Celebrating July 4 Independence Day

I find it ironic that a lot of people will spend July 4 wearing patriotic t-shirts and waving patriotic flags that are made overseas.

I designed the above logo that has Chinese characters that translate to "Made in the USA". If you don't understand the sarcasm, move along. The next blog over has some cute pictures of puppies (though here in Municipal Geographic we have incomparable shots of nature within a one block radius of my house plus cute photos of kittens, in my cargo shorts pocket. Up to you.)

This logo is available on various Made In USA clothing. And a vinyl sticker as well. Thanks and your feedback is always welcome.

Thong Made in USA. My new design.

Now that I have your attention, yes that is my new design on a thong made in the USA. I bet my mom is really proud (please don't buy one Mom!). The Chinese characters are in a patriotic red, white, and blue and translate to: "Made in the USA" in simplified Chinese characters. If anyone has a problem with the translation, go talk to my parents.

This logo is only available on products only Made in the USA. Hence one t-shirt, one jr jersey, one jr hoody, a dog shirt, and the aforementioned thong. It is also available on decals, hopefully also made in the USA, but if it isn't, make up for it by sticking it to something Made in the USA, like the current Ford Focus.

There is a lot of patriotic "made in the USA" products out there, ironically not made in the USA. SO here is mine, designed and Made in the USA. Please buy some and send to your friends in China. But not the dog shirt. The Chinese don't use food wrappers. I kid.

Reusable Shopping Bags May Contain Lead

So, have you heard the news? Those non-woven polyester reusable shopping bags (Made in China...surprised?) that you use to be all environmental by saving paper and plastic bags may contain unacceptable levels of LEAD! Go do a search on the internet for more information, I'm not going to link it here, do it yourself.

So how do you know if your reusable shopping bag contains lead? Well I'm really not sure. I use the Harris Teeter shopping bags ($.99 ea) and some articles do mention Harris Teeter's bags among those in the study containing lead. Just the idea of this possibility makes me really mad. I contacted Harris Teeter about this issue but did not receive a reply before the deadline of this post.

So what is one to do? Well I don't really feel like continuing to use these bags. Maybe I'll store them somewhere and wait until I hear more. What are my options? I can go back to paper or plastic, I can utilize my cargo shorts which can carry one package of chicken breasts and one bunch of bananas (or a growing kitten). BUT, if you have $50+ to spend on grocery bags, I have a suggestion for you. Go to L.L. Bean's website and design and purchase their Boat and Tote canvas bags. These are actually still made in Maine of 24 oz canvas (from American-made cotton!) and one of VERY FEW things in the L.L. Bean catalog still made in the US. You can pick the bag size, main body color, handle length and color, bottom color, optional top zipper, optional side pocket, and monogram.

For example, order up a small tote with red handles and monogram "grass-fed beef" on the outside. Get a large tote with green handles and monogram "local organic veggies" on the outside. Get an extra large tote with a russet handle and monogram "non-gluten grains". Now quickly hop in your Subaru Forester with your totes. You will be the envy of all at Whole Foods. You're welcome...

Made In USA, Work for USA

I'm renewing my vow to seek out quality Made in USA products when I need to buy something. It's easier than you think, especially with the internet, but it also requires some thoughtfulness and energy and sometimes spending a little more money, which is why I think many people do not do this. It is much easier to go to Wal-Mart or wherever and grab something cheap and move on.

For example, it is easy to go to Target and buy $4 t-shirts made overseas. However, if you look for occasional sales, Patagonia will sometimes put their Made in USA organic t-shirts on sale for $12-15. Yes it's triple the price, but it's cheaper than buying most t-shirts full price. Note you may have to put up with a sometimes cheesy graphic on the Patagonia t's.

I guess things get more committed when we start talking about big ticket items like my favorite product, cars. Here is a link to a NY Times article with info about vehicles Made in USA and what major parts are also Made in USA. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/19/automobiles/20090619-auto-plants-4.html (hmm...Mustang manual transmission made in China?). If you are buying used, you can still research where your car was made. Worst case, look inside the door before you buy and there should be a plate riveted on. I hope when I need a new car I have the balls to buy something Made in USA. I want a 4runner (Japan) but maybe I can compromise to an Xterra (Tennessee, USA).

I am starting a list on the side of my blog of Made in USA items that I am familiar with. If you know of more products to add, please let me know. If you need help finding something Made in USA, please contact me through the comments and I would be glad to make a suggestion.

Even more of a commitment is Working for USA. How many of you work for an American (note I mean USA however I'd be glad to include our Canadian brothers here) company offering Made in USA products or services? I've worked for Chinese-owned companies and it is really a soul killing exercise. You know you are earning money while you help move the money overseas. I extend my vow to try to also work for and with American companies.

I don't know how much of a difference my efforts are really going to make, or if I'm going to succeed, but at least I will know I tried to do a little something for the country I live in.