We’ve lost our way.
If you got a chance to see the Mike Rowe video, you’ll see where he, too, feels we’ve lost our way. We don’t know how to make things anymore. And “blue collar” is becoming a lost part of our society or one where respect is, for some reason, lacking as a professional path in the US.
But it’s much worse than that.
I’m working on a handful of woodworking projects and went to price higher-grade wood and materials. My goal here is to produce these handmade wood crafts from 100% North American-Made products.
After last night, I realize it’s a lot harder than I imagined.
95% of the wood I looked at was from China. Maybe I’m naive, but I was surprised. I just don’t know how it makes sense. And let me clarify, I’m all for saving our forests and realize why we need to protect our trees.
But you and I both know that’s not why we’re buying from China. I just don’t understand, at the end of the day, how this is good for America.
A global economy? Sure…but it’s putting us under. In case you haven’t noticed.
The problem here is we don’t produce ANYTHING here anymore.
Because after looking for wood…I went to the hardware aisle. Not a single screw or nail is “Made in USA.” That scares me. Putting together a small wood project is one thing. But we’re building our homes, building decks, putting together large structures (playgrounds, swingsets) with hardware and materials coming from the same folks who gave us Lead-Based Thomas Trains?
Although it wasn’t all from China…plenty from Taiwan too. But nothing Made in USA. Not the screws. Not the nails. Not the stains. Not the paint.
To be honest I gave up in frustration knowing I had to wait until morning to try the local guys (yes, this was one of the National Chains…so I guess this is what we’ve come to expect from them anyway.)
So what do we do?
Is it economically feasible?
Are we willing to work harder to bring work back to the US?
Is a business owner willing to pay a better wage — possibly with lower profits — so he can put “Made in the USA” on her products?
Any thoughts? How can local, small businesses turn around America?
