An economy is about more than making money and getting what we want
when we
want it. It is about using our talents to care for our families and
productively contribute to the community. Free trade destroys that
basic
role of production in an economy by allowing manufacturers move to
the
lowest price labor market in the world so they can expand their
profits.
Families and communities have no room on the ledger sheets of
corporate
executives seeking to make an impression stock market investors.
On our level, however, our homes and families are important. Having
an
occupation that makes use of our abilities is fulfilling. Being
respected
and appreciated by our neighbors affirms our purpose and identity. We
have
the responsibility to take the steps necessary to preserve those
virtues to
our economic health. The most important action we can take toward
that
responsibility is to use our money for products and services that are
built
and provided by American citizens.
This task can be made easier by investing $24.95 for the latest
edition of
How Americans Can Buy American, by Orlando resident Roger
Simmermaker.
Simmermaker is a patriot who believes America's work force to be the
backbone of the economy and has used that faith to encourage Americans
to
practice "Consumer Patriotism".
To get an idea of Simmermaker's passion and a taste of the information
in
his book simply sign on to howtobuyamerican.com and peruse the cover
page of
his web site. At the very top are the queries, "Who's pockets are
you
lining? Why not line our own this Christmas?"
These are the two most important questions that every American needs
to ask
when they make their consumer investments. Although the low prices
of
foreign-made durable goods can help desires fit into budgets, note
need be
made that the low price is achieved through exploiting low-wage labor
in
countries with corrupt and oppressive governments. This should not
come as a
surprise to anyone in this country because it was similar
exploitation
during the industrial revolution that inspired the development of
American
labor unions and eventually the horrible conjectures of Karl Marx in
Europe.
In How Americans Can Buy American, Simmermaker explains how to take
the "Buy
American" slogan from a wish to a lifestyle. He establishes from the
first
chapter that buying American goes beyond looking for "Made in the
USA".
Choosing to Buy American has benefits beyond helping fellow countrymen
keep
their jobs. "When we buy products from foreign owned companies such
as
Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, etc., we may support some jobs here in the
United
States, but we lose in the long run since the profits are siphoned out
of
the country, and the taxes on those profits are paid to foreign
governments
- not the American government," reports Simmermaker. "So next time you
hear
about the fact that there isn't enough money for social security, the
health
care system is in crisis, or that we are now running a national
deficit to
increase military spending to fund the war on terrorism, part of the
reason
is that we have failed to fund the necessary costs of government by
making
our nation poorer as a result of our everyday consumer purchases."
The community roots of American economy are in desperate need of
invigorating. Widespread application of the principles defined in
Simmermaker's, How Americans Can Buy American, will go a long way to
restoring life to those roots. The suggestion here is before your
final
purchases for Christmas are made, sign on to howtobuyamerican.com and
order
a copy of How Americans Can Buy American. Your family, neighborhood,
and
nation will be better for it.
Bob Strodtbeck
The Apopka Chief
December 3, 2002
