This week on World News with Diane Sawyer, ABC issued a Made in U.S.A. Challenge. See it for yourself here. A truly ground-breaking project, ABC has challenged Americans to empty their homes of imported goods, and replace them solely with goods that are made in the U.S.A.
From curtains, to furniture, to lighting, there are numerous ways to buy American in your home and create jobs for Americans in the process. ABC has issued the challenge, but can it be done?
In the coming weeks, ABC is going to find a house, and conduct an extreme makeover using only American-made goods. First, let me say to all the readers out there, check this segment out, and please consider participating in this challenge. I know that I will. Even if you can’t replace all the things in your home, you can participate by replacing one or two things. If lots of us will do it, it could make a major difference.
If you decide to participate, please let me know what you are going to replace in the comments section. I’d love to hear what you are planning. I know what I’m replacing first – my ugly recliner. I’ve been wanting to replace it for a while, and now I’m finally going to do it.
ABC introduced an amazing statistic to highlight the importance of buying American. If every American spent an extra $3.33 on goods made in the U.S.A., it would create almost 10,000 new jobs in this country. That is precisely the job-creating power that we have as American consumers. We have the ability to create all the jobs we need in this country simply by changing our buying habits.
Don’t wait. Take the Buy American Challenge today.
Until next time, here’s to doing what we can to support our country by buying American.
Randy
P.S. If you are looking for a great American made clothing brand, check out Made in USA Threads!
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YEAH! We fully agree we all have been on the China boat for too long now, and for this reason, we announced last week that our website e-store has been revamped with the removal of all Made in China products and replaced with American Made in the USA products – from custom made bedding to wall decor! Each item is hand-crafted and American Made in the USA by American Workers – our products support a lot of American workers and incoming orders ensure their families they will have an income. We are still looking for more American Made in USA products and as we find them, we will offer them! Thank you Diane and ABC for sharing my dream!
Rita,
That is awesome! Companies like yours, and the decision you made to carry products made in the USA, are the reason this buy American revival is going to work. People can’t buy American if they can’t find find the products. But you make it possible. We are going to get our economy humming and creating jobs by buying American. Congratulations! You should be very proud!
Randy
Contact your favorite eRetailer and ask them to add an option to limit search results to products of a certain origin. It’s usually easy to give feedback on a website. For example, go to this page to contact Amazon.com about “website features” and ask for a “country of origin” filter in the Amazon search: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/browse-form-dispatch/dispatch.html/ref=hp_ss_comp_cu?ie=UTF8&nodeId=508510
Like Randy said, the only way we can succeed in such a challenge is if we can find the products!
We offer our customers to search by manufacturer – the choices are “Made in USA” or “Native American Made” (also made in the USA of course)! We offer everything from bedding to wall decor, pottery, beautiful Native American wedding vases, dinnerware, to Christmas Ornaments – all are American Made in the USA!
I work for one of the oldest lamp manufacturing companies in the USA. The company was founded in 1922 and still producing quality handmade lamps despite the massive importing of Chinese made product. While I’ll admit we do import from China- it’s only because we have no choice! Chinese goods are a third the cost of US products and our customers simply refuse to purchase domestic due to our higher prices. I can’t tell you how many people we’ve laid off simple because China can make it cheaper.
The reason China can produce so inexpensively? It’s because they have no rules! No EPA, OSHA or DEQ to name a few . They have no welding protection- no respirators- no dust collectors- no eye or hearing protection and pollution control is non existent.
I’m tried of reducing our work force and seeing machinery stand idle. Thank you Diane Sawyer for the Buy American Challenge. You are welcome to visit our factory any day.
As the only dice manufacturer in the U.S. I wanted to share my thoughts. I am a certified WBE in the State of Missouri that manufacturers dice for the casino industry. What we are sad to report is that the casinos that make their money primarily on US customers, I am continually in a constant position of trying to convince our customers that my 2 competitors that manufacture dice make theirs in MEXICO. I try desperately to keep the 30 people I have employed and they have gone without raises for 2 years now because the casinos pass us up and buy Mexican. I truly hope your news report on buying American will help companies such as mine
Libman mops/cleaning products are made in the USA….unlike most of their competitors and are better quality in my opinion.
GM (US automaker) had a car factory in Mexico just over the border from McAllen, TX for decades….probably still does.
Nice that you are promoting home products/furnishings but what about our FOOD?
Has anyone noticed that “All-American” food producers are manufacturing food items in other countries like Mexico?
Check your Kellogg’s boxes…….those Special K bars are from a factory in Mexico.
Bimbo Bread of Mexico recently bought out Sara Lee…..
Hershey bars — factory in Mexico since 2007….
US companies need to understand that for every layoff and re-location to another country means they just lowered their own sales — not because “made in….” but because those workers WERE their best customers! Workers without jobs cannot buy your products. This is why your US sales are “down” and your foreign sales are “up”!
It is not always about lower prices; it is about the ability to pay for items. But corporate greed is in charge for now.
We have been trying to buy only made in USA products for the past few years. The items cost a little more but it is worth it to keep the jobs here. These are items we found made in US: Cutco tableware, GMF chef knives, Shaw rugs, Foster & Stearns mattress, Lucky jeans (watch label, not all Lucky’s are made in USA), NYDJ brand jeans, many of the souvenirs at Grand Canyon, puzzles, greeting cards, clothing, Maglite flashlights. If we can’t find made in USA we at least try for Mexican made since it’s the same continent. We try to avoid countries that use slave labor or who force children to work.
I’d like to help Diane or anyone who is attempting this challenge.
While doing research three years ago, I learned how difficult it is to find domestically made products. The searching was difficult both physically in the local community and through the internet as well. Because it was such a challenge, I decided to log everything I could into a database. I have two websites. One that houses the database which can be searched by noun (almost 3000 items to dayte) and a second which is a blog that contains information on hard to find goods and questionable products. I will be glad help consumers find Made in USA products either with this challenge or in their every day search for domestically made goods. The resource websites are MadeByYankees.net and MadeByYankees.com.
Thank you for providing a place for us to post. People are interested in supporting U.S. manufacturing but they don’t know where to find them. Also, many companies are misleading about Made in the USA… I can proudly say Goodnighties recovery sleepwear IS 100% MADE IN THE USA!
This is an amazing technical fabric that helps women rest, recover and sleep better. A wonderful no-pill solution for better sleep. Helps women with body temperature problems (hormones) and those with chronic pain issues (fibromyalgia, arthritis etc.)
PLEASE TELL OTHERS WHO NEED A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP – http://www.goodnighties.com this is quite a discovery that really works!!
SB
I am telling everyone I know to do this and have them tell everyone they know and who they know etc because everyone complains about all the jobs going to India ( mine ) and all the manufacturing going to China and we are left to just buy Chinese,
But – People you all go into Walmart and other stores and never look at the label, just buy it and it’s made in China so you put them in China to work and put us out of work. Then you all complain that all our manufacturing and jobs are going to China and we are being laid off. See the irony?
Syracuse China Corporation, located in Syracuse, New York was a manufacturer of fine china. Founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P. Co.) in the town of Geddes, New York, the company initially produced earthenware. In the late 19th century, O.P.Co., began producing fine china, for which it found a strong market particularly in hotels, restaurants, and railroad dining cars. The manufacturing facility in Syracuse closed in 2009 after 138 years in operation and production was removed from North America.
It is now making Syracuse China in China. All those Syracuse employees out of work and this was a USA company and all those Chinese people are working in our place reselling our Syracuse China back to us.
Stanley Tools began in the USA for many many decades and are now made in China.
Etc, Etc, Etc……….. See the irony or depression.
Thanks for passing this website along to your friends. I really appreciate it. We need more people willing to share the importance of buying American with their friends and family. We will never see the changes we need to in this country if people won’t open their mouths and talk about it. Thanks for posting. Did you take the Buy American Challenge yet?
Well, I own a Marlin rifle, I own a pair of Oakley sunglasses, and my house. All of those were made in the USA. I’m sure there are more and I’m very proud of our efforts.
A better question is, can we all buy things that were made Non-union? If the unions want to boycott us as employers, even though we’re not targeting their union, why shouldn’t we boycott their goods, if there are any?
This buy American movement can’t be about hate and blame. Hating China, hating Wall-mart, hating unions, hating CEOs, etc. If the buy American movement is going to be a success – and our country needs it to be a success so badly – we need to put that petty stuff aside and buy American because it is good for our country, period. We can’t afford to undermine our American businesses and American communities because the workers belong to a union. And every time we buy foreign made stuff when we could buy American, that is what we are doing, just a little bit at a time we are giving away our future. To me, it is throwing the baby out with the bath water. As Americans, we can have our internal difference, but we have to put those aside when the future of our country is on the line. Thanks for posting. If you haven’t already, please take the BuyAmerican Challenge.
Randy
Randy,
I agree –the BuyAmerican Challenge should not be about hating others. It should be a patriotic act that we all do, in order to support our country and support our friends, relatives and neighbors. I am sure many fine people live overseas, but when it comes down to supporting them or supporting my fellow Americans, I’m going to do the latter.
We Americans need to set aside our differences and come together as one people. The government has gotten itself tangled up in all kinds of treaties and trade agreements, but WE THE PEOPLE can negate that simply by buying American goods! Import all you like, but we can refuse to buy from overseas. I know stores like WalMart track all purchases electronically, so if we shun the foreign stuff and only buy USA-made merchandise, they WILL notice!
Randy, you are a real bulls——1 yOU TALK PRETTY TALK, “NEVER BLAME ANYONE JUST PRETEND THE AVERAGE jOE IN aMERICA CAN WALK DOWN THE STREET AND BUY EVERYTHING aMERICAN MADE. yOU ARE TRYING HARD TO COVER THE TRUE FACT THAT BIG CORPS. LIKE WALMART STIFLE AMERICAN MADE BECAUSE HOW THE HELL DO YOU STAY IN BUSINESS COMPETING AGAINST .21 CENTS AN HOUR WAGES. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY WE CAN BRING OUR PRODUCTION AND FACTORIES BACK TO AMERICA WITHOUT FORCING WALMART TO STOP IMPORTING EVERYTHING AND START CARRYING AMERICAN MADE, THEN YOU ARE VERY NIEVE OR SOME BIG SILVER TONGUE POLITICIAN LYING TO THE PEOPLE. IT WOULD TAKE GUTS FOR DIANE SWYER TO CHALLENGE WAQLMART– BUT WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO JUST SAY PRETTY LITTLE WORDS LIKE YOU SAY. wHAT MARKET PLACE IS IN EVERY TOWN IN OUR COUNTRY–DUUUh!!wALMART!!! be NICE–DON,T CHALLENGE THEM,HUH, A LEAKING FAUCET WILL FIX ITSELF IF YOU JUST KEEP TALKING PRETTY, RIGHT
Chester,
I know how difficult it can be to buy American. Believe me, I’ve bought practically nothing but American made goods for three years. I went cold turkey and never looked back. You can check out my actual buy American program here.
You are right that my approach is to have absolutely no villains, be it politicians, Wal-Mart, China, or any other person, group, or country that is commonly blamed for our enormous trade deficits and high unemployment.
Believe me, I have some very strong feelings on the subjects of politics, government, unions, and the like, but I make it a point to not get those issues intertwined in my advocacy for buying American.
Here’s why:
It is simple fact that we would be MUCH better off as a country if more people would buy American. It is also a fact that people from all walks of life believe in buying American – both Tea Partiers and union activists, and practically everyone else, believes that buying American is good.
The key to a stronger Buy American Movement in my view is to put our differences aside and focus solely on buying American. Together we can grow the movement, create millions of jobs, and reestablish a strong, thriving American economy.
On the other hand, if we choose to go down the rabbit hole of blaming Wal-Mart, unions, greedy CEOs, and everyone else under the sun, we will do nothing but alienate people that would otherwise be inclined to join our movement. Keep in mind, I’m not saying we shouldn’t have these debates, we just should not have them intertwined with the promotion of buying American.
Everyone has a different view of the world, and one of the great thing about the Buy American Movement is that there are lots of different people, with different world views, that all support buying American. Americans are more united around this perhaps more than any other issue I can think of.
So, you’re right, when it comes to buying American, I only have one view: Buying American is a great thing. It creates jobs for Americans and we should all try to do it more.
If sticking to that view makes me “naive” or a “silver tongued politician” in your view, then I’m okay with that.
I’m doing my part to spread the word about buying American and not getting sidetracked by fights that are counterproductive, and I feel pretty good about what I’m doing.
Thanks for commenting.
Randy
you say you are not targeting the unions, but if you are an executive figure or management figure, then you know you are a liar. All management targets unions because they don’t want to provide benefits for their employees, they just want to throw more and more money at the management figures. That is why the big wigs want to keep the jobs overseas; because in the first place you are too greedy to want to help Americans have good paying jobs, so you would rather pay slave labor in communist countries because your GOD is a dollar bill. You are pretty close to a traitor because America doesn’t matter that much to you, only how rich you can line your own pockets in selling 2nd had goods that was made for cheap slave wages, and you bring them here and sell them at a rediculous marked up price. If Reagan had left the tariffs intact you would be investing in America instead of communist countries. IIf Mitt Romney himself were a true American he would invest in our country, not foreign countries. Hell, the rich today don,t even know what loyalty to our country is
I have always tried to buy things made in the USA over things made elsewhere. Sometimes I just can’t afford it, but I also buy handmade items by local people (pottery, etc.) and can often get great deals that way. Most of the dishes in my kitchen are handmade in the USA.
There is another website I didn’t see listed here: http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/. There is also a free iPhone app developed by AgencyNet that I use called American Made. I love the idea of this challenge and the makeover!
Melissa,
I’d love to see your kitchen — I bet it’s charming!
If I can’t find something made here, I usually do without. I’ve been using hand-me-down American items from my mother’s and grandmothers’ estates. I have stuff that dates back prior to World War II and it’s still used every day and in great shape. Mom’s Cutco knives are still chopping, and I have Pyrex casseroles which I think may date back to the 1930s or before.
I doubt anything made in China or the Third World will be around in a decade, if it even lasts that long, it’s so poorly made.
Well Lynn, I have a toddler and as of Tuesday will have a newborn, so my kitchen is rarely clean enough to be considered “charming”! 🙂 The most recent example of something I was not able to afford made in the USA was a crib. Can’t really do without that, and regulations change so often that I couldn’t use the crib my parents had for me when I was a baby, so I had to buy one manufactured elsewhere. It was about a $600 difference in price! Thankfully Pyrex is still made in the USA (or at least the pieces I have), and I just received a new set of flatware made in the US for Christmas, so was able to get rid of the set made in China. I was so thrilled to find some made in the USA!
Melissa dear, you miss the whole point!!! The idea today is not for the rich to sell you something of good quality that will last a long time–their intention is to sell you cheap made junk that lasts only a very short while so you will have to keep continuosly replacing it. Todays corporate wigs aren’t about integrity and pride and quality, they are about the dollar only, and that means cheat you, rip you off, what ever the hell trickery they can use to take your dollar. No wonder why our country is in sad shape today– years ago rich people made themselves by selling you a good quality product that they were proud to stake their reputation on. I might add they also backed it up with good quality service because they wanted you as a loyal customer to back their name. Those were good wholesome truly American rich people, they earned it, it wasnot just some scam they pulled off on the public like this junk they sell you today, over and over and over!!! But the Waltons are rolling in the dough, aren,t they
Exceellent! I’m so glad that such a public figure is encouraging people to take action on this.
I recently voiced some concerns in my blog about this very thing. China is gaining advantage but the one thing we can do is refuse to buy their junk.
Another good resource for Made in the USA products is http://www.onlybuyamerican.com/ . The web site claims to have linked to over 100,000 American Made products.
Thanks for telling everyone about this segment. We need to get the word out!
By the way, why doesn’t the ABC show Extreme Makeover Home Edition join this challenge? I would love to see, every week, a house made and filled with USA-manufactured products.
ABC, put your money where your mouth is1 Show us how great an All-American home can be! Do it all the time! Ty and designers, are you up to this challege?????????
Corrected copy.
I am co-owner of ConnecticutHandiworks.com, and the following is an article written from my blog, BuyConnecticut.blogspot.com. Thank you, Jimmy Halloran
When I started my campaign to promote Buy Connecticut I had two thoughts in mind. First was that the quality and reasonable prices of the items produced by the local artists and handicrafters in my community should be available to everyone. The second was, well, read on…
The history of Connecticut is found in many forms all around us. I see it as I drive around and notice the large, old, abandoned brick factories that are now closed and boarded up. These were huge thriving businesses built along rivers that powered the machinery that made wonderful products used locally and sold across the country. Those were the days when everybody had a job. Companies would provide housing for their workers and their families and pensions for their retirement. It was not uncommon for employees to spend their entire lives working for just one company. Whole families were known to work there as well, one generation after another. These were good jobs.
What the heck happened? We didn’t stop using the products that were made at these factories. So what was it? Was it the decisions of business leaders to have their products made in another country for less money? Could be. All I know is that it wasn’t all that long ago that this happened. What I notice now is that we no longer manufacture many products here and that too many of our residents are unemployed and can’t find work. People don’t have the money that they once had. They don’t have the jobs.
Politics is not my strong suit, and it seems like the more I learn about economics, the less I know. Even the experts aren’t sure how we got into this mess and no two people think alike on how we are going to get out of it. This leads me to think that we cannot afford to wait around for others to fix our problems. We must “go for self” by taking responsibility for our actions, our decisions and the choices we make. Asking ourselves, “What can I do about it?” is a good place to start.
First, let us identify the problem, if we can, and then provide some possible solutions. Without asking why the real estate bubble burst, or why the banks aren’t lending or whether we have hit the bottom on foreclosures and bankruptcies or when the jobs will return, let’s focus on the issue of today’s money. Our money. The money we work hard for. The money we spend on purchasing. Where is this money going after we buy something? Will it be circulated among our neighbors? Or, will it go to people in other countries? Are we giving our money away? Simply put, when money is spent on products imported from foreign countries, our hard-earned dollars leave this country to pay the wages and improve the economy in other parts of the world. That said, I don’t know about you, but I was taught that charity begins at home. This is my second reason to Buy Connecticut. Yes, all that I mentioned above are contributing factors to the overall problems we are experiencing. Yeah, the jobs are gone but that doesn’t mean our money has to follow them. Why don’t we keep our money here allowing for circulation?
Let me be clear, this is not a push for boycotting. What I am saying is that there is a need for a heightened awareness to a problem that exists, and so far we are not doing anything about it. So what can be done about it? Where to start? We are talking about the potential for change here.
The analogy I would like to start with is that of recycling. Not long ago we all just discarded our recyclables with the garbage and threw everything into the landfill. Remember that? Now we are aware of the need to protect the environment. We reuse our paper and cardboard; we find other uses for our plastic, aluminium and glass containers. Recycling businesses opened up for second-hand items like wood, windows, metals, fixtures, and so on. We look at recycling differently now with our new sense of awareness. What we are doing, each of us, is protecting our environment, trying to make Mother Earth a better place to live for ourselves and our children. We are all working together, doing our part, pitching in for a common goal. We have also created new jobs with this recycling concept.
Is putting effort into changing our spending habits and bettering our local community any different? We are always faced with choices. Whether to buy that item, made by someone on the other side of the world or from your neighbor is your choice. The folks that make products here, the artists, farmers and handicrafters, their job is to make something available for you to buy. They offer you something of quality for a reasonable price. We can’t afford to lose these jobs. I can only ask that before you buy, read the label to see where it was made and think about where you want your money to go.
Don’t discard your money, recycle it… Buy American/Buy Connecticut.
I am currently sitting on my American made couch, next to my American Lazy Boy, wearing American and Union made jeans, socks and tee shirt. As an employee of General Motors, I try my hardest to buy American made, and am proud that I do so. Many styles of New Balance shoes are US made also. Clothing wise, I can’t find underwear made here, but other than that, I’m covered. Truly appreciate this effort, and as always, will continue to strive to support my country.
Thanks Dominic. Since you are already doing it, please officially take the Buy American Challenge: https://buyamericanchallenge.wordpress.com/take-the-challenge/
By the way, here is the Made in USA underwear you need: http://madeinusaforever.com/wimepebr.html
Ever get stumped, just ask me. I’ll find it.
Thanks,
Randy
My business partner and I started a specialty retail store 5 years ago. From the start we tried our hardest to source American made jewelry, home decor, accessories and gifts. We have had to educate both our customers as well as suppliers but now we feel the movement to buy American is definitely gathering pace.
Now we attend trade shows and are excited to see that the ‘Made In America’ sections grow each year. We have seen artisans unite to sell their products online. Because we need to offer items at a range of price points we can not always find american made goods that suit every need but we try our hardest, and now carry 36 lines of artisan made items proudly made in America! This recession may just have done all of us a favor.
It would help if stores would accept the request to label their items that are made in the USA on the shelf tag. Make it easier for me to locate your domestic product by printing our flag prominently in the top corner.
Heather,
Very good idea! We just need the people to do it. Who is actually going to give retailers the labeling/stickers to use? I would do it locally. It would be a fun regular saturday morning project. I could recruit a few friends who buy American also to help me. Who else would be willing to do that? At some point, we need to have visibility at the point of purchase, and I don’t know how else to do it other than to have to have local volunteers work with retailers to provide labeling. USA-Certification is very useful, but that is going to take a while to get mainstream. In the mean time, labeling at the point of purchase could work. Of course, we would have to be careful not to mislabel things. Quality control would be very important. Thoughts?
Randy
That is a great idea from Heather for all brick and mortar stores to do. But just wanted you all to know on our shopping websites, all American Made in USA products are marked with a ‘label’ (a little icon photo displayed in each product’s image section of an American Flag) indicating just that! We’re very proud to offer products made by Americans and want to show it off.
Buy American sounds great but what about all the US companies that have illegal workers? The carpet industry in Georgia is notorious for that and I’m sure there are plenty of others like them. Guess we’ll have to deal with one problem at a time.
Gary,
You are absolutely right… We need to handle these issues separately.
I’m not saying that some companies do not hire illegal workers, but most companies in fact do not employ illegal workers.
We certainly should not avoid an American-made good because of the mere possibility that all or part of the good was constructed with illegal labor. Especially, when the majority of American manufacturers are not using illegal labor. Doing so would be throwing the baby out with the bath water.
We need to buy American. At the same time, we need to make sure that laws are not violated with regard to the labor used to produce goods in the U.S.A.
But we should not comingle these issues.
Randy
Hi!
Because of the fact that it’s so time consuiming to grocery and one of most of ours least favorite chores, I believe more people would actually buy american made if there was a list of goods somewhere we could reference rather than the checking every item!!
Just a thought!
This is what Americans do get to work! Let’s all get to work and buy American.
[…] https://buyamericanchallenge.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/big-news-abc-issues-made-in-u-s-a-challenge-you… […]
At Walmart they have ceramic flower and planting pots Made in USA
A STORE THAT HELPS GET RID OF CHINAS GOODS WILL HAVE MORE SALES THAN ANY OTHER STORE I LOOK FOR USA IN STORES
I am very glad I found this site. My husband and I have been doing this challenge kinda unofficially. Even so though, we have found several things that we will be buying shortly and are American Made. I will check out the link for the underwear as that has defeated us.
We haven’t shopped at Wal-Mart in years because they are most all Chinese made.
Man-Pans, Cutco, Cast Iron pans(Lodge is American Made), Pendleton Blankets–they are the best!! Buck Knives–no interest in them but they are made in Idaho. Other things I can’t remember the names of the companies at the moment. There are many choices, you have to decide what is important to you, what you can afford and are even willing to give up or just make do.
If you need socks, go to http://www.forbarefeet.com. It is an American company and many retailers carry their products. I buy my socks through one of them and they are outstanding quality (and the same price as the Chinese ones).
I think this challenge is a great way to get the public’s attention on several important issues regarding buying locally. I myself have undertaken my own made in usa challenge, with more of a safety, eco-friendly and human rights twist in addition to the economic value. I wonder if “replacing” items you already own with American made products is really the best way to go about things. These products have already been manufactured and left their carbon footprint. I think the most “un-green” thing we could do would be to start throwing away everything we have made in China. Then we’ll just end up with landfills filled with our cheap junk. I think we need to be more forward-thinking and focus on changing our spending habits, for the right reasons.
I think this challenge is a great way to get the public’s attention on several important issues regarding buying locally. I myself have undertaken my own made in usa challenge, with more of a safety, eco-friendly and human rights twist in addition to the economic value. I wonder if “replacing” items you already own with American made products is really the best way to go about things. These products have already been manufactured and left their carbon footprint. I think the most “un-green” thing we could do would be to start throwing away everything we have made in China. Then we’ll just end up with landfills filled with our cheap junk. I think we need to be more forward-thinking and focus on changing our spending habits, for the right reasons.
Sarah,
I couldn’t agree more. I see no need to get rid of things you own because they are imported. This Buy American Challenge, which is not affiliated with ABC’s Made in America challenge, does not ask people to throw away products they already own. Our Buy American Challenge applies going forward. ABC made an interesting point with the clearing out of the house, but let’s face it, that’s not realistic for most people. However, paying more attention and buying American going forward is. That’s what we advocate. You are exactly right about the carbon footprint already being incurred once the good has reached your home. You are better off keeping the things you have, and buying American for new purchases. Your dollars will go farther that way.
Randy
i HAVE BEEN WORKING ON GETTING RID OF THINGS NOT MADE IN USA OUT OF HOME.
I have been looking for sunglasses made in America. I went to Walmart and other clothing stores and I just could not make myself buy sunglasses made in China. Does anyone know of any stores that sell sunglasses made in America? I cannot order online because you have to see how they fit and look on you. Thanks to anyone that can help. Buy American!
Shuron and oakley make there glasses in the usa
The company I am with is called Rendi and we sell personalized frames and signs. All made in Trinidad,Colorado! For those trying to stick to the made in USA challenge. You can order your personalized frames and signs on my website http://www.lisawilber.rendistyle.com and they will be mailed any where in the USA you’d like and leave Colorado within 48 hours of order. All elements of our products are made in the America, all frames are made of post consumer wood out of Montana. Good luck to all trying to keep this challenge. It is inspiring to be part of a movement trying to bring strength back to our country!
I have been trying to buy made in USA products for quite a few years. Some of the things I have purchased are couch, recliner, mail box, storage containers, rug and shoes. They may cost a little more but they are much better quality than the made in China products. Buying made in USA products keeps our friends and neighbors working and keeps our money at home. Buying made in China products sends our money to China then our government barrows it from them. It also supports communism that we fought for many decades. It makes no sense to do this. We need our jobs to be brought back from overseas and put our citizens back to work and improve our economy. Unfortunately we can’t count on Washington to help. They are too busy playing politics and worrying about their own jobs to do what the country really needs to have done. They proved that with the debt ceiling debate. We all need to work together and buy made in the USA products and help ourselves.
thans for allowing us to post comments.
Thanks for the “Heads UP” Diane and good folks at ABC.
Went to Target to get a baby present. Knowing the couple was very health conscious, I looked for something made from organic cotten or the like….then finally gave up and just for curiosity, not to buy it for my friends, started just to see if anything was “Made in the USA” and found NOTHING. (Did U notice that Oprah?)
By the way, in respect for the South American exchange students my family has had, and who reminded us…. the
USA is not the only country in “America”, so words do matter.
Keep up the good work. Karen@bradfordbb.com
Karen, I too shop at Target but have found more and more items that are not made in USA. Toothbrushes in Target – the only ones made here are the Target brand – all name brands are from another country.
If we can’t buy USA products we at least try to keep it to this continent 🙂
100% Made in USA Clothing!
Bridge Comes to San Francisco With a Made-in-China Label. Next month, the last four of more than two dozen giant steel modules — each with a roadbed segment about half the size of a football field — will be loaded onto a huge ship and transported 6,500 miles to Oakland. There, they will be assembled to fit into the eastern span of the new Bay Bridge. COULDN’T WE OF SAVED MONEY & GAS TO HAVE THE BRIDGE “MADE IN THE USA” YOU AE GIVING ALL OUR JOBS AWAY!!! YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT THE USA. CHINA WILL BE STRONG AND TAKE ALL OUR JOBS…. AND WE WILL BE THE BUMS ON THE STREETS HOMELESS!!!!! WHEN WILL THIS STOP??
The project is part of China’s continual move up the global economic value chain — from cheap toys to Apple iPads to commercial jetliners — as it aims to become the world’s civil engineer. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH… GIVE US OUR JOBS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out this article from the New YOrk Times…….. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/business/global/26bridge.html?pagewanted=all
Why can’t WE BUILD THIS BRIDGE…. WHY IS CHINA…..I THOUGHT YOU WERE PROMOTING “MADE IN THE USA”????????????????????????? OH, THAT’S ONLY BED SHEETS & COMFORTERS…. NOT THE LARGER ITEMS… THIS STINKS!!!!!!!!!! THE BANKS PUT US IN THIS SITUATION!!! IT’S DISGUSTING!!!!
DIANNE SAWYER——WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?????????
[…] Kinda takes the fun out of it… a little… I guess…Did anyone else watch the “Made in America” series that Diane Sawyer did on ABC News? It was good, huh?I want to buy American more […]
Great job! Keep up the good work; with buy American. We can turn this thing around.
Wow. I really interested to your post. It is really impressive. You gave me a lot of information about it.
Thanks
Joshna
“Sleep Store USA Beds”
Randy… I spoke with you some time back, you have hit this out of the ball-park….You rock! http://www.saveamericabuyamerican.net
I was in Europe last week, Germany to be specific. The feeling there is to Buy German. They are in the same situation as us, giving up our USA Jobs to a country that produces cheaper items, with a cheaper and sometimes illegal (in the us) work force. We in the USA are supporting these countries by buying their products. Let the stores know we are only buying American.
Sometimes we have to alert the salespeople that they are selling non-USA items. For instance, last month I went into a Lucky Jeans outlet store & asked the clerk if they had any made in the US jeans. She replied that all of them are. I picked up a pair and it said “made in China.” She looked in the pair she was stacking & found “made in Mexico.” She looked at me and said she had been working their under the assumption that the product was made in the USA. Within minutes all the salespeople were pulling products off the shelf and unable to find 1 made in the USA label in the store that advertises they are. These products are slipping insiduously into our stores right under our noses.
Perhaps it is time to scrap NAFTA. I am a dialysis patient and use many medical supplies in my treatment. I noticed a set of plastic tubes that I use on my dialysis machine daily is made in Mexico. I feel if Medicare/medicaid are paying the bills all my supplies should be American.
Bill Ogden
I am a Viet Nam vet. We have a VA hospital here. I went there today to buy a cap that says “VIET NAM VETERAN” on it. They sell them in their retail store. I did not buy one because they are made in China. I think this is anti-American to sell made in China products in their store. We need to be supporting USA workers instead of supporting communism that we fought against for many decades. JWM Wholesale is the supplier of these caps and jackets that I looked at. I think we should find out why they aren’t supporting our workers. This is the problem we are having with our economy and unemployment. Let’s put our workers back to work and bring our jobs back home.
That would indeed be stupid! We should increase more trade and open our borders more to Mexico
That is what would be stupid! We need better border security and we don’t need to send jobs to Mexico at the cost of our own jobs. I, for one, am real tired of paying for medical care and education of the illegals. We need to let our companies know that we want them to bring back our jobs that they have outsourced and stop buying any of the products made by these outsourced jobs.
I gladly buy products made in USA Mexico or Canada. Supporting things made in Mexico is good for our country! My town is 72% Mexican National and before they came, it was a terrible place to be. now our kids can play outside, new latino businesses have opened, and I just bought a house rigt in the middle of it! God Bless Mexicans who have come here!
Bushnell has “PROUD AMERICAN COMPANY” with an American flag on the front of a package of binoculars. On the back of that package in small print it states “Made in China.”
These companies that do business that way should be ashamed of themselves. I have learned to read every part of the labels before I believe that it is an American made item.
I was very happy to see the Wrangler story on Diane’s show last week. I decided that I would only buy Wrangler jeans. I went to two retailers and could not find a pair of Wranglers made in the USA. Most were made in China, and a few others in Mexico. It was very disappointing. These were very big stores with many different styles to choose from (neither store was Walmart).
I also contacted Wrangler about the jeans and discovered that the jeans are imported. The story covered on World News was regarding the DISTRIBUTION CENTER. While I’m still glad they did not desert the town, how much better it would be and how many more jobs available in that town, if the jeans were also made in the USA. I realize that the items will cost more and these are difficult economic times so it’s even more important that those who can afford a bit more try to purchase items made in the USA. We’ll get that much closer to seeing manufacturing return to America. Also, if you shop on Zappos, you can enter Made in America and then you’ll know that everything you view was made here.
I wanted furniture for my house, but I couldn’t find any quality furniture and didn’t want any low quality imports from China, so, I MADE CHEAPER furniture myself, from local materials, and it will outlast me. I wanted water and septic tanks as well, but not plastic ones made in China, so I MADE fiberglass ones myself. I wanted a solar water heater, but not an expensive one made in China, so I MADE A CHEAPER one myself. I think we’ve finally got to the point where it is cheaper to make so many things yourself compared to importing from China. And it’s not always cheaper from China either. You have to consider the costs of pollution, the green house effect, and the resulting waste and garbage and because Chinese goods are poorly made they’ll have to be replaced sooner. While they might appear a little cheaper right now, when you factor in replacements over a life time they’re a whole lot more expensive. Example: Chinese kitchen knife: $5; Henkel German Made Kitchen Knife: $40. Life time of Chinese blade (their stainless rusts): 2-3 years; life time of German Henkel (your grand children will fight over who inherits it).
[…] Big News: ABC Issues Made in U.S.A. … – Buy American Challenge […]
I have been to dozens of stores looking for American made Christmas Cards, couldn’t find any. Hallmark America’s supposed card company had none that were not made in China. Six Hallmark Stores, zero American Made Christmas cards What is going on! I found some American Christmas Cards on-line at NORTON’S U.S.A. Beautiful cards and they are American Made. Harley
just bought my christmas cards, made in USA, from pumpernickel in Virginia, so proud
I need help ….where can I buy an american made toaster ??I thought it would be easy to find but man was I wrong…….HELP PLEASE
Elizabeth,
You are right. It’s not easy to find an American made toaster. I did find this one business that sells refurbished vintage made in USA toasters. Here’s a link: http://www.toastercentral.com/toastform.htm It might not be what you had in mind, but it’s an American-made toaster all the same. I do recommend buying second-hand whenever you can’t find a particular new item made in USA. Buying second hand keeps the money you spend here in the U.S., and often the money goes to a good cause. An American-made second-hand item is preferable, but even a second-hand import is better than a new imported good. Hope this helps.
Randy
This yera all our Holiday gifta are made in America. Cougar Gold Chesse from Washington State University and Willamette Valeey Pinot Noirs and olive oil form Newberg Oregon where we have our home!
OPPS sic year
Thanks Enrique. Please tell your friends and family about it. We need to spread the word about buying American.
Happy Holidays!
Randy
want to buy american washer, can not find good site that list machine made in america mfg sites do not not seem to say for sure, do have a good website to go too
James,
Here is an American made washing machine company: http://www.staber.com/
Please support them.
Best,
Randy
Diane Sawyer is a fake—because she challanges you and I but she doesnot have the guall to challenge the real problem which is of course–WALMART–they started the slave made merchandise from china becoming so over whelming in our society– but– you don’t hear Diane Sawyer dare to challenge Walmart to do their part of creating American jobs– so, do you still think she is for real or do you see she is a dog and pony show??? Come on DIane– go after the class that really has deminished American jobs– lets see you challenge the Waltons to be true American!!!
Chester, Buying American is not about assigning blame. Honestly, there is enough blame to go around. Buying American is about individual Americans doing their small part to help their country by buying more things made in USA. I think ABC World News and Diane Sawyer have done an amazing job of putting this issue back in people’s minds, discussing the basic economics of how buying American creates jobs, and showing people that it can still be done. I believe that ABC World News and Diane Sawyer have gone about as far as they could go with their Made in America series without really making some powerful companies that sell mostly imported goods extremely mad. If the series resorted to attacking certain companies I believe it would have shortly been cancelled. ABC World News and Diane Sawyer’s approach of not assigning blame and showing the positives in buying American was the right way to go in my view. Thanks for the comments. Maybe Walmart and companies that sell mostly imported goods should be called out, but we can’t expect ABC World News to have the juice to do it. The way forward is to build the buy American movement, and demand that Walmart provide more American-made goods with our collective buying power. Walmart and others will most definitely respond to that. Randy
I like your politically correct shuck and jive talk. The true fact is that Walmart started the Chinese imports and Richard Gere and others tried hopelessly to warn people that we were being catered with goods from communist slavery. but, it got many people filthy rich because it did away with offering customers a quality product for their money and allowed people to be scammed with junk that was produced at virtually very little cost because it was made by slave labor. And yes, if Diane Sawyer is going to cover such a topic she should do it with passion for really trying to bring back America, and brother, the only way you are going to get to that giant empire Walmart is you are going to have to embarass them hard so they finally give in and start carrying American made. But they won’t do it because selling you something that is slave made gives them an enormous rediculous proffitt margin compared to selling you something made in this country by people trying to support a family in a free country. Like I said already, Diane Sawyer is a dog and pony show—she wouldn’t dare take a real stand for fear she would piss off powerful people.
randy, you sound like a typical modern day politician that got us into this mess–in other words– you think as long as you use politically correct sweetheart statements everything is going to be just peachy, well, we have seen the results of just sweet talking vs. telling the truth and forcing people who can really fix the problem to take action– that includes Diane Sawyer using the power of national media to get Walmart to start thinking some about our country and just how cheap of junk can they pawn on the public because it fattens the Waltons pockets and only that matters to them
I say Diane Sawyer is a dog and pony show who is afraid to rattle the cages of the most influential
So, like alot of others you too are baffled by Diane Sawyer pretending she is going to start America going for American made again—- lets see just how long she talks about it and if she even bothers to put the real shakers and movers on the line about it. By the way—howcome everyone in this country has forgotten when Obama was first running for Pres. he said if elected he would push to bring the jobs back to this country–well–how much pushing have you seen on that??LOL!!!!!!
Lou Dobbs was talking about buy america and listing the companies that were going overseas but no one listened
Allow me to give a fast forward of where all this began— Pres. Reagan was an anti-union man, although he of course had no qualms about the actors union helping make him a fortune—and I will readily agree unions were getting ridiculous in alot of their demands— but — where Reagan begins to start the problem is he is the one that proclaimed import and trade tariffs should be done away with so there could be free enterprise. Well, now we all see the great and enormous free enterprise– China now holds so much debt on us it is scary. China still is a communist country only today she is a communist country holding the trumph card on our American economy— All the money she makes off of the United States, the children in that country still have to wear coats in the classroom because the schools are not heated. But, what really is sad is that the richest people in America have no concious about destroying the quality and pride that once existed in our great country because getting overly greedy in the fastest track way is all that matters and to hell with love of country–this junk coming in here from China is exactly that–junk—but the Waltons have no problem with pushing it because cost of production is dirt cheap with communist slave labor and the mark up on it is down right criminal. Remember when a rich man or business man in America could be admired because there was integrity and a sense of loyalty to his customers??? Today he thinks screw you as long as he can con you and grab your money– and American made will never come back as it should until the rich search their soul and once again find some love of country–not just love of dollar
Thanks for the great Blog. I buy USA made every time I go to the store, it is simple. I look for Made in USA items at all times. I am hoping this movement catches on in America. We should be proud to buys Items Made in our country.
don’t you even wonder the slightest bit why Diane Sawyer does not challenge Walmart to carry American made— they sell to more of the American public than any other retailer—and if they went American then this country could certainly fill huge factories with American workers again—but Diane won’t touch that, will she, so I guess she is afraid to take on the big powerful giant, huh????
ABC talks the talk but does not walk the walk. Notice how they shop everywhere but in their own small world called Disney. Go into any Disney Store, on or off Disney World, and find anything made in the USA. Over 100 people died making 21 cents an hour in their own sweatshop contractor, then they have the nerve to say that was not an authorized provider for their products.
Lead by example Disney/ABC, I have seen the prices for a tee shirt at Disney World and seen that nothing was made in the USA. Maybe you could be the people putting that Americans back to work..
I have been fighting to buy American for many years. Union made products insure a fair days wage for a fair days work in a safe working environment . Look how you could end up working for 21 cents an hour in death traps.
The reason all of our jobs have gone overseas the last few years is corporate greed. They are all alike. I would like to see everything produced by American companies overseas taxed to the point of making it a level plaqying field for the American workers. It has not been that long ago that Walmart advertised that they sold only made in USA products. Now you can hardly find anything there that is produced in the USA.
I agree, but I’ve already stated that–still, Diane Sawyer would not dare put Walmart on the spot, she has no real guts, she is just a political pawn herself. The truth is the rich over greedy corporates in this country couldn’t give a damn about whether Americans have jobs or not– they like paying communist slave labor in pathetic sweat factories because they can get filthy rich quick and easy and that is ALL that matters to them. Beleive me, Diane Sawyer and all news people haven’t got the guts to take them on— she is just toying with the common people so they will watch her program— she knows you and I can’t buy American its not available to the common working class people. I still say she is a fake and unsincere and downright pathetic
what would really start the ball rolling would be for Diane sawyer to put the big corporate figure heads on her news program and force them to give America answers as to why they are not American enough to care about OUR country going to work. I am conservative minded but I anymore cannot understand how todays republican politicians claim to love America when they have no problem at all in selling her out to foreign countries and shrinking our own work forces. The real , true American leader today wouldn’t hesitate one bit to put tariffs on imports and force the corporates to bring AMERICA back to AMERICA.
now, when you say “unions” I got a mouth full for them too. Unions have to stop being rediculous and over demanding. A man deserves an honest decent pay for honest sincere labor. But unions want to act like just because you are employed by a company you should get 50% of the company–that is bull—you are entitled to a FAIR wage, not a rediculous enormous wage. Unions are political filth themselves– they usually are a “click” partying on the so called “dues” they charge the workers. Any scamming political crap is JUST that, so I am not no big pro union man. I beleive America needs to take care of AMERICA and we should be paid FAIRLY not overly compensated. Hell’ there aren’t much real honest people left anymore, though. No wonder our country is winding up where it is heading. Don’t let those union political phonies bull—- you too much, my friend
Chester, you can’t have it both ways. We took pay and pension cuts. Highest productivity and no wage increases. Paid vacations and health plans and a safe work environment did not come from the kindness of the management. I do pay dues to help protect me. The companies have high paid people to look out for them, as a union member, I have access to the same protections. Are unions perfect? No. Have they made mistakes? Yes.
I make less an hour then I did in 1995 and went back to college to keep my job. How many CEO’s can say that.
I have not spent a penny of my money in a Wal-Mart in over ten years. They spent millions in California and elsewhere to take away money from public schools.
As for ABC, they are a big cooperation that owns a broadcasting Network. What the American people seem to forget is that we own the airways. We need to demand better reporting from them and less fluff like buy American…
dan, what do you mean “I can,t have it both ways”?? What am I trying to have both ways when I simply state a man is entitled to FAIR pay for honest work, but not rediculous over demanding compensation—many jobs have been lost in this country from unions “protecting” people right out of a job!! If I owned a company, I would want to pay my people decently, but no fat fart who is really too lazy to work is going to give himself a political title and then think he is going to strong arm me. As far as CEO and so forth go, people with high college degrees are going to make more than I am. A fair compensation is all I expect. Bottom line is, your unions are going to have to willing to be more sensible than they were in the past if America is ever going to go back to work. Sure, I know todays rich are more cold and selfish than were rich people when even the rich truly loved America and not just a dollar. We don,t need to settle for being peasants but we can,t all expect to live like kings, either. Search your heart, thank our LORD and be content for HIS blessings
this is reply to james welch—you say lou dobbs was talking about all jobs going overseas but no one listened–did ol’Lou mention that Ronald Reagan was the President who pushed to lift tariffs off imports and allow it all to go overseas in the name of what he called “free enterprise”? Ronald was one who wanted to bust unions but all the big bucks in his own pockets from the Actors Guild was just fine though. Ok for me but not for you,huh?? Well, we sure have got our free enterprise today, don’t we? I’m sure the communist dictators certainly are liking it today!!!! And all those republicans and democrats alike in Washington sure are 100% American, aren’t they?!?!?!
Chester read your last post and read mine again. Union member, pay cuts give backs, losses of benefits and pensions. Management shipped jobs overseas, raised product prices and kept the profits. No matter what, I won’t work for 21 cents an hour in a hell hole sweatshop. I have worked in both union and non union work sites and in the public and private sector as well. Management at both places had only one thing in mind. That is the bottom line. However; in the union locations I was treated better. In the non-union shop a computer is harder to replace then an employee. As for unions destroying jobs see above. Just how much do I have to give up so the CEO and the high management have their third home in the Bahamas? Made concessions and the jobs still left. I pay taxes, love my country and proud to be a union member. I treat my union like car insurance, something I may not being overly happy about paying for, but, glad it is there when I, or my brothers and sisters need it.
If you want to see how a good company is run take a good look at Costco. I, personally, buy local and buy American as much as possible.
Chester, I know you will think of a dozen more things to say. I respect your opinions even though me not agree. I try to keep an open mind and hope you will do the same. I, like you enjoy a good debate; however, I am done.
Good luck and God bless. Buy American!
Dan, didn’t intend to offend you, basically you and I both want America tobe strong again. I agree about the big shot CEO’s etc, they are selfish and heartless, true. I want jobs back in America where they belong, not in sweat shops in communistic countries. I want to buy American, but so little is produced in America today that common working people can,t really just run down the road and buy American. Until Boer and his cronies get tar and feathered and run out of town American factories and mills aren’t coming back here in any significant numbers. Romney made 14 million last year off FOREIGN investments, NOT American investments. Hard to beleive he or Boer really give a flip if we have work in this country for the average Joe. One last thing, were you saying Costco is truly good company to their employees? Take care of yourself, freind, from one hard worker to another. Happy holidays to you and your family
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If you put out a challenge then you yourself should live by your own challenge …ABC should tell their parent company Walt Disney to buy and sell American made products at all their parks!
I’ve stated it many times; Diane Sawyer is a fake. She is only trying to woo a liberal audience– she knows if you take on the task of bringing production back to the U.S., you have to challenge the Walt Disney company, sure, but even more so you have to take on the WALTONS!!! After all, what giant retailer FIRST started putting slave made goods all over America and pioneered the way for all our factories and mills here to be replaced with cheap made junk from communistic countries forcing slave laborers to work extra shifts off the clock for free. Diane Sawyer is gutless, she can say pretty , rosy words to a camera, but I truly beleive she really doesn’t care about the jobs dilemna in our country– heck man, she’s making millions toying with your emotions and mine also. Think about it!
haven’t you noticed Diane Sawyer doesnot even reply to any statements anyone makes in challenging her sincerity in her little made in America gimick? She is just toying around on peoples emotions and I betcha she will back out of the whole scenerio before long. Certain comments are starting to present a challenge to HER, so its about time for her to try to sheepishly back out of the whole deal. Guess her being as great of a multi- millionaire as possible kind of overrides her principles or any patriotism she may have THOUGHT she had. She’s a FAKE, man, plain and simple.
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Randy, how much does Diane Sawyer pay you to help futher her propaganda, I really don,t thimk that lying woman would report truth if it were her last day on earth to doit
So sorry you feel that way. Personally we’re GLAD Diane brought the subject up and is promoting the ‘American Made’ way of life! Because we offer ONLY American Made in the USA products, we are PROUD to help the economy grow one product at a time, supporting hundreds of American citizens and about 30 small businesses! I personally hope she stays on the subject until we are a nation of manufacturing again where everyone has a job working here in the USA! We’re always looking for more Made in USA products to offer our customers who take buying American Made seriously!
noticed you didn’t admit your on her payroll, No one wants to see American made come back as strong as I do– but that baloney about mexico buying so much America made?? Not that niave!!!
[…] you know if every American spent an extra $3.33 on goods made in the USA, it would create almost 10,000 new jobs in this country. By providing a steady stream of orders to US factories, we’re creating […]
[…] you know if every American spent an extra $3.33 on goods made in the USA, it would create almost 10,000 new jobs in this country. By providing a steady stream of orders to US factories, we’re creating […]
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