Buy American - Little or Big step to being a Locavore?

Initially this seems like a Green movement. And yes, it started there. Seeking to reduce the impact on the environment was a major impetus for the Locavore movement. But it is more than that. Being a Locavore can mean more than just food - it can mean any product. Just by food, and especially if we expand to other product, it also means supporting your local economy. Your local economy. Hmm. Isn't all of America a local economy? Compared to say China? Indeed.
I have been watching the ongoing report by World News on ABC called Made In America and it did make me think. In addition to making sure I buy locally as in Milwaukee and Wisconsin, I should do the same for other products to make sure at least from America. The website and the reporting has much more info and I recommend you check it out, but it is pretty simple - the benefits are many to all of us. I see three main benefits:
- You are reducing the distance the product travels and thus reducing costs, emissions,and the need for fuel. To fly or ship products across the seas has immense impacts.
- You are giving an American business, and thus (hopefully) American workers. This alone has huge effect on the economy - you give someone a job. They make money. That money is taxed adding to available money for services and hopefully reducing your taxes. That money is spent, and if those people follow this rule and spend on American products increases this cycle, creating jobs.
- It means better confidence in your product. American manufacturers and food suppliers have stronger regulations than yes - of course going there again -China. It seems every week at least I see a new report on issues with a product coming from there. So we send our money to China to get products which then harm us? How is that smart, or even frugal?
We have control over this. We can decide what products we buy. If we refuse to buy, or at least look to but, products wholly made here, we force the businesses to provide those products.

Please, try to support businesses as close to you as possible, both municipal and national. You will reap the benefits it provides to everyone.
Update: Just noticed that one of my favorite companies - Planet Dog - has an entire section of their store dedicated to Made in America products.
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