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re: Can you live off of only “made in USA” items?
Posted on 2/28/25 at 11:10 am to Rabby
Posted on 2/28/25 at 11:10 am to Rabby
Consumer wins with free trade. The amount of money it costs to feed and clothe yourself is still lower today as a percentage of take home income than it was in the 50s, 60s or 70s.
People get all caught up in the "trade deficit" like with Canada. In terms of what we get in raw materials, both sides are winning. Plus there is a population differential as well. We probably have the best trade arrangements with Canada and Mexico than any other trading partnerships between countries in the world.
Contrary to the narrative portrayed by some no one is getting screwed in thie current arrangement.
People get all caught up in the "trade deficit" like with Canada. In terms of what we get in raw materials, both sides are winning. Plus there is a population differential as well. We probably have the best trade arrangements with Canada and Mexico than any other trading partnerships between countries in the world.
Contrary to the narrative portrayed by some no one is getting screwed in thie current arrangement.
1
Posted on 2/28/25 at 11:16 am to KiwiHead
quote:
Contrary to the narrative portrayed by some no one is getting screwed in thie current arrangement.
I generally agree with your post except for this. Yeah we “win” on consumption but we “lose” on employment.
I’d rather be employed and not able to buy most consumer goods than be unemployed and buying cheap crap with welfare checks. I know that’s kind of hyperbole but trying to illustrate the point that America is paying with jobs.
This post was edited on 2/28/25 at 11:17 am
Posted on 2/28/25 at 11:18 am to fareplay
Even most "Made in USA" products contain foreign components.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 11:22 am to AlextheBodacious
quote:
The meme you cited mentions cars which OP mentions in his post.
I have zero loyalty to big American corporations who benefit from govt subsidies and govt programs which favor massive corps.
Our car mfgs might as well be owned by govt as we retooled their factories for them and bailed them out several times.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:06 pm to fareplay
I've been trying to buy more made in USA items.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:12 pm to fareplay
quote:
manufacturing is a thing of the past.
This is bullshite
U.S. is number 2 in the world of manufacturing output after China, and more than double Japan’s who is 3rd.
We have the ability to do much more with the right government policy. It’s not like we are short on natural resources and cannot do it. It’s 100% self inflicted due to regulatory costs and taxation
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:15 pm to fareplay
Even grapes come from Peru so I’m not sure how feasible it really is
Do people buy a lot of excess junk? Sure. So maybe that should be cut out.
Do people buy a lot of excess junk? Sure. So maybe that should be cut out.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:17 pm to fareplay
With 5 people in our house including 3 kids growing like weeds no shot in hell.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:19 pm to fareplay
quote:
Can you live off of only “made in USA” items?
Here's the twist...you can drive Toyotas or Hondas made in the US, filling up with gasoline that was refined in the US from Oil that was extracted in the US. You can drive to local grocery stores and get a wide array of foods (both fresh and processed) that are local, regional and/or national.
There are still clothes cut and sewn in the US, and there are plenty of boots and shoes still manufactured in the US. The issue would be...could they handle the demand of 100% shift from imported items to domestic by all US consumers. I'm thinking not.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:25 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
I have zero loyalty to big American corporations who benefit from govt subsidies and govt programs which favor massive corps.
I get where you’re coming from but the problem is that most non-US companies are playing the “government entanglement game” in their own countries, and often a lot more intensely. So who would you buy from?
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:32 pm to lowhound
quote:
None of the items you listed are necessities. They're luxuries.
I’m with you. I just hope my shotgun, shells, powder, primers, brass, bullets, rifle, scope, and truck are all made here in America.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:33 pm to Dadren
quote:
I get where you’re coming from but the problem is that most non-US companies are playing the “government entanglement game” in their own countries,
Right. And I have zero loyalty to them either.
All of these auto mfgrs are subsidized, so open markets and let them compete. American companies will have to step up their game and compete better, instead of relying on bailouts and handouts.
China is down from 100 companies that make EVs to 50, their innovation and quality are improved. We need a gauntlet here to force companies to improve.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 12:53 pm to fareplay
Back in the day I thought it would be a great idea to develop an app that could scan the store you just walked into for "Made in America" items.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:00 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Even most "Made in USA" products contain foreign components.
Yep.... Even "Made in USA" Redwings are now partially Chinese.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:01 pm to gizmothepug
quote:
Plenty of New Balance shoes are now foreign made.
If you are considering “assembled” as made then you can find US stuff. But you will be hard pressed to find anything in the footwear world that doesn’t have foreign sourced materials.
Even proudly American companies like Origin have to admit that there simply aren’t US produced midsoles
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:20 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Right. And I have zero loyalty to them either.
Yeah that’s fair.
quote:
All of these auto mfgrs are subsidized, so open markets and let them compete. American companies will have to step up their game and compete better
But there isn’t a way for American companies to compete on a level playing field with foreign companies who are subsidized and tariff-protected in their own countries.
China isn’t going to simply play by some new set of ”fair rules” that American companies decided they’re going to play by.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:23 pm to fareplay
Are you asking can I specifically or can people in general?
I prob can't because I need to watch my sports, so that will require electronics that just aren't made here.
But people absolutely can survive without foreign products.
How much shite are the amish buying that's made in china? They get around with horses and you can breed horses here.
I prob can't because I need to watch my sports, so that will require electronics that just aren't made here.
But people absolutely can survive without foreign products.
How much shite are the amish buying that's made in china? They get around with horses and you can breed horses here.
This post was edited on 2/28/25 at 1:27 pm
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:25 pm to fareplay
I don’t think it possible but what I have been doing for many years now is only buying American made shoes and socks which can be done with New Balance, Allen Edmonds, Danner and Darn Tough.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:30 pm to threedog79
quote:But not your outboard, right?
I just hope my shotgun, shells, powder, primers, brass, bullets, rifle, scope, and truck are all made here in America.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 1:40 pm to fareplay
quote:things have started to come back, especially clothing and other textiles.
From clothes to food to everything in between. I don’t think it’s feasible, manufacturing is a thing of the past.
Appliances are made here, vehicles, furniture, and jewelry/watches as well.
Your only real hang up is electronics but there is a B phone I heard of that is sparsely made here. Just don’t remember what it was called.
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