66cuda (I love those)-
"…as it happens I do own a sub zero fridge.."
-- That's good - we like ours but I read that they are not doing really well.
"…I did not say I never bought cloths that were not made here I said that I do not intend to do so gouing forward…"
-- I must have misunderstood that. I peruse the boards as a break in my work so I sometimes miss things. I did do my research and checked the website you mention. My problem is finding the actual clothing in stores - I am strangely shaped and do need to try before I buy, thus the internet is not much of an option for clothes.
"…I am pretty certain Millions of Chineese are in no position to buy sub Zero's anyway ( mine cost a bunch).."
-- I idsagree. I'm pretty sure plenty are, out of such a huge market.
"... Beside that, I have visited most of the countries on the list…. The number of sales of our products in foreign lands is paled by the number of sales of thier products in our land and that is no accident, nor is it disputable!"
-- I wouldn't even try to dispute that - too much research involved - though the countries where I was in the army and later for work (Belgium, Germany, United Arab Emirates) all seemed to have plenty of foreign products for sale and in use. Naturally, I would expect most consumers to buy more locally, but why be exclusive? Do American companies LIKE being artificially shut out of potential markets?
"I have found and use a source for American made clothing that seems to be ( so far) within reach of budget, quality and fit...and style LOL…."
-- Well, style is debatable, and I always found the Amish look quite attractive (LOL).
"…I will not make any attempt to go backward and offload my 16 year old curtis matthes TV…"
-- I think my father still has one of these. I have a 15 year old Mitsubishi, myself, that has been through three moves (one cross-country) and has never had one problem. Back then, I couldn't afford a C-M television. I guess lots of people couldn't, they went out of business.
It sounds like you agree with me that it is, indeed, difficult to find some items made in America (your example was computer components). i would LOVE to get everything I ever need or want from American companies - IF it was exactly what I need or want AND COULD AFFORD. We got the SubZero with the house - I would not have paid that kind of money for a refrigerator myself. Why is it we can't buy reasonably priced American made products? I do think the higher transportation costs are going to bring back some things to our shores, but as long as company heads are trying to shave a buck here and there to get into the Wal-Marts and Targets, it's not going to be much. My friends say I sound like a broken record (hmmm, showing my age) when I complain that most consumer products now are either high-end, excellent, and almost-unaffordable, or low-end, disposable crap. What ever happened to the middle ground?
"…start asking "where is this made?" and visibly put it down if you dont like the answer…If you really have an issue with keeping the money here…"
That's the thing - I don't really care about the answer, as far as my spending goes. Do I want more manufacturing here? Heck, yes. I want lots more! My family comes from coal mining (still here) and steel (not much still here). I think it's idiotic that we import steel, but I don't have a problem with importing shoes if they are better than the ones made here (and my feet say they are, for the most part. And I don't have some irrational (IMO) urge to keep my money "here". Other people need money,too, and it seems only fair to give them a shot at mine by making something I want or need and selling it to me. All somebody has to do is make things I want/need in America and price them reasonably, and I'll buy! I never, ever shop on price only; I pay what something is worth. Just because it is cheaper from Taiwan is no reason to buy from Tawain, but the fact that something only comes from Taiwan, or the better one comes from Taiwan, is.
In the end, it doesn't matter whether we like it, or not, the economy is a global one, and will be for as long as we are alive and most likely long after. American business leaders and the politicians that scratch their backs made sure that ship sailed a while ago. It had nothing to do with our buying habits and everything to do with increasing their profits. It's not going to change back, though you and I wish it would.
Let's say some magic happens, and we put a HUGE tariff on any shoes made off-shore. What will people be able to afford to wear for the year or two that it takes for manufacturing to ramp up again here? That's a valid concern with punitive tariffs, I think. On a related note, I think Americans have a great work ethic, mad creative skills, and are marketing geniuses. Why would American companies need govt. intervention to help them make and sell a good product?
"AND for the record SIR, sarcasm is the hallmark of the dim"
No, it's not - it's fun. Sarcasm is a noble tradition. I don't think most discerning readers ever called Jonathan Swift or Mark Twain "dim".
