People want to get the most bang for their buck. Who wants to spend $5 when they could find it for $4? This may seem most beneficial to the average consumer, but there are hidden costs to the buyer as well as the environment. It is undeniable that transportation is a considerable cause of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide, along with other gases that contribute to air pollution, is released through vehicle emissions. Furthermore, other countries have loose standards on what chemicals can be used in food production.
If the health of the environment is not a deciding factor when selecting a product, how about your health or the health of your family? In 2007, two out of three recalls were for products from China. Out of 447 products recalled for safety reasons, 298 were produced in China. 62 were US made and the remaining came from other countries. Trying to play it safe by buying domestically in only specific categories is difficult as the recalled products have quite a range. The pet food recall was just one example where an imported product, vegetable protein, created a massive recall. The Mattel toy recall was another widespread problem of Chinese imports due to lead paint and small ingestible magnets. There have also been recalls on baby carriers, oscillating fans, air pumps, children’s toys and even circular saws in just 2007 alone. The list goes on and on.
Buying Imported Goods
To understand the scope of the problem, consider that imports from China have reached about $120 billion annually and that number keeps growing. In 2002, Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, bought $12 billion of products from China, doubling its support of Chinese merchandise.
Every time you buy imported goods, you are also indirectly supporting the process by which those products were brought to the store. Buying goods made in foreign countries hurts our local industries and contributes to a higher unemployment rate. It contributes to increased greenhouse gases leading to greater environmental degradation. And it puts in jeopardy the health and safety of you and your family. Promoting US made goods not only supports the US economy, it also supports the health and well-being of the US population.
