So throughout this 2008 Presidential campaign, we heard lots of discussion about who "loves" America, yet I never did hear any talk from either campaign about how people can love America beyond loving America’s ideals. I particular, I am referring to the things that American’s can actually do to help this country get through its rough times. When I was a child, I would often hear the phrase "Made in America" or "Buy American". I actually grew up with guilt that if I bought from some place other than America, that I would be literally doing something sinful. Yet now, we have American car companies, including GM and Ford that are failing, and insist that they have cash flow problems that are much more serious than originally understood. With hundreds of thousands of American jobs on the line, not to mention the jobs attached to these companies in various economic ways, why are we not hearing people shout across the airwaves to "BUY AMERICAN!!!!?"
People are outraged at the idea of the government having to "bail-out" these car companies, the banks, etc, and yet some of these people are the same citizens who go out and buy from Japan, or Korea. It is not just the wealthy who don’t buy American either. Surely the most popular car in my area of Upstate NY is a Hyundai and although they have an American plant, it is primarily Korean company.
Now I understand that protectionism is not something that America wants to embrace, but I am not asking to change trade policies or decrease the amount of imports/exports. I am simply wondering what is so wrong with our nation having a little bit (or a lot) of national pride. If you love this country, you need to support this country, and that means buying American. Changing your priorities of choice does not mean America will be in breach of trade contracts.
The car companies are failing, and what is it that they need? They need cash. How do they get cash? Well, the government can lend it to them, and more debt can be created, or, people can simply buy their cars. If we pushed for the days when I was growing up, hearing the slogans, then I think that people would make the connection and would support their country. Just as we do in a time of war, or national crisis, Americans band together and do what is right for their country. Why should this time be any different? Just because foreign countries import into our country, does not mean we have to buy their imports.
I never agreed with George W. Bush when he said that after 9/11 we should go out and go shopping, but in 2008, taking his advice may actually be worth something. That is of course, as long as it is American products that you are buying.
Political Mamma
PoliticalMamma.com