My China Pattern

Previous article written originally for Viewshound, and also published on AzICeeit.blogspot.com. 

Changes in shopping practices require discipline, determination, and patriotism! Patriotism? Take back our country by shopping "Made in the USA!"

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By Carolyn Roberson - Thursday 03 Nov 2011

The word shopping tends to evoke a host of varied emotions within people in the USA. Some use shopping as a form of therapy; thus, the slang “retail therapy” is commonly used in our society. There are a few who detest shopping, and only run into a store to pick up those items that are absolutely needed. Window shoppers go just to have something to do. And, some wives socially shop while hubbies watch football. While my interest in shopping has evolved over the years, the need to shop remains.

Over the past few months, given the recent debt increase the USA incurred from a loan from China coupled with the near government shutdown and credit downgrade, my shopping habits have drastically changed. Purchases are limited to food, medicine, household expenses, and gasoline. Wants are limited to last moment purchases when they become essentials, like new tennis shoes. These changes are even more drastic than those I made a few years ago when the housing market collapsed and the unemployment rate increased.

Earlier this summer, I purchased a nice, inexpensive chair with a footstool to put in the sun room so I could sit comfortably with my niece as she played. While removing the chair from the box, I happened to notice the words, “Made in China.” I really didn’t think anything about it.

A few weeks ago, my sister brought home a snow globe of Aurora, the Disney Sleeping Beauty Princess, and to my surprise, it said, “Made in China.” This kind of sparked a teeny awareness of things in our home made in China.

Unfortunately, I have to admit, that I’ve been like an ostrich with my head in the sand most of my life. I trusted government to run itself. After all, our government was designed to have a system of checks and balances to keep itself in check. Local, national, and world news is boring, negative, nerve-racking, and depressing most of the time, so watching Wheel of Fortune, Frasier, or Ghost Whisperer was an entertaining alternative.

Maybe watching the news is a right of passage into adulthood, and at age 50, I guess I am an adult. I do watch the news and it is quite enlightening. And, I’ve developed a few areas of concern: the trade imbalance between the USA and China, the worldwide debt crisis, jobs being lost to other countries because of unions and/or cheap labor, and immigration.

For the sake of this article, I’m not going to expound on my ideology or philosophy for each of these issues.

Rainy Days and Mondays NEVER get me down. I went window-shopping today. It was cold and raining, so after lunch, the hubs and I went into a store. We were browsing around, and I turned a Christmas ornament over, and noticed, “Made in China.” “Hump,” I thought. The next item was a goblet, “Made in China.” Then, a cookie sheet was labeled, “Made in China.” The list went on and on of things I picked up that said, “Made in China.” 10 out of the 12 things I picked up was—you got it—"Made in China.“ The other two were made in Turkey, and Mexico. I ended up purchasing numbers 13 and 14, two Christmas themed color books at $0.89 each that proudly proclaimed, "Made in the USA!”

I’m breaking my China pattern; I will do my best to only purchase “Made in the USA!”

Made in the USA or not

Deliberate purchases of items "Made in the USA" is my goal. Shopping is time consuming these days.

Last year, I wrote an article entitled, "My China Pattern." This was an attempt to resolve myself to purchase local, American made, or as close to home (USA) as possible. With the economy in the USA having an extremely high unemployment rate, citizens loosing their jobs and homes, and social services stressed to bankruptcy, I was appalled at just how many items are "Made in China."

Feeling really angry about previous purchases in my home that were "Made in China," I vowed to break "My China Pattern." I have done this. A couple of things have slipped by me when I wasn't paying attention, but has been minor things like a coat hook for $2.50. But, all in all, I have done a wonderful job of being loud and obnoxious in public about my opinion.

My anger isn't directed at the Chinese people and lately, I have been feeling very guilty. I have nothing against the Chinese people. They are just like you and I. They have families who need food, medical care, housing, education, and clothing, etc. They go to work, and return home tired, just as we do here in the Good Ole' USA.

My anger is directed at the amount of debt the USA owes China. This is a political mess that has been made. Why has industry been sent out of the country?

This is a mess born of greed. Cheaper labor means cheaper prices. Everyone wants more, more, more for less, less, less.

Most recently, I have needed some new cookware for my new glass stove top. I wanted some yellow Paula Deen, but guess what? I passed. Yep, "Made In China." Good old Southern Belle, Paula, uses foreign workers and manufacturers. Okay, skip Paula. On to Wolfgang Puck. Uh, Oh, Yep, you got it - "Made in China."

I have spent several days looking for cookware in Sears, and Wal-Mart, and they ALL were "Made in China" except Better Homes and Gardens which was "Made in Brazil." So, I bought two sets of BH&G stainless steel cookware with glass lids! I love them.

Up next, I'm looking for a lighted makeup mirror. I used to have one years ago, and loved it. I don't remember the brand, but it had a dial so you could choose indoor, outdoor, or work lighting. I saw a few at Wal-Mart, but the Conair, and Revlon were, "Made in China." Guess I need to check out Sally's Beauty Supply. Any other suggestions? Wish me luck!

Disclaimer. (A few of you may jump in and start on me shopping at Wal-Mart. It is a rarity for me to do so. I don't like Wal-Mart, and am a very infrequent shopper. It's my last alternative.)