John Stossl: "Buy American" A Bad Idea

[Bailey Guns]

I admit it. I go out of my way to buy American-made products as often as I can. Especially durable stuff like tools, guns, furniture, etc... Sometimes it's very hard to find what I want without a "Made in China" label but I look anyway.

I don't necessarily avoid foreign-made products from most any country except China. I really hate buying something with a "Made in China" label. Anywhere but China is OK. China just gets under my skin.

Many American products that could, at one time, be counted on to carry the American label are now produced in China:

• Leupold
• Danner
• Burris
• Lots of food items
• Pretty much anything else you can think of

So, while I think Stossl has some interesting points, I doubt I'll change my buying habits any time soon. I'm still going to avoid anything made in China if at all possible.

[Sharpienads]

I usually like Stossel. Usually because of his mustache, sometimes because of his opinions.

[Bailey Guns]

I bet his mustache wasn't made in China...

[Sharpienads]

No way. You can tell by the craftsmanship and quality that that 'stache is made in 'Merica.

[Mick-Boy]

Seeing John Stossel punch Rachel Madow in the mouth is on my bucket list.

[Sharpienads]

Maddow's mustache is nice, too.

[DOC]

Maddow's mustache is nice, too.

Kissing her would be like kissing a fireman.

[Zundfolge]

Stossel makes the same arguments I've been making for ages about the foolishness of "buy American"

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/...-is-dumb-idea/

The idea that spending more for an inferior product because its made in the USA is a good idea and will help our economy and/or the "workin' man" is a fallacy cut from the same cloth as the Broken Window Fallacy.

If American manufacturers want Americans to Buy American they need to make the better product at the better price or in some other way make their product stand out over the foreign made one for some reason other than a sticker that says it was Made in U.S.A.



That said, I do think its a good idea to support ending government policies that make American products less competitive. If we focused on THAT instead of just blindly buying stuff we think is American made then we'd get somewhere.



EDIT
On a side note, China has been debasing their own currency for years to keep the price of their products low on the international market ... in effect subsidizing foreigners who purchase Chinese goods to the detriment of the Chinese economy (the silly ChiComs really don't understand capitalism). So in reality, buying cheap Chinese products will in the long run undermine and destabilize the Chinese economy.

[Ronin13]

Stossel makes the same arguments I've been making for ages about the foolishness of "buy American"

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/...-is-dumb-idea/

The idea that spending more for an inferior product because its made in the USA is a good idea and will help our economy and/or the "workin' man" is a fallacy cut from the same cloth as the Broken Window Fallacy.

If American manufacturers want Americans to Buy American they need to make the better product at the better price or in some other way make their product stand out over the foreign made one for some reason other than a sticker that says it was Made in U.S.A.



That said, I do think its a good idea to support ending government policies that make American products less competitive. If we focused on THAT instead of just blindly buying stuff we think is American made then we'd get somewhere.



EDIT
On a side note, China has been debasing their own currency for years to keep the price of their products low on the international market ... in effect subsidizing foreigners who purchase Chinese goods to the detriment of the Chinese economy (the silly ChiComs really don't understand capitalism). So in reality, buying cheap Chinese products will in the long run undermine and destabilize the Chinese economy.

Well put! I had people get mad at me when I bought my car (I think I've said this before) and they were saying things to the effect of "You're un-American for buying a German car. Why don't you buy Chevy or Ford?" To that I always answer: because side by side comparison my AWD BMW will outperform any AWD car Ford or Chevy puts out across the board, every aspect, besides, it's fun to drive and has the options I want.

Are there great American made products? You bet, my POF P415 is 100% made in America with PA steel and I'd better the cost of that rifle it's better than ARs from outside the US. But, if you look at it, some things that come from overseas just last longer, are less expensive, and overall better quality. I don't go out looking for products based on where they're made, I look for the best for my buck. Call it what you will, I'm a typical American consumer.
Side note: I never buy a CO or US flag unless it's specifically made in the USA!

[ChunkyMonkey]

You want good ol made is USA products to make a comeback? Tell your Rep to get rid off EPA, Energy Dept, capital gain tax among all the stupid bureaucracy which prevent us to compete against China. This topic always pisses me off.