwhile with the discounted dollar, it’s becoming cheaper for outsiders to buy US (products). Crazy how that happens.
Drink Poland Spring water throughout the day, but end the day with any decent California wine, or Jack Daniels…..then head for Atlantic City and put your rebate back into circulation at the Casino, but let someone else drive.
I try to use second hand items. That supports the local economy and recycles @the same time.
I dont think buying and using american products in going to help the american economy. We at India had undertaken that experiment unsuccessfully from 1950s to 1990s called Swadeshi (Self made) movement that too with government support. We even went to the extent of import substitution at all costs with increased custom duty.
And the more we did it the worse it got. So in 1990s we realised that liberalization and globalisation was the way ahead and look where it has got us now.
So decide for yourself
Regards,
CA Ashish Ahuja, FCA
Chartered Accountant in India
Indian Chartered Accountant New Delhi India
Indian Company Formation Delhi India
Well I ate a banana, probably not USA, but didn’t have a sticker. BUT have you heard of the new Farm Bill specifications? It says that all fruits, veggies, (and meat) have to be clearly labeled with their country origin.
Kelly,
I agree with you about the solution to our current economic problems. I’m so glad that you and other see it and are trying to do something about it.
I’ve put together a website that features quality American made products that you and others may be interested in. Check it out at: http://whybuymadeinusa.com/
I just noticed that Kelloggs cereal was made in Mexico & since the Co. has stopped their manufacturing in Battle Creek Mi & which put so many faithful long-time employees out of work (no other jobs available) I will no longer buy Kelloggs products. It is so sad. I advocate a tax (import tax) on products not made in USA to even the playing field for American workers & to help the economy get back on track.
I agree with everyone. It’s hard to find Made in USA products. That is why I started my own website. So that the consumer can find things fast and easy. Try it out. http://www.madebyyankees.net You can blog for info too at http://www.madebyyankees.com
I am glad to see that I am not the only one who cares about the NOT MADE IN USA TAGS. My maternal grandmother and my father were both Union people who took a great deal of pride in what they did. Maybe this is part of the problem, there’s more union busting than unions and folks aren’t proud of what they ARE NOT making.
HP Pavilion dv7 – product of China
eyeglasses – no visable stamp
Via Sat Modem – Thailand
Kodak ESP 5 printer – not sure
Kyocera phone – China
On a positive note: shop for food at our local organic farmers markets, all kids clothes go to a local church that does not sell them BUT gives them to any needy person without question. I take my clothes to a consignment where I use my proceeds to purchase from others that are consigning at the store.
Thank you for your blog and thanks to the folks who posted their websites.
I only sell products made in the USA. My main website is http://www.talleryou.com. I mostly sell “Levitator Lifts” a division of “Canfield Plastics” develops shoe lifts for people in need of a comfortable, low cost, high quality product and want to gain up to 2 1/2″ in height. I recently wrote seven reasons to buy American. Here they are…
Seven reasons to buy products made in the USA.
1. Keeping jobs in the USA gives you, a neighbor or family member a job. Remember it could be you or a loved one laid off next time.
2. Helps to keep America strong by having less dependence on foreign manufactures in times of global distress.
3. Money spent on foreign goods often goes to countries that do not especially like us. These countries are building their military and destroying their environment to feed our need for cheap imported products. This may eventually come back to haunt us.
4. “It’s the economy stupid”. Do you really think that whenever you spend $100.00 on foreign goods the third world country manufacturing it is going out and spending it on American made TV’s or computers. I don’t think so. A matter of fact I know a lot of companies that sell goods online and they never receive orders from China, Korea, Indonesia, etc. even though their populations are several times bigger than that of the US.
5. In the USA foreign companies are taking away market share from American companies. In a lot of foreign countries it is virtually impossible to sell to the general population due to patriotism, standard of living, substandard infrastructure for delivery purposes and apathy.
6. If a trade imbalance exists the country has a deficit. This means a weaker dollar and less money to pass back and forth to generate taxes with. This means that the people working will have to withstand higher tax rates to keep up all the services people are accustomed to.
7. American pride and to support your country. Supporting your country is what helps to define you as an American. Many hundreds of thousands of people have given their lives in defending this great country of ours which has lead to our high standard of living and our individual freedoms. By sending your money overseas you will see a weakening US economy which will eventually lead to a lower standard of living for most Americans. We are starting to see this now even as the government continues to print money and the debt is over 12 trillion dollars. US deficit 2009 is $1.4 trillion out of $14 trillion economy, that means deficits of 10% of gdp.
Everything, including my underwear was made somewhere else…
When I saw the quality of Coach bags go out the window I decided to change things. I make my own bags. I am now making some of my own clothes (sweaters and skirts).
I recently bought a DELL (probably the last time I shop with DELL). The tap on my computer was not registered. I have unsuccessfuly tried calling tech support and get someone in India who is unintelligible, doesn’t translate English well, and can’t get a “damn request” handled in a timely fashion.
I am typing on my old computer because that one is reliable (and probably made in the USA).
Folks lots of companies (services such as reading your mamogram and MRI) are outsourcing to foreign countries. These countries are not techonologically or culturally American… and you pay a hefty premium for send the business overseas. Be CONSUMERS. Tell the companies that you are buying from that it is really a better bargain making it in the USA. (Anyone look at shipping costs lately? They are going to go up.)
I am using a Unicomp keyboard on my computer that is MADE IN THE USA. Help support this company, there aren’t that many left. 🙂