Buying American for Christmas

Last week, the Commerce Department announced that the U.S. trade deficit reached $68.9 billion. This is such a large number that most of us can’t really comprehend it. A significant part of the trade deficit arises from our nation’s insatiable demand for imported oil. Another component of the trade deficit, however, is consumer purchasing of imported clothing, electronics, and toys.

As we send our consumer dollars overseas, our textile mills fall silent, our furniture makers struggle, and our potteries close. Quintessential American brands--like Levi's, Singer, Lionel, Timex, and Oneida—are no longer made in the USA. What’s more, most consumers don’t seem to know or care where things are made.

StillMadeinUSA.com is my attempt to help consumers find American-made consumer products. I don’t spend a lot of time trying to convince people to buy American, but I try to make it easier to do. I also try to lead by example, so here is an update on my holiday shopping: of the total dollars spent, 84% made in USA, 9% made in Mexico, 7% made in China.

Vendor	Product Origin
BuyAmerican.com	USA
Union Jean Co.	USA
Northeast Knitting Mills	USA
TheUnionShop	USA
Hasbro Games	USA
Cardinal Games	China
JCPenney	USA
CWDKids	USA
ColumbiaKnit	USA
GC game	USA
DS game	Mexico
Skooter	China
FisherPrice	Mexico
Flying Shuttle	USA
Channel Craft	USA
Fisher Space Pens	USA

We can choose to support American companies and American workers.