MADE IN USA: Please read if you're American.

I try to buy American when possible. Things like socks, household items and whatnot. I used to buy NB shoes because they were still made in the USA. Now, most all of their stuff is made overseas as well.
There are certainly items that you just can't find with a 'made in USA' label.

However... the UAW and Big 3 can kiss my butt. I'm not going to prop them up beyond what my tax dollars have subsidized.

 

A free market system dictates that I can buy anything I need, want regardless of where it is made. That's why it is called a "free market". Your argument for buying only US made products and services smacks of how a communist state operates. People are only allow to buy and sell what the government dictates, which are products only allowed by the government. It seems to me you are arguing against a free market system then...

 

All of my guns, knives and bow related items are US made. Its about the only thing you can find anymore and I refuse to buy a imported item when its so easy to find a good USA made one.
Now Chevy , half Canadian, half Mexico screw them I'll never buy another GM product in my life.
I will however buy a Ford.
And when it comes down to buying a US owned product made in a foreign land versus a foreign owned product made in the USA, I'll pick the one made by Americans. At least I know my neighbors will eat.

BTW I believe NAP products are foreign made......

 

My money cant afford American.

 

Ok I'm not sure what you make an hour don't care but if you don't mind trying to lose a third of your salary than your post makes sense but I know it would hurt you as it did those who took cuts! For you to bash people who made a great living is crazy not to mention have you noticed a price drop on vehicles I think not so guess who pockets the money?? I'll make it easy for you to understand since I can tell your a union hater if it wasn't for the unions your wage would still be the same as it was years and years ago look at minimum wage they kept it at 5.15 forever but thanks to unions getting price of living increases and employers losing valuable people to unions they had to at least pay what a union person would make minus his benefit package bottom line this guy was just asking for people to try and buy American it wasn't a invite for a union bashing! Thanks

 

I assume your statement was directed towards my comment. I think you're making too many assumptions on my feelings for unions. There are many different kinds of unions and a lot of the unions are very valid and useful. However, many are not. I have been in manufacturing for 13 years and have personally witnessed 3 plant closings (all auto union plants). I don't blame the employees, they only accepted the deal given, it is only a small number that truly abuse the system and get greedy. When the auto manufacture unions became a business, that's when things went bad. They no longer were for the employee they were representing. I've had many conversations with union stewards that are good friends and every one has made this same statement. Also, there are thousands of large scale manufacturers across the country that provide a great salary and benefits to unskilled labor. Many people at my employer have been in union shops, and laid off from union shops. They were mightily impressed when instead of laying people off during the downturn, we took people off assembly and moved them to facilities (chaning light bulbs, repairing railing, painting... ect) so they can still get a 40 hour per week paycheck. The big manufacture across the street just laid their people off.

Unfortunately, the skilled labor unions are in the same category as the unskilled unions. My beloved Lucas Oil Stadium was built under union contracts, ahead of schedule, and under budget; how many times have you seen that happen. I also have many friends that are in skilled labor unions. These guys work hard and are great at what they do. The union provides training and education for them to further their skills and improve their worth. They make a modest living and have decent benefits, sadly, not as good as some unskilled positions.

I know all about unions, their history and the role they have played in American industry. Am I a union hater, no. I think some unskilled unions are no longer in it for the people they "represent" and the skilled and unskilled should be in different unions and categories. There are many industries that are unionized and shouldn't be.

Lastly, please don't take what I said as bashing unskilled labor. Everyone has their own personal goals and desires in life. I have a ton of friends that are in unskilled positions and there's not a thing wrong with that; some are even very highly educated.

 

The level of union education is very impressive although I will say this yes I am a union I'm a union operator who is in the pipeline industry I will say this about the auto industry being unionized I don't like the way the big three treated there people when push came to shove I will say this tho if your plant where to lose profit and have to close you would have nobody there to make sure you got every penny owed to you where when the collapse of the big three happended at least those people went to unemployment line with all they had coming! Ok so as for non union shops I'm in no way a person who says if you don't work union your trash because people need to pay there bills support there families anyway possible I will say this if it wasn't for union shops in auto industry you would be lucky to be over $12 an hour depending on what state you live in the union shops forced the non union shops to pay there people or lose them to non union shops so the way I see it is it's all good! Be union don't be union but be American for sure!! First time I've discussed politics on here lol hope it's last time my mind is on whitetails from here on out! Tganks

 

I think we agree on the skilled unions. I undestand your point on the non skilled unions, but that time has past. Currently and moving forward they are in business for their management, not the people.
Sometimes a political debate can be healthy, makes you really look at the position you are in and your thoughts.


Best of luck in the season buddy!

 

I'm not trying to "blame" anyone. It is a fact that there are a lot of imported products, most of the time they outnumber American made products. Simply blaming the companies that import them isn't going to solve anything. However, buying American instead of their imported junk (I'm talking chinese, taiwan, etc. Not fine imported goods mind you) will lower the demand for imported goods, and raise the demand for American made products. It's a simple supply and demand solution.

 

I didn't say "buy ONLY American." you obviously haven't payed attention here. I am talking about junk chinese products etc that have flooded the shelves. I am suggesting that we buy American WHEN FEASIBLE, and if the product is of EQUAL OR BETTER QUALITY. If you want to buy fine Italian leather boots, go ahead. Their quality is unmatched. I never said ban imported goods altogether. Sheesh

 

I try to buy American if I can because I like to think I am helping a fellow American out. I think there is the problem of greed on both fronts however, and thats the reason manufacturing is moving out of our country. Big business owners want to make too much money, and so do the workers. Businesses are in it to maximize profits, and these stupid trade agreements allow them to maximize profits through cheaper labor in foreign countries. Im sorry but these auto unions have become their own undoing, they simply ask for too much. They should have a decent salary to live on I agree, because they help make the business money, but not to the extent they do. No vehicle in the US is totally made here anymore. Link below has some interesting info on where your vehicle is made.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/Part+583+American+Automobile+Labeling+Act+(AALA)+Reports