It’s not because I’m against other countries I’m not, I’m just US first because that is where I live. I have been since before Trump was re-elected and here’s why.
I see buying from your home country first, the same way as you putting on your O2 first to be able to help others.
I was born in ’82 and have watched as the US has become a consumer nation and not a nation that contributes to the whole of society. The US has become so dependent on everyone else that we are no longer in a position to help our own people. Less jobs of all kinds, more debt, both individually and as a country, and the level of “instant gratification” is higher than ever. I know tech has a part in this as well but it’s not the whole story.
When things get out sourced to other countries the price tag often has a smaller number. That’s at the expense of the people in that other country. The standards of living, work conditions, environmental protection and product quality are all lower or non-existent. US consumers have become so far removed from the manufacturing, and even food production, process that many would be shocked to learn about the slave labor behind that t-shirt or frying pan or that “Easter” eggs were laid at Christmas.
I use what I have already bought, US made or not, and look for US made first when I do buy something new. If each country did this, only imported what they actually couldn’t do, grow or make, the world as whole would be so much better off. We’d all be working together for the good of everyone, not just “number one”.
My food has become especially important to me in this way as well. I buy “product of the US” as much as I can find. I want to support farmers and ranchers that are here in the US following the regulations and guidelines, that I can look up easily, from the USDA.
I do have a couple of exceptions when it comes to food because these foods aren’t or can’t be grown in the US year around. Produce from Mexico is okay for me, as that is closer to me than produce from California in many cases. I know that things in Mexico aren’t great for workers, but I rather buy from them so that those who are there can have a job and not be exploited in the US being paid slave wages for physically demanding work.
All the items pictures, except the yarn and needles, I bought from Wal-Mart. As much as people complain about Wal-Mart they have a lot of US made items. The Wal-Marts in my town also carry food items that are made right here in town; milk, tortilla chips and tortillas just to name a few.
Learn where your food, clothing and everything else is coming from so that you can support the people you want to support. Let’s support each other!
Happy making!