Let's start learning!

Okay, so we're still just getting started, but a few thoughts after some offline chats with people providing interesting perspectives:

• This is most definitely a blog for learning - the author is definitely not an expert and wants to understand more about how to make a difference for the future - so disagreeing or kindly offering an alternative opinion is encouraged!
• Trade is vital not only for the US, but for the global economy.  The obvious thing with China is . . . for every one product we send them, there's an enormous amount coming here.  Question #1 - does anyone know where we can find out that actual ratio??  
• We've got this problem in our country called, "you owe me and I will only work under certain conditions" complex (maybe I should have named the blog - "When did we become snooty??").  The Chinese - yeah, they are getting paid whatever the government determines they should be paid.  Don't know that we can solve that in this blog!
• Question #2 - does anyone know the guideline for what allows a company to say their product is "Made in the USA"? 

And finally, in beginning to check labels, I've noticed a few things:

-Target's "generic" brand of products (example - disinfectant spray, liquid makeup remover) have the "Made in the USA" label

-Aveda skin cleanser (don't know if all Aveda products) are Made in America

What have YOU found so far??

The email that inspired me . . .

So in my original post, I told you I received an email from a retired Marine.  I thought I'd share some of the excerpts with you - interesting things to think about!

Here it is:

Did you see that Diane Sawyer special report a while ago? They removed ALL items from a typical, middle class family's home that were not made in the USA .

There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they showed truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything and talked about how to find these items and the difference in price etc..

It was interesting that Diane said that if every American spent just $64 more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs!

A FRIEND PURCHASED FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART and THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS  SAID 'FROM CHINA ’

FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF  MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS 'FROM CHINA  '

SHE WAS SHOCKED SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS SHE PURCHASED THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF.

Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think while the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets?

70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.

Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA !!

Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.

THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!

Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on July 1st  and continue it until August 1st. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they might have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.

Remember,  JULY 1 - August 1.
START NOW.

Share this with every one you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.

Was your flag made in the USA?

After reading a few articles and listening to several news pieces, it feels like China pretty much owns the USA.  Okay, that's obviously an exaggeration (and I'm no subject matter expert!), but let's at least agree we're not headed in the right direction on this one.  A retired Marine forwarded me an email saying there was a story on ABC in which Dianne Sawyer went around someone's house and pulled out all the things made in China.  In the end, the house was almost EMPTY.  The piece apparently also showed how you could replace many of those things taken out of the house with similar items made in the USA and it only cost $64 additional dollars (again, I'm summarizing - I didn't see the piece).
So, on Independence Day, take a look at a few things.  The tag on the American Flag waving outside your home or the one you held while watching a parade?  Where was it made??  A great housewarming gift - an American flag made from an American manufacturer: http://www.valleyforgeflag.com/36/100-Made-In-The-USA.htm

How about that patriotic t-shirt you're wearing?  Where was that made?

Today, I went to put on my USA "Stars and Stripes" lapel pin and I turned it over to see where it was made - sure enough - China.

I've got a long way to go, but I'm ready to start learning and making some changes in what I purchase.  Just think what we could do if we united our wallets!