Posted on 12/31/2001 12:11:34 PM PST by Fester Chugabrew
As a discussion recently transpired here on Free Republic, it occurred to me how many cheap goods have infiltrated the marketplaces of the USA. It also occurred to me that Free Republic would be the best place to begin a list of those products, made in the United States of America, that today have a long lasting quality about them.
I mean tangible goods. For example, when I was younger I had a few Tonka® trucks. Look at a Tonka® truck today, you you will certainly see how they don't make them like they used to. Too much plastic, and a "Made in Hong Kong" label. The same seems to have happened, by and large, with Lionel® Trains. While this is the perfect forum to debate the reasons for such cheapening of durigible goods, we should do something practical here on the side.
So let us build a list of the best stuff made in the United States of America, and let that list be shared. Then, perhaps, when the next holiday season arrives we will know what things to purchase as gifts. We will also know throughout the year what tangible goods may be of most benefit to our homes and families. We can do this "on the side" as it were, while we debate the more serious issues facing our land and people.
Please make sure the items are made in the USA. Think of those tangibles that have enduring qualities about them. Attributes would include: Heavy duty, solid design, long lasting reputation, high standards, etc. If, along the way, we discover there is little or nothing of true value made in the USA, then maybe some of us will be inspired to start something, or build something, of long lasting quality.
Some may come along to plug their own goods. That's okay, as long as it's quality stuff. In view of the fact, however, that this forum is not to be a platform for personal business advertising it may not be a good idea. Others have already begun a recent thread on FR to put forth the idea of a "Made in the USA" store. Please peruse this thread as well, but then come back here to help us list specific products that might be included in such a store.
As the list becomes tried and true we might refine it and release it as perhaps, for lack of a better title: The Made in USA List of Goods Made in the USA.
Interesting question, and basic to this whole thread. I saw a poster in a Mazda dealership one day that showed that, on a component basis, more of a Mazda was made in the US than in Japan.
In that regard, what about Fender guitars? Some in US, some in Japan, some in Mexico.
A guy at work bought a new honda accord a couple of weeks ago... it's already been in the shop for engine repairs... one of the secretarys bought an accord about six months ago... they (maybe) have finally fixed the defective transmission.
My '96 Ford has NEVER been in the shop (115,000 miles). In that time it's been underwater once (parking lot at work flooded) and worked like a dog on a daily basis (70 mile, 90-95 MPH commute). For the difference in price between it and it's jap equivalent, I'll pay for the gas it uses over its lifetime. It gets better gas mileage than its jap equivalent, it costs a third as much to maintain, repair and insure. It may have been made by a union worker, but at least he was an American one.
Foreign cars are overrated, hondas are WAY overrated. You want to pay more for your jap honda, thats fine. Just don't try to tell us that don't that you're getting the better deal, because you ain't.
AB
No wonder you're the way you are. That explains a lot about you.
Was about to post that one myself. Here's a link in case one wishes to check out some of the best mowers, tillers, and trimmers around.
A suggestion that truly hits the nail on the head, in more ways than one. Excellent, and probably not too expensive to offer as a gift.
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