After working with many large manufacturers and discovering how truly small the world is (and how even products labeled “Made in the USA” are frequently comprised of entirely non-American components)..I realize it would be useless to attempt to ‘buy American’ for nearly everything but my locally grown produce. And the growing season where I live is such that if I wanted to eat anything except potatoes year ‘round..I should certainly be pleased my local grocery imports from South America for fresh fruits and green veggies.
I also take exception with people who give me a hard time for “not buying American” when in fact my “Japanese” car was entirely built with US-made parts and assembled in Marysville, Ohio by Americans. You’ll find those vehicles are a lot more “American” than the great number of Chevy’s and GMs and Fords being built in Mexico with parts from China!
I tend to vote with my dollar towards quality and integrity.
For example, I refuse to buy any Unilever products. I find their corporate tactics (to buy long established brands like Lipton Tea, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream or Pear’s Soap and then outsource their production to underpaid workers in 3rd world countries in truly dangerous factories using completely altered and cheapened formulations) disgusting – their meddling in international politics (see Dutch politics) alarming and above all their animal testing policies unacceptable. Don’t even get me started on their “skin whitening” products and adverts. I despise this corporation.
I can only hope as the world grows smaller and consumers gain more familiarity with where the things they buy REALLY come from (and what percentage foreign made materials that is, the way the company’s treat their workers, etc.) some of these companies will clean up their acts.