[lucysmom]

People living in this country purchase far more refrigerators, televisions, etc. today than they ever would have been able to buy if these things were all made in the U.S.

We need to purchase more refrigerators and televisions today because the new ones don't last as long as those built in the past.

[1rudeboy]

That's not the only reason, and I suspect you know that.

[Alberta's Child]

That works both ways, though -- and your underlying assumption may not even be true.

1. If every refrigerator purchased in the U.S. were made in the U.S., what would the guy who makes refrigerators for a living do once every household and office building in the country had a refrigerator?

2. The assumption that durable goods don't last as long as they used to may be correct, but you've overlooked the fact that we now replace things we used to repair. New appliances are so cheap these days that I don't even think a business that repairs household appliances is a viable commercial venture anymore.

[nopardons]

I'll give you the T.V.s, but NOT the iceboxes.