There is hope for the USA

[KTP]

Today started off with a drag. I went to flush our toilet and the cheap chrome plated plastic handle broke off in my hand. Disgusted.

I went to the local hardware store to buy a replacement and found the aisle. There were several import plastic handles much like the one that had just failed, priced $4.99 to $6.99, but then to my amazement, down near the bottom, was a genuine "made in the usa" chrome plated metal handle with a brass rod. For $3.99. Made in the USA. You don't realize the complete euphoria that overcame me as I proudly took this up to the register. The cashier, a young kid, had never even seen a "Made in USA" label in the store before and was bedazzled. Or possibly he just couldn't figure out why I gave him a quarter along with the $5 bill for the $4.25 total.

So there is hope. The USA is not in the toilet. Well, at least not figuratively.

[97guns]

but thats what it has come to, we dont make the main component but the little doo dad that hangs off it. an industry of doo dads - paper clips and rubber bands

[Frugal]

I agree with the previous poster- -it is the little things you notice any more that are made in the USA. However, last weekend we bought a basic garden hose that actually said MADE IN THE USA, and was made in good old Ohio! It was sure a shock. On average, probably only 10% of what I buy is made here. I do try to buy American, but I am on a tight budget, and it is hard to find some items not made in China.

I do throw out vegetables (frozen) and apple juice if I somehow missed they were made in China when I bought them. What freaks me out is how much food now is made over there...I don't want to test it to see how safe it is to eat it.

[wincrasher]

There is always hope for America. Unlike most countries, we have the power to change our destiny.

It starts with you though. What you put in your shopping cart and how you vote.

Don't be swayed by all the gloom and doom in the media. There is an agenda afoot to scare us into going along with destroying the middle class, and in the end our country as we know it.

[asmom]

Despite all the hysteria about socialism, the national debt, Islamic terrorists, Mexican immigrants, Casey Anthony oh yeah and international trade, America is not in the toilet. As bad as things have been for the past couple of years, we are still much, much better off and better than most countries. Made in America sticker or not. You should really open your eyes and embrace how great this country really is.

[choo choo charlie]

The American consumer has been the driving force behind global economic growth for decades. And even now so called emerging economies thrive on our spending power. A large part of the world's economic problems are a direct result of the fact that many of our credit cards are burnt out and over-heated. I have great admiration for your patriotism. But because of the world's current economic environment, governments, corporations and American consumers have to rethink their money policies and spending habits. Remember George Baily, the leading character in "It's a Wonderful Life"? This is how he and the people who trusted him suvived the Great Depression. Also, it might be a good idea to consider the possibility the the American companies you would like to support may not be as patriotic as you are. I also recommend that Americans throw away their credit cards and use their debit cards.

[krantcents]

It sure is nice to see products made here. We used to stand for quality and hopefully we can return to that reputation. Hooray for made in the USA.