I have to admit that I grew up in a hoome where my dad was adamant that we buy products made in the USA. I didn't necessarily understand it growing up, but now that I am a "older" and more aware, I have to admit I get it now.
My sister has been working and living in the middle east for nearly four years now. I have been to visit her a couple of times. In speaking with her and visiting the area, it is interesting to note how "aware" the population is of "where" exactly what they are buying comes from.
In the grocery market, each fruit or veggie has a specific sign that informs the buyer of where it was grown. Egyptian, Indian, Chinese... etc.
I have a challenge to issue, which my sister actually challenged me to do and which my dad has done for years. I challenge you all to try and buy products made in the USA... here is why:
Our economy sucks, we need jobs... America is based on "fake" money anymore we barely "make" anything because companies want to save $$$, which is why when the banks failed (fake product... fake money) our country spiraled downward. Buying items made in America keeps more money here in the USA.
Buying products made in the USA really does not "cost" a lot more. The difference is actually just a few cents in many cases, and in all honesty you end up with a better product much of the time that the few cents is worth it.
Now I know $$$ is important right now since we all need to save with gas prices rising, the job market still a challenge with high unemployment, and so many people are just "scraping" by. Try this... if you can't afford to buy a product made in the USA, just try to avoid buying products made in China. You will probably save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year. You can't really walk in to a Dollar store to buy something that is not made in China (and really what is the "quality" of the product you buy from the Dollar store you just have to buy another one after just a few weeks).
Watch how much "less" junk, things you don't need, you buy if you avoid buying products made in China. The main reason... nearly everything is made in China.
Think of it like going on a diet, for most people if you cut out "one" thing like soda or fast food, you lose a few pounds almost immediately. Well, this is the same thing, it is kind of like a "spending" diet. I bet you will find it harder than you think it is. So I challenge you, buy things Made in the USA and avoid buying things made in China. You will see you "spend" a lot less and only buy things you really need (because you had to put the work in to find them made in the USA).
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
What is going on in our country?
I wanted to wait a few days to make sure I still felt the same way. It has been a couple of weeks since a senator was "silenced" thus "silencing" thousands of people in the nation.
It has been a few days since a senator's vote was bought, and there was no public outrage from the other 59 states that will have to pick up the tab and pay for health care for one state. Even worse, no public outrage from the people who put those representatives in office who simply turned a blind eye and allowed it, going along with the "party" line instead of actually reading what they were signing and acknowledging the tit-for-tat that had to occur to get the ONE vote needed to pass without compromise so that it passed by more than one vote. That doesn't seem right to me. Doesn't it seem that there is something wrong with a piece of legislation when one person can hold an entire party hostage to get an "out?" And yet it seems no one cares. The headlines have been barely covering it.... no one seems to realize the underhandedness that is going on.
I think a friend at work is right, there need to be term limits on senators and congressman. Our president has a term limit, so should they so instead of taking forever to go no where or worrying so much about being re-elected as opposed to actually doing a good job they can concentrate on making good decisions for our country.
I am really starting to think the government is too big brotherish now. I thought the point of the federal government was national security, primarily from outside entities. When did it become their job to determine every aspect of our lives?
I think I have to read more on this whole tea part movement by the libertarians if only to support them so that there can be more diversity in the senate and congress so that "one vote" can't just be bought to get the job done. Maybe if we had three parties in congress and the senate it would actually require negotiation. Don't people realize it isn't about WINNING it is about doing what is right for everyone. Having some people not have to pay, entire states get to opt out, etc... that is not what we meant for congress to do. We meant for congress to come to a compromise where everyone gives in a little.
It is a scary time.
It has been a few days since a senator's vote was bought, and there was no public outrage from the other 59 states that will have to pick up the tab and pay for health care for one state. Even worse, no public outrage from the people who put those representatives in office who simply turned a blind eye and allowed it, going along with the "party" line instead of actually reading what they were signing and acknowledging the tit-for-tat that had to occur to get the ONE vote needed to pass without compromise so that it passed by more than one vote. That doesn't seem right to me. Doesn't it seem that there is something wrong with a piece of legislation when one person can hold an entire party hostage to get an "out?" And yet it seems no one cares. The headlines have been barely covering it.... no one seems to realize the underhandedness that is going on.
I think a friend at work is right, there need to be term limits on senators and congressman. Our president has a term limit, so should they so instead of taking forever to go no where or worrying so much about being re-elected as opposed to actually doing a good job they can concentrate on making good decisions for our country.
I am really starting to think the government is too big brotherish now. I thought the point of the federal government was national security, primarily from outside entities. When did it become their job to determine every aspect of our lives?
I think I have to read more on this whole tea part movement by the libertarians if only to support them so that there can be more diversity in the senate and congress so that "one vote" can't just be bought to get the job done. Maybe if we had three parties in congress and the senate it would actually require negotiation. Don't people realize it isn't about WINNING it is about doing what is right for everyone. Having some people not have to pay, entire states get to opt out, etc... that is not what we meant for congress to do. We meant for congress to come to a compromise where everyone gives in a little.
It is a scary time.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
My letter to my congressman
Hello and good day,
I am writing to urge you to think very long and hard about the new health care reform proposals being presented to congress. I have been a lifelong democrat/liberal but with the growing debt, lack of demand by our party for personal responsibility, and now the continued reward for irresponsibility this additional legislation will provide is too much.
This legislation is not addressing the needs of the people who actually pay for their health care, which is what we are truly concerned about. Being denied services such as surgery, physical therapy, and medication because of health insurance bureaucracy is my problem.
I am tired of paying... paying for the housing, food, bills, clothes, cars, and schools of irresponsible individuals who have no desire to help themselves and instead choose to live of the system. Buying drugs, or Nike shoes, new cars, houses they can't afford, etc, while as a responsible citizen who make educated and informed decisions to live responsibly must pay for their being without any say in how my income taxes (which are nearly 40% by the way) are spent and who gets my help.
Because I chose not to have children until I can afford them, I am taxed. Because Jane Doe knows she can get more money for each kid she has more. It is not about religion, it is not about abortion, it is about responsibility. The reality is, families cost this country more so they should be contributing more to our government and how it functions.
It is time for true equality. Equality of taxation and responsibility. Our Constitution states the "pursuit" of happiness is a right. I cannot pursue happiness because I am paying for the happiness of others who are not "pursing" anything. It is time for a straight across federal income tax that treats everyone equal. Not based on income, family size, or anything. To be equal would mean we are all treated the same by the government. What we have now is preferential treatment for the lowest non-contributing portion of society who are "exempt" from taxes.
During the election, Obama spoke of service. Write into the health care bill and any other bill that provides money to individuals who are "hard pressed" to earn it through service. How many government buildings, national parks, federal roads, state roads, public parks, private volunteer opportunities exist in this country. If people want something from the government, they should give back in anyway they can. Pick up trash for all I care. People can log and submit community service as payment for the services they receive, if they can't earn an income to pay taxes.
I am tired of the "riders" on bills so that they "get pushed through." I am tired of lobbyists and congress deciding things without public input. I am tired of problems not being addressed because of the double-dealing. Tell me how, I can work toward a constitutional amendment that "bans" riders on bills.
Tell me how I can work toward a constitutional amendment that guarantees my right to bear arms so the bad guys are the only ones with guns.
I want to know how "we the people" can actually get things done to solve problems instead of use a tit for tat method which helps no one and never addresses the problem.
I am writing to urge you to think very long and hard about the new health care reform proposals being presented to congress. I have been a lifelong democrat/liberal but with the growing debt, lack of demand by our party for personal responsibility, and now the continued reward for irresponsibility this additional legislation will provide is too much.
This legislation is not addressing the needs of the people who actually pay for their health care, which is what we are truly concerned about. Being denied services such as surgery, physical therapy, and medication because of health insurance bureaucracy is my problem.
I am tired of paying... paying for the housing, food, bills, clothes, cars, and schools of irresponsible individuals who have no desire to help themselves and instead choose to live of the system. Buying drugs, or Nike shoes, new cars, houses they can't afford, etc, while as a responsible citizen who make educated and informed decisions to live responsibly must pay for their being without any say in how my income taxes (which are nearly 40% by the way) are spent and who gets my help.
Because I chose not to have children until I can afford them, I am taxed. Because Jane Doe knows she can get more money for each kid she has more. It is not about religion, it is not about abortion, it is about responsibility. The reality is, families cost this country more so they should be contributing more to our government and how it functions.
It is time for true equality. Equality of taxation and responsibility. Our Constitution states the "pursuit" of happiness is a right. I cannot pursue happiness because I am paying for the happiness of others who are not "pursing" anything. It is time for a straight across federal income tax that treats everyone equal. Not based on income, family size, or anything. To be equal would mean we are all treated the same by the government. What we have now is preferential treatment for the lowest non-contributing portion of society who are "exempt" from taxes.
During the election, Obama spoke of service. Write into the health care bill and any other bill that provides money to individuals who are "hard pressed" to earn it through service. How many government buildings, national parks, federal roads, state roads, public parks, private volunteer opportunities exist in this country. If people want something from the government, they should give back in anyway they can. Pick up trash for all I care. People can log and submit community service as payment for the services they receive, if they can't earn an income to pay taxes.
I am tired of the "riders" on bills so that they "get pushed through." I am tired of lobbyists and congress deciding things without public input. I am tired of problems not being addressed because of the double-dealing. Tell me how, I can work toward a constitutional amendment that "bans" riders on bills.
Tell me how I can work toward a constitutional amendment that guarantees my right to bear arms so the bad guys are the only ones with guns.
I want to know how "we the people" can actually get things done to solve problems instead of use a tit for tat method which helps no one and never addresses the problem.
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