To Boost the Local Economy, Buy From Among Tens of Thousands of Local Producers

Unemployment is one of the most persistent problems facing our nation. Buying products made in this country is the most direct way you can help create jobs for unemployed members of our extended American family. This country imported $600 billion worth of consumer products last year. If we Americans were to substitute $100 billion worth of American goods for $100 billion of foreign imported goods, we could create over 1 million American manufacturing jobs. All you have to do to help in this effort is to make products manufactured in this country your default choice when you go shopping.

Buying American is easy given the plethora of outstanding American products. Cars, major appliances, furniture, apparel and shoes are all produced in this country by firms that have been in business for over a hundred years and firms launched in just the last few years. The renaissance of the Big Three is well known but did you know that Hondas, Toyotas, BMWs and Volkswagens are manufactured by American workers? Some of the finest appliances you can buy are made by Subzero, Viking and Wolf, all American firms employing American workers to make their products. Virtually every piece of furniture that Room & Board sells is made by small furniture manufacturers in this country. Hart Schaffner Marx, Brooks Brothers and Karen Kanes American workers make outstanding apparel for men and women. The finest shoes in the world arent made in Italy, but rather in Port Washington, Wisconsin by the Allen Edmonds. Virtually every product you or your family needs is produced in this country.

Buying American isnt going to break your familys budget. A couple of examples. Wigwam Mills makes stylish, durable socks in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Wigwams Super 60 Seven Pair pack sells for $16.00. In Arcola, Illinois, the Libman Company makes brooms, mops, brushes and about everything else needed to keep your home spic and span. You can pick up a Libman Wonder mop at Bartells for eight bucks. Need some jeans? Both Buddy Jeans and Texas Jeans will sell you a pair of jeans made of American fabric and sewn by American seamstresses for $29.99. You simply wont break the bank buying American.

The American manufacturing sector is critical to our economy for several reasons. First, manufacturing jobs pay more than jobs in the service sector. Second, manufacturing firms keep American industry on the cutting edge of technology. According to a recent study by the Brookings Institute, while the manufacturing sector only accounts for about 11 percent of GDP, manufacturing firms accounts for 68 percent of all domestic R&D spending by companies in the United States. Finally, an American employed in manufacturing can join the middle class in this country without first having to receive a four year college degree.

Washington State is home to a host of great firms making world-class consumer goods. ManPans make high performance cookware in Spokane. Liberty Bottleworks is the only U.S. manufacturer of aluminum water bottles; their plant in Union Gap produces a dizzying array of different bottle designs. But you dont even need to leave the confines of the Emerald City in order to buy many great consumer products. Seattles favorite furniture firm is McKinnon Furniture; McKinnons manufacturing facility is in Soho while their showroom is under the Viaduct on Western. Sheila McKinnon and her compatriots handcraft some of the most beautiful furniture you will ever see. If you need products for your next backpacking trip to the Olympics, Feathered Friends, Cascade Designs and Filson all make outdoor products right here in town. You would be amazed at all the wonderful products you can wear, ride, and use that are made by your fellow citizens of our fine city.

Pundits say that unemployment in this country is an intractable problem, a problem completely resistant to one persons efforts. Prove the pundits wrong. You have more power than you know. Simply by changing your default purchase to an American made product, you can help provide jobs for Americans who so desperately want to work. All journeys begin with a first step. Take your first step today. When you go out to the market or the mall, purchase American made products. A simple act yes, but an act that can have a big impact.

John Briggs, an attorney practicing law in Seattle, is finishing up a book entitled Simply American– Putting Our Extended American Family Back To Work. He also has a blog on all thing Made in America at www.simply-american.net