Had a co-worker send me this, food for thought

[hpvizslas]

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into
high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced
goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American
labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the
gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an
excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced
by American hands. Oh.... Yes there is!

It is time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to
fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift
certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about
some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American
owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift
certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking
down the Benjamins on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that
grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for
the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf
course.

There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what
about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember,
folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting
your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep
their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of
a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy
who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people
spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and
pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or
ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring
about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep
plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other
Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to
us in ways we could not imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition!!

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion
groups.

This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what
Christmas is about?

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

+++++++1,000,000 USA is where it's at.

[pinebrookkennel]

AMEN !!!!!!!!!
Every time you drive to the big mart store in your town think about the local harware or grocery store that was
killed because we all want our paint brush or canned green beans 20 cents cheaper!

[Birddogz]

Right on! Great post.

[bigdaddy]

Christmas is now about caring
about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep
plugging away to follow their dreams

Sorry, but this is not even close to what Christmas is about. Christmas is about one specific event in history. That's why it's called Christ-mas and not gift-mas.

[Cajun Casey]

Christmas is now about caring
about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep
plugging away to follow their dreams

Sorry, but this is not even close to what Christmas is about. Christmas is about one specific event in history. That's why it's called Christ-mas and not gift-mas.

Thank you for pointing that out.

[gotpointers]

I agree with you 100% Big daddy! I also think we should avoid the cheap china c%@p all year around. It may put me out of a job being a railroader but there's more jobs out there.PS good looking pointer you've got there.

[markj]

I gotta go watch the peanuts Christmas special, Linus has it down.

I really try to buy American, it is hard at times. Some stuff just isnt made here anymore like a good pair of jeans. or boots. I used to wear black engineer boots made in the USA but now show me one boot that is still made here and Iwill go try one on.

I say we go and take over China, then make it a state of ours like we did to Hawaii, then everything sold at wally world will be really made in the state of china 51st state then they will want new tvs and two cars.....

[pinebrookkennel]

I think red wings and danner are still made in america, a couple styles of carhart jeans also.

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

Chippewa & Russell,boots American made.

[displaced_texan]

I sometimes try to buy American, and like being able to.

I prefer to buy quality. Part of the problem is America seems unable to reliably produce reasonably priced quality... I shop quality first. My leashes are made here, doubt my collars are, but can't find what I want made here...

[Dirtysailor]

Redwings, and Irish Setters through them, can be found made in the US, but you have to check them out. They have both, but the US made one get on my feet.

[Meller]

Wrangler jeans are made in America and so are Orvis boots; don't know if they still make them but Orvis used to sell a life time guarantee on one of thier boots. Made in Tipton MO.