What you can do for your country: buy American
USA Pennant, made for us in Big Run, Pa., by Standard Pennant Co.
Near the end of his inaugural address in 1961, President John F. Kennedy sounded a call for public service with the line, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
With my right hand jabbing the air for emphasis, I invoke JFK’s words to challenge a new generation of Americans to a different kind of public service.
My ask is this: buy American.
It’s better for the domestic economy, for jobs, for the environment, and for our national security. And on a micro level, buying American gives each of us the power of the purse.
Every day, we vote with our pocketbooks. What we buy says a lot about what we value. It’s a judgment that we make, based on need, availability, color, size, shape, price — and maybe even country of origin.
Purposeful consumerism
Given that 97 percent of apparel sold in the United States is imported, it’s easy to be indifferent to the reality. If you’re of a certain age, imports are practically all you’ve ever known.
But it wasn’t always this way, and we have the power to change it simply by being purposeful consumers. You work hard for your money; be mindful about how and where you spend it.
I like knowing that my jacket was made in Philadelphia, my jeans in Chicago, my shoes in Wisconsin, and that my purchases helped to give jobs to my fellow Americans in those cities and states.
I’m not asking people to suddenly make large purchases that they can’t afford or don’t want. With Made in the USA, my recommendation is to walk before you run. Make small changes over time, much as you would to lead a healthier life.
Let’s take those first steps together.
Start with our Made in USA Shopping Directory: We’ve compiled a list of nearly 150 (and growing) manufacturers and retailers committed to offering American-made products. Polls consistently suggest that most Americans will buy an American-made product to an identical one made abroad. Our directory gives you a wide range of options to do just that.
Start small: You can make a difference even when you spend $5 or $10 on something as simple as a roll of tape, a box of envelopes, measuring cups. Shop for basics this way, or focus on one aspect of your life or home such as kitchen products or tools.
Have a plan: When there’s not urgency to buying, you can be deliberate, research your options, and hold out for the domestic option.
Look at labels: Embrace the relatively simple task of looking at labels or asking about country of origin. Challenge retailers to carry American-made items. If they are indifferent or uncooperative, shop elsewhere. It’s your money.
Buy better, buy less: America has turned into the Self-Storage Industrial Complex, claiming some 90 percent of the world’s supply. We have more stuff than places to put it. Here’s another option: Buy fewer but better-quality (i.e., American-made) products.
Look for sales and discounts: American-made products sometimes cost more than imported options, so be strategic when you buy. Many retailers offer holiday sales or a percentage off your first purchase if you sign up for an email newsletter. But also bear in mind that by paying a little more, you’re doing your part to make our country stronger.
Shop with local makers: By definition, American makers produce their goods in the United States. When you buy from them, you’re supporting local entrepreneurs instead of faceless chains that source their products from who knows where.
What I have found is that the more I prioritized American-made products, the more it has become a way of life. It has instilled discipline in my shopping decisions and given it a sense of purpose.
I’m asking you to join me, for our country’s sake.