The Importance Of Buying American

All one has to do is look around to see the devastating effect of the current recession. Foreclosed houses sit empty in almost every neighborhood. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs. According to the U.S Department of Labor, unemployment reached a staggering 9.3% in 2009. Up nearly 4 points since is 2008 rate of 5.8%. In manufacturing alone, the annual unemployment rate was 12.1%. When comparing this figure to an unemployment rate of 5.8% in 2008, and an even lower rate of 3.5% in 2000, a disturbing trend evolves. American manufacturing is disappearing. How can we let the industries America built itself on die?

To be clear, it should be understood that foreign trade is still very important. We wouldn’t want to lose our foreign market. We sell to them, they sell to us. We buy from them, they buy from us. BUT, as a U.S. citizen, you should still attempt to buy American a majority of the time. There are many different motives to buy American, but currently a couple of key reasons have come to light.

Over recent years, people of this country have been shocked by the lackadaisical manufacturing procedures that have put our children, families and even pets in danger. Dangerous lead levels have been found in many Chinese products. Some of these products being manufactured in other countries are literally “poisoned.” Foreign companies just don’t measure up when it comes to consumer protection laws and safety standards.
Foreign companies also don’t measure up to U.S. labor laws. By buying American you can be assured that the product you purchased was not made by a child, but by an adult earning an honest wage. Buying American means you require a higher standard for your purchases. Those involved in the “Buy American” movement demand products made in a factory which does not exploit its employees. In a factory that must adhere to laws pertaining to environmental pollution, minimum wage, safety, etc.

The most important people to get involved in the “Buy American” movement are the children of the United States. It is our job to teach them that they can buy affordable, high quality American made products that are both appealing and safe. They must learn from a young age the importance that supporting ourselves has on our economy. At KidsShopUSA that is our goal. We want to prove to the American children that there are great products out there made in the U.S.A and hopefully cause them to consider American above all else as they get older.

By: Cristin Cohen

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Please check out www.KidsShopUSA.com to browse quality children’s products made in the U.S.A. Works Cited "(UNADJ) Unemployment Rate - Manufacturing Industry, Private Wage and Salary Workers." United States Deparment of Labor - Deparment of Labor Statistics. Jun. 2010. Jul. 2010. <www.bls.gov/webapps/legacy/cpsatab14.htm>.