10 September 2016: Buy products made in the US, avoid products made in China

The world is a complicated place.  It is hard to know how best to negotiate with foreign powers, many of whom act somewhat irrational.  The most important example may be with China.  In some efforts, it is ostensibly our partner, such as pressuring North Korea to be stop being a world threat (see Editorial, North Korea’s Nuclear Enabler, The New York Times, 9 September 2016).  However, increasing, it acts in a provocative manner, and itself is a threat to world peace (see T. Daiss, Will U.S. Restrain 'Provocative' South China Sea Actions? Beijing Wants To Know, Forbes, June 11, 2016).

One simple way we can act is to buy American, whenever possible, and avoid buying products made in China.  With the rise of the web based economy, this has become much easier.  I routinely buy online, and often (but not always), buy clothing, towels and other household products which are labelled as "Made in the USA".   I sometimes buy from American Apparel.  Brooks Brothers makes some shirts in the USA, which are occasionally on sale.  Sometimes I don't buy American - I cannot find the product, or the cost is much more than I am prepared to pay.  But at least for me, I am prepared to pay a premium for a product that helps our country, and does not help our enemies.  What are you willing to do to help strengthen the US, and weaken those who endanger our lives?