By Rick Moser
1. You Will Create (or Save) Jobs – Buying products that are Made in America helps keep the people who manufactured them employed. . .and helps their families. More than 11 million Americans get their paychecks by working in manufacturing. . .a significant drop from before the recession and the lowest number since 1941. According to Moody’s Economy.com, if every American spent an extra $3.33 on U.S.-made goods every year, it would create 10,000 more jobs.
2. You Will Help Our Economy – When you buy American-made products, you increase the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States and pump money into OUR economy. What’s more, American workers who made these products then tend to spend money on American-made products, which in turn also improves our economy.
3. You Will Help Our Environment – American manufacturing processes are much cleaner than those in most other countries. Products made in places like China tend to use dangerous, heavy-polluting processes that create long-term environmental problems. . .and there are little or no regulations to protect air, water and land. When you “buy American,” you also help reduce the activity (and impact) of cargo ships on our oceans. The environmental impact of shipping includes greenhouse gas emissions and oil pollution. Carbon dioxide emissions from shipping are currently estimated at 4 to 5% of the global total, which the International Maritime Organization estimates will rise to up to 72% if no action is taken.
4. The Product May Be Safer – American-made products are tested and must adhere to safety standards. Foreign countries are less regulated and the products made there are higher risk. During the late 2000s, lead paint and other toxic materials appeared in many foreign-made toys. These materials can cause significant damage to your family’s health. Products made in foreign countries may also lack safety in design, which can put you or your family at risk. With regard to food products, there is a growing concern about ground contamination, water treatment and crop fertilization in other countries.
5. You Will Resolve Warranty Issues More Easily – Should you have issues with a product that is made in America, contacting customer service for resolution will likely produce a more rapid response and an opportunity to discuss the situation with someone who speaks your language. Exchanges may be handled more quickly and easily too.
6. It’s Better for Human Rights – Many outsourced third-world factories treat their workers in an unethical manner. Some pay excessively low wages; some provide unsafe working conditions, expose workers to toxic materials and use cruel tactics to force them to work. These factories, known as “sweatshops,” may also employ child labor. The United States has laws specifically prohibiting such conditions in America.
7. You Will Send a Message – As sales of American-made products increase, corporations that have a choice to outsource to foreign companies may just choose to keep the next manufacturing job here in America.
8. You Will Feel Good – Making a choice that creates good makes you feel good. You will help fellow Americans. . .and who knows. . .maybe your neighbor!
Got more reasons to buy American? Let us know what you think:
