"Our problem won't go away until we sober up and start solving it RIGHT HERE AT HOME."

+1

Sort of like the drug problem? ;-]

"Isn't oil like half our trade deficit?"

I'm not sure about the percentage, but a huge amount of our energy goes to support our overconsumption of other goods and services.

When you buy locally, you have better knowledge and more control over how your stuff
is made.

Very nearby you could see the chickens your eggs come from, or the ovens that bake your
bread.

Farther afield you know a domestic manufacturer has to meet some national standards for worker safety and pay, as well as some environmental standards, tho you may not be
able to personally inspect their operations.

If you don't know where your stuff comes from, you really can't make a good decision on
whether people and environment are benefiting from making the item you purchase.

We people who buy stuff are really the ones who make the decisions. That is what
the thread is about, (not what the government responsiblities are).

---

By the way, can post'rs keep the responses a bit more concise? Some of these longer
threads sound a bit like the uni-bomber's manifesto and make my brain hurt.

"By the way, can post'rs keep the responses a bit more concise? Some of these longer
threads sound a bit like the uni-bomber's manifesto and make my brain hurt."

tldnr

I can see better control (or at least better awareness) when dealing with local and/or boutique type establishments.

But let's not fool ourselves thinking Buying USA (or Canada for Canadians) provides that much more control or knowledge. Yes, there are better laws but seriously. anyone been to a industrial chicken farm or feed lot lately? Or know where GM, Ford or even Boeing source their parts?

it is becoming apparent how many parts come from japan. lots of bits and pieces. made in the usa or should we say, assembled in the usa.

In modern times, it is nearly impossible to have a feasible manufacturing plant with only one's own country's material.

it's difficult to cram the genie back into her bottle. We rubbed. We wished. We got. Now the world needs to move on together.