Made in China
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Editor,
Over the course of the last two years, I have become more sensitive to the fact that much of what we buy in American is manufactured abroad, most often in China. It has been too overwhelming for me to boycott every foreign country, so I have made a concerted effort not to buy anything made in China. As I have looked through catalogs, most items say imported, which necessitates a call to the 24 hour/seven day-a-week line. I ask where the item was made and am told that the country of origin is Mexico, Peru, Vietnam, El Salvador, Pakistan, India, and most frequently China.
Today I spent the afternoon shopping locally for a few Christmas cards and small gifts but encountered much frustration endeavoring to keep my promise to myself not to buy articles manufactured in China. I went to a store that is locally owned and perused the giftware. There was not one item, of a very large inventory, that was not made in China. I believe in patronizing local businesses, but could not because they carried a large array of goods not manufactured in America. My next stop was in Polson to buy a little produce and some greeting cards. The avocado and the radishes I purchased were from Mexico. I went to the greeting card section, painstakingly selected about 20 cards, but had to replace 10 of them since they were made in China. My next stop was Walmart and my frustration mounted. Most of the greeting cards, tissue, and gift bags are made guess where? Need I say?
What am I doing about gift needs, you ask? I am giving gift certificates to a little restaurant in Ronan that serves breakfasts, lunches and provides many good baked delicacies. This will fit my requirement of supporting local businesses and giving something that is made in the USA. If, as consumers, we do not become more supportive of the American economy and business, we will find ourselves with no choices but a foreign (and many times an inferior) product. Spend the little money you have at home and in this country. America merits your economic support.
Milla Koger
Ronan
