This article is Part 1 of a series
Are you tired of looking at the label on whatever you just bought only to see it was made in another country? It really doesn’t matter which one, but it’s frustrating to see the names of almost every country in the world except for the USA. Wouldn’t it be nice to see Made in the USA once in a while? Usually, we just shake our heads or complain to our family and friends, after all, what can we do? Most of us are not trade negotiators or corporate CEOs, we don’t enact laws and don’t want to, so what could you or I do to help bring manufacturing back to the United States? Is it possible something simple might work?
Here’s an easy and powerful idea
Why don’t we just ask? That’s right, just ask. The next time you plan to buy something, … anything, look for an American made product first. If you can’t find one, ask. For example, if you’re in a retail store, ask the manager if they sell products made in America. If you’re shopping online, send an email or call and ask the same thing. If they say no, tell them you’re sorry to hear that and you’ll have to look elsewhere. Tell them when they do begin carrying products made in the USA, to let you know and leave contact information so they can. Anonymous requests have far less impact than when real people start asking.
Make “Made in the USA” a habit
This is easy to do, everyone can do it and you don’t have to buy anything you weren’t planning to buy. Just decide today, the next time you buy anything, before you buy, ask for the American made product. Make it known that it’s important to you. If you ask and your family asks, your neighbors ask and your friends ask, it’s pretty easy to see what could happen. Millions of Americans asking for American made products creates a real demand right now. If no one is making those products, you can bet someone soon will. If stores don’t carry them now, they will. Customer demand is funny that way. Stores will start looking for manufacturers in the USA to serve their customers, companies will get a very clear message, make products in the USA to supply the stores. It’s simple, it’s easy, it can work. Don’t think so? Just ask.
