MADE IN AMERICA

This Week on ABC featured a home where no one could find anything made in the USA.  The home was emptied and refitted with things only made in the USA,  Oddly, the most difficult to replace was the kitchen stove since only two of the most high end are made in the US, hardly within the average budget.  While many products made in the US were within reasonable price ranges, there were several issues not factored in. 

• Considering what the average budget for 95% of the people in the US is today, it is hard to compete with even an $8.50 an hour salary to one in a country that pays their workers $10 for a full day, or use child or slave labor..  Given a choice of buying in America, or buying cheap, most people will opt to get as much from their limited dollars available. 
• Not everyone can buy on line and afford the shipping cost or use the gas to shop at a distance from home.  Many people cannot pay the shipping and handling fees as well as having to pay state taxes for many products which might seem inexpensive at first glance.
• Only those around large cities have the number of choices in buying that one might wish.  There are many rural areas where choices and stores are far more limited.
• Some believe that they must seek foreign made to get a good price and have given up shopping for American made goods.  Many still aren't aware that even if a company has a foreign name, it might still be made in America as some autos are
• If we went to a single-payer health insurance through the government, businesses would be freer to pay worker's salaries.
• Regulations and OSHA don't exist as much in many countries from which we buy products

If some unions were more effective, prices could also go down. Many unions care only about their own images in obtaining benefits for their workers, turning a blind eye to the abuses their workers make of their employers.  There are those who cheat, steal product and supplies from the employer, .and fake expense accounts and time cards. When the company has to pay for it, it gets tacked onto the consumer's bill.  The company will continue to make profit.

These were some quick thoughts after seeing the show.  Hopefully my readers will make many more comments....please?