carygold
enthusiast
Posts: 4972
Reg: 05-30-08
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03-03-11 12:31 PM - Post#127153
This week ABC News has been running series called "Made in America." 50% of products we buy are made outside the US.
According to their research If we increase our purchases of American goods by 1%, $64 per person, we can create 200,000 new jobs.
In the series they go to a home in Dallas, where a family of four live and remove everything from the home that is made outside the US. The result was that little more than a fish bowl was left.
No furniture, no appliances, no clothes.
Now they are setting out to replace all the items they removed from the home with products made in America. It took most of the day just to find a coffee maker made in the USA.
Things we can do locally
-- Eat at local restaurants, stay away from Chains
-- Buy local produce or from stores that buy locally.
-- Patronize local retailers or Mom and Pop shops again avoid chain retail shopping when you can.
-- Do some research on American Made before you buy this ABC WEBSITE can help.
The report from ABC NEWS.
There is another live report on tonight on ABC.
If CEO's increased their pay at the same rate as Average Americans
their pay would average $1,384,890 not $10,621,000 |
Edited by carygold on 03-03-11 12:32 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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03-03-11 01:33 PM - Post#127159
In response to carygold
Good ideas, but "Made in America" is getting tough to find.
Too bad there's no good solution for "Made in Amercia" gasoline. Sunoco is, I think, the only brand that can claim that, but they're not around these parts.
Interesting links. Thanks for posting.
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carygold
enthusiast
Posts: 4972
Reg: 05-30-08
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03-04-11 09:38 AM - Post#127189
In response to Al C
There is good news and bad news in the increase in gasoline prices, bad news of course is that we pay more at the pump...
The good news is that American made products will cost less in comparison to imports. In the ABC news report American Made products were sometimes cheaper than Chinese Imports.
There was a CNBC report that everything we buy will cost 3% more this year in part to oil prices, Appliances will go up as much as 10%.
If CEO's increased their pay at the same rate as Average Americans
their pay would average $1,384,890 not $10,621,000 |
Edited by carygold on 03-04-11 09:39 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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03-04-11 09:58 AM - Post#127193
In response to carygold
There is good news and bad news in the increase in gasoline prices, bad news of course is that we pay more at the pump...
The good news is that American made products will cost less in comparison to imports. In the ABC news report American Made products were sometimes cheaper than Chinese Imports.
There was a CNBC report that everything we buy will cost 3% more this year in part to oil prices, Appliances will go up as much as 10%.
And yet, there are no government inquiries and finger-pointing like there was when Bush was at the helm. But that's another topic ... conveniently on this forum.
I read an article recently about Maglite and how the owner likes to keep everything American in his products. Unfortunately, he can not say "Made in America" on his packaging due to the fact that Maglite uses an o-ring and a lightbulb that are not produced by anyone in the US.
Here's the link. Interesting story.
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carygold
enthusiast
Posts: 4972
Reg: 05-30-08
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03-04-11 10:36 AM - Post#127204
In response to Al C
Good story AL, but from what was said on ABC, federal guidelines for Made in America are less restrictive, although I don't know exactly what they are, The Maglite company may be able to put Made in America on products he sells outside of California... I'm not sure.
Maybe we need to have different tags to reflect percentages...
Made In America 100
Made In America 90
Made In America 80
Made In America 70
I don't want the US to make protectionist laws or import taxes, but we can sure influence the market with our dollars.
Look at the organic movement, even Wal-Mart has organic foods and hormone free milk now.
I call that voting with your dollars.
If CEO's increased their pay at the same rate as Average Americans
their pay would average $1,384,890 not $10,621,000 |
Edited by carygold on 03-04-11 10:37 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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03-04-11 11:18 AM - Post#127211
In response to carygold
Yeah, California seems to think they need stricter guidelines than the rest of us I guess. Go figure.
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Jimi Ray Clapton
enthusiast
Posts: 1977
Reg: 09-03-07
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03-08-11 12:09 PM - Post#127382
In response to Al C
Well, they are *California*, after all. 
| I reserve the right to change who I am, my opinions, my views and my actions based on new and more accurate information that I receive. |
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MissingChico
enthusiast
Posts: 2228
Reg: 02-13-06
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03-18-11 01:36 PM - Post#127864
In response to Al C
Al, I agree it is too bad we cannot have better options for Made in USA fuel, however every issue like this is so politicized here, we can't get anything that makes sense to anyone but a mega-corp accountant. The idea we chose corn as a bio-fuel is simply laughable around the world, but the lobby efforts prevailed for the corn industry. When you consider hemp produces three fold the energy of corn per acre, it requires little to zero petrochemical fertilizers, less water and can be harvested multiple times a season, it's insane that we use corn. Until we're all fed up with our needs being pushed aside by lobbyists and special interests, we're going to continue falling behind the rest of the world.
| I get my news from the Comedy Central and my comedy from Fox News. |
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3165
Reg: 09-25-09
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03-18-11 02:49 PM - Post#127867
In response to MissingChico
There is not a perfect Biofuel available. Hemp has its positives, and negatives. The fact is, there is not enough land to grow enough Biofuel sources (while maintaining adequate food production) to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels.
But I do wish that whatever our energy source, we tapped our potential first before making other countries rich and armed!
Hemp Downside
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
Edited by mgrayar on 03-18-11 02:50 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Jimi Ray Clapton
enthusiast
Posts: 1977
Reg: 09-03-07
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03-18-11 05:37 PM - Post#127872
In response to mgrayar
There is not a perfect Biofuel available. Hemp has its positives, and negatives. The fact is, there is not enough land to grow enough Biofuel sources (while maintaining adequate food production) to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels.
But I do wish that whatever our energy source, we tapped our potential first before making other countries rich and armed!
Hemp Downside
I haven't heard anyone that is serious about this subject/debate as it specifically pertains to altrenatives, fossil fuel dependence, etc. suggest that there is *one* way to go. So the idea that we don't have enough real estate is a non issue. No one is talking about fueling a nation with hemp alone. The question, then, would be... given the area that we do have - is it a smart alternative when combined with other methods of fueling engines, equipment, etc. In addition, does hemp not only represent a viable alternative as a fuel - but does it also have other economically sound uses - the overwhelming, resounding answer is a big fat loud YES!
The other issues that article listed as obstacles seem to me to be the types of issues that can more-than-easily be overcome given the technological advancements that humans produce with regularity. The "illegality" issue made me laugh... that's not a logistical obstacle - that's a decision.
I have been reading for years about hemp and it's unbelievable wide range of uses and how totally ignorant and illogical it is for us to not only ignore - but to demonize and illegalize it. Talking about shooting yourself in the foot... holy smokes are we dumb as a people.
At the end of the day - the case for the many uses of hemp is overwhelming - while the case against is laughably flimsy and weak - shrouded in ignorance.
| I reserve the right to change who I am, my opinions, my views and my actions based on new and more accurate information that I receive. |
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3165
Reg: 09-25-09
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03-18-11 08:57 PM - Post#127874
In response to Jimi Ray Clapton
Jimi,
While your post could have easily been cut down to a simple "I disagree with the author", I don't think you would find too many that disagree with exploring every option.
The point of my post was to say...let's stop debating peripheral energy sources that stand no chance of making any significant difference before we've actually maximized our own resources domestically. Hemp is not the answer to energy independence, neither is corn, but the answer is available if we are willing to accept it!
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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MissingChico
enthusiast
Posts: 2228
Reg: 02-13-06
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03-19-11 11:09 AM - Post#127884
In response to mgrayar
Hemp WAS our answer before the synthetics industry destroyed it. Hemp literally got us through WW2 with it's numerous byproducts such as super strong fibers used for clothing, duffle bags, aircraft, tank, jeep parts and more. There are amazing oil byproducts, diesel, grease products. The after products can be turned into feed and other agriculture products. Hemp isn't a wonder plant, but it's many times smarter than the idea of using a difficult to grow, low yield, fertilizer dependent plant such as corn. And I'm assuming you missed my point as well. Neither hemp or corn will solve all our issues, however wouldn't you prefer investing in the plant that has many times more advantages for all Americans, or do you prefer a lobby group being able to manipulate our government to benefit a few?
| I get my news from the Comedy Central and my comedy from Fox News. |
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carygold
enthusiast
Posts: 4972
Reg: 05-30-08
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03-19-11 05:50 PM - Post#127904
In response to MissingChico
I think hemp has got a lot of people through tough times.
If CEO's increased their pay at the same rate as Average Americans
their pay would average $1,384,890 not $10,621,000 |
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3165
Reg: 09-25-09
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03-20-11 01:12 AM - Post#127914
In response to MissingChico
Hemp WAS our answer before the synthetics industry destroyed it. Hemp literally got us through WW2 with it's numerous byproducts such as super strong fibers used for clothing, duffle bags, aircraft, tank, jeep parts and more. There are amazing oil byproducts, diesel, grease products. The after products can be turned into feed and other agriculture products. Hemp isn't a wonder plant, but it's many times smarter than the idea of using a difficult to grow, low yield, fertilizer dependent plant such as corn. And I'm assuming you missed my point as well. Neither hemp or corn will solve all our issues, however wouldn't you prefer investing in the plant that has many times more advantages for all Americans, or do you prefer a lobby group being able to manipulate our government to benefit a few?
I'd prefer not to invest in any losing propositions. Hemp, corn, lima beans, ding dongs... All have about the same chance of helping us cut ties with the middle east.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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MissingChico
enthusiast
Posts: 2228
Reg: 02-13-06
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03-20-11 09:07 AM - Post#127919
In response to mgrayar
I don't see a down side to using domestic diesel or alcohol based fuels. Hemp grows where corn cannot, opening vast amounts of unused land for farmers to grow. There are many industries that hemp could support. Canada's midwest has hemp farms for miles and they seem to be making a success of it. They managed to not politicize it the way we do.
| I get my news from the Comedy Central and my comedy from Fox News. |
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gringogigante
enthusiast
Posts: 106
Loc: Allen
Reg: 02-06-11
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05-11-11 01:51 PM - Post#131162
In response to MissingChico
I totally agree. Buy local....hell grow your own, I say. Veggies aren't that hard to grow, but if you're gonna buy get from a local and not some monster chain.
There are many co-ops and CSA's that do just that.
Find many near us at http://www.localharvest.org/
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5538
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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05-12-11 12:45 PM - Post#131277
In response to carygold
Made in America: The Comeback
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