“Made in America” Challenge

ABC news with Diane Sawyer has a special this week on “Made in America.” A family who thought much of their household belongings were made in America was left with a shell of a house, a flower vase and a kitchen sink after the ABC team came in and discovered that almost all of their belongings and furnishings, including appliances were made outside the United States. After spending the night in sleeping bags, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner and doing homework on the floor, the family and news team began the search for “made in America” items to replenish what was taken out of the house. We left off last night with the trucks containing their new items rolling down their street, so tune in tonight to see what they bought and what it cost!

After doing this segment, the ABC team discovered that if every person in the U.S. spent just (an additional?) $64 a year on a “made in America” purchase, we can create 200,000 jobs here. I don’t know if it’s true, but it’s worth a try! So, ask before you buy! Is it made in America? They are also challenging people to look around their own homes to see where things are made. Unfortunately, I think we’d all have a very short list of items made in America. The important thing is to be aware – to live consciously, as Oprah loves to say. Along that same line is to shop locally (see my Feb. 27 post, Shop Locally and Support Your City’s Economy, for more) and support your local business person. Readers, please, before you make that next purchase, consider whether you are buying “made in America” or buying from a locally owned business. Watch ABC news tonight and the rest of the week and take their challenge to spend $64 on “made in America.” Let’s pull together and create some jobs in this country! Want to do more?? Pass this challenge on to your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Let's start a movement!