I cannot claim originality on this, but it meant enough to me to share.
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Here are some ideas:
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership. It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the dollars on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are millions of owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. How about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
How about just taking the time to make your own, personal Christmas card with your words from your heart to show how you appreciate your friends and loved ones.
THIS needs to be the new American Christmas tradition.
Feel free to share this with anyone you want.
Showing posts with label american. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Friday, May 22, 2009
As Rome Burned
What is happenening in the United States?
The national debt has almost doubled since 2000 from $5.3 trillion to almost $10 trillion, and climbing daily. What does that mean? That means that every man, woman and child living in the United States today would need to write a check in the amount of almost $80,000 to bring us to zero?
Why and how has this happened?
The number one reason is that we have become lazy, and those "in charge" promote and encourage that laziness. Our standard of living has rapidly increase, while our production has plummeted. We are a nation of consumers rather than a nation of producers. Then, when all of the jobs go to Japan, then Korea, then China and Mexico, everyone complains and screams "Buy American Made Products!"
Of course, when they go to buy American Made products they learn that the price is much higher, and in some cases, the quality is less. Then, instead of trying to work together, labor wants higher wages so they can afford the American Made products, while business tries to get the government to reduce its tariffs against products that it has manufactured overseas.
The legislators (local, state and federal) have much more important things to consider ... like re-election. While the signs of imminent disaster regarding the collapse of the housing market, and therefore, the banking industry, the government officials went merrily along throwing mud at their opponents and getting donations in order to win election or re-election. In the mean time, Rome started burning while they played their fiddles.
There are some difficult decisions and actions that need to be taken in the years to come, and it is going to hurt. The world is smaller because of the Internet and the time for travel and shipping.
And we cannot depend on "The Government" to make it all better. They are the ones who helped screw it up in the first place. It has to come from each of us. It starts with education. Turning off the television, dumping the X-Box and making ourselves more valuable to the world economy as producers, rather than consumers.
Watch for my upcoming book: GREED: The American Dream becomes The Global Nightmare.
The national debt has almost doubled since 2000 from $5.3 trillion to almost $10 trillion, and climbing daily. What does that mean? That means that every man, woman and child living in the United States today would need to write a check in the amount of almost $80,000 to bring us to zero?
Why and how has this happened?
The number one reason is that we have become lazy, and those "in charge" promote and encourage that laziness. Our standard of living has rapidly increase, while our production has plummeted. We are a nation of consumers rather than a nation of producers. Then, when all of the jobs go to Japan, then Korea, then China and Mexico, everyone complains and screams "Buy American Made Products!"
Of course, when they go to buy American Made products they learn that the price is much higher, and in some cases, the quality is less. Then, instead of trying to work together, labor wants higher wages so they can afford the American Made products, while business tries to get the government to reduce its tariffs against products that it has manufactured overseas.
The legislators (local, state and federal) have much more important things to consider ... like re-election. While the signs of imminent disaster regarding the collapse of the housing market, and therefore, the banking industry, the government officials went merrily along throwing mud at their opponents and getting donations in order to win election or re-election. In the mean time, Rome started burning while they played their fiddles.
There are some difficult decisions and actions that need to be taken in the years to come, and it is going to hurt. The world is smaller because of the Internet and the time for travel and shipping.
And we cannot depend on "The Government" to make it all better. They are the ones who helped screw it up in the first place. It has to come from each of us. It starts with education. Turning off the television, dumping the X-Box and making ourselves more valuable to the world economy as producers, rather than consumers.
Watch for my upcoming book: GREED: The American Dream becomes The Global Nightmare.
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