Can the Average American actually help turn this ecomony around?

The problem with this scenario is that generally, American-made products are more expensive than foreign-made. There are also a lot of products that there just aren't American-made "varieties" available to purchase. If people could afford to buy products (regardless of where they are made) part of the problem would be solved - but because of the economy, people just don't have the money to buy ANYTHING - most are having a hard time keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table.

Sometimes it's not easy to know whether you're buying American products or not. I do know that our trucks are American products...a Dodge and a Ford...but is our Sony television one? I'm pretty sure the RCA is but what about the Prima? My laptop is a Dell and the other PCs are Compaqs, so are they American made? I don't know where some of the stuff I buy at Wal-Mart come from and many times there are not American made alternatives. I've always tried to support American made products but I also have to watch my personal bottom line and won't spend twice as much to be patriotic.

The main problem, is, that there are a huge amount of obstacles in the way for American products to be made here. Caused by alot of things. Lobbyists, stupid politicians, state laws, stupid people...time, surrounding circumstances like people, weather... That's no excuse, of course. Why can't we just have a ton of small businesses per area? The smaller the operation, the more likely it can stick around (the obstacles tend to grow if your dream is to be a big American company). The other thing is, people need to start making their own jobs. Most of the ones around today aren't American companies and alot of them have proven they don't give a dang, so...we need to start getting creative. There's stuff about that'll help us adjust and try to do this. Flea markets, farmer's markets, church sales, yard sales, growing our own food when applicable... Some cities have also started CSA's and new science-based agriculture products (which employ citizens of the city, particularly those who aren't well off). It could definitely work. Transition period is usually not very fun. But localized economies are what we had before. It worked usually pretty lovely, in fact. I'm doing my part, I'm trying to start a farm on a little over an acre of land and I'm going to go about selling fresh and preserved produce to flea markets and farmer's markets around my immediate area. If I'm really successful, I'll have to file the appropriate papers as a "self-employer & small business"...and that's something I'm dreading, but I think it'll help me and my family become more independant from an ailing economy. Before we moved out here this autumn, we had a victory garden in the city which helped us survive the price spikes (friends also had victory gardens and we traded and bartered amongst ourselves). In a few areas of my state, it's still pretty rural and the economy is still "back-to-the-basics" based...and they're the BEST off, so I'm pretty sure if we did similiar things, we could move forward into the future, instead of floundering in what recent past events have wrought us. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a ton of love for globalization but I think I might feel different if we actually have a solid foundation (a localized economy) first and foremostly. Then, globalization in some areas wouldn't hurt nearly as much. It's a more tried and proven model which I've only seen a few examples of failure (usually related to disease, natural disasters, and war on the native country's soil instead of abroad). It's more weatherable.

I think it is a great idea but at this point with the economy as it is, I think it would be quite difficult. As you pointed out, American products are difficult to find and also out of many people's price range. To be honest, I don't see it happening as things have gone too far. It seems there are very few american products left to be found here in america.

First off, it is not really the average americans job to save the economy. If each average american watches out for his/her own economics, the national econimics follows as well. I do try to by stuff from american companies, but remember that there really are very few products that you can buy where all of your money stays in the us, and there are very few products that you can buy that an american doesn't make money on. Rememner that more goes into a product than where it is made. The materials were purchased from somewhere and the packaging was purchased from somewhere. So although your product was made in the us it may have been made of foreign parts and shipped to you with foreign oil by a foreign (read DHL) complany. On the other had, you may buy a Toyota that was made in Kentucky, and there are a lot of american jobs that depend on you buying that car. Either way you slice it "buying american" is a lot trickier than one would think. So it is best to just look out for yourself. If you do well, and your neighbors do the same thing, we end up better off as a group.

What you can do is to wait for the recovery. Don't know what's next: better or even worse. Be patient to the future. The new president will give USA a new opportunity.

Excellent topic. A bit of background would be useful. After America's defeat in Vietnam we saw that in the seventies an ascendancy of Communist economies led by the former Soviet Union. The COMECON, which was the communist trading block was going on from strength to strength and a good 40% of world trade was no longer Sterling or dollar denominated. Think tanks in the USA and key elements in the government pushed the idea of engagement with China to isolate the USSR politically and economically. The process that began during the Johnson administration was effectively "nailed" by Kissinger during the Nixon administration. China was granted the Most Favorable Nation MFN trading status. This meant that import taxes were very low or entirely waived for products imported into the US from China. Corporate America and the rest of the world rushed to invest in China manufacturing, and have now created the ugly communist financial behemoth. Then America pushed for the General Agreement in Trade Tariffs (GATT) and its successor the World Trade Organization. Globalization is the inevitable result. GATT proposed and effected multilateral agreements in: 1. Trade related investment measures (TRIMS) 2. Services - the General agreement of trade in services 3. Multilateral agreement on Trade in Goods. 4, Trade related Intellectual Property Measures (TRIPS) [b]Every one knows that America is a net importer when it comes to #3, that is trade in goods. [/b] What is little known is that Corporate America is a significant winner in #1, 2 and 4. In my opinion, US government intervention in the results of agreements in Trade in goods would not only be foolish but will only result in impoverishing America further. The status quo of trade in goods actually works to America's advantage. Can the Average American actually help turn this ecomony around? The answer is a resounding yes. a1. Cut back personal consumption of electricity by 20% Turn off unnecessary lights. Use the washing machine / dish washer on a full load. Half loads are energy inefficient. Minimize if not completely eliminate use of the dryer. Turn down that thermostat by 5 degrees. Throw on a jersey instead. a2. Walk or cycle when you can. Car-pool where feasible. Take public transport where possible. a3. Push for investment in public transport. Write your congressperson, besiege them with calls. Instead of mucking around with supporting losing companies, they can effect directed investments to jumpstart the economy. a4. Pay off your debts if you can. Particularly credit card debt. If you cannot, put pressure on your bankers to restructure them cutting back interest rates to 7%. The banks have been bailed out, and it is now their turn to pass on the goodies. Lobby with congress to force the banks. a5. invest in education and skills development to leverage on the three advantages that America has secured in the community of nations. See # 1,2 & 4 above. Make that your personal statement. Focus on efficiency and productivity improvement type education. While the work-ethic together with huge natural resources help America achieve prosperity for two hundred years, to sustain that prosperity huge productivity gains need to be made. My two cents worth.

It seems odd that all of the candidates would answer with the same response. Because there really could be more than one answer to this question. Had they have ask me what the average American could do, my answer would be to show some consumer confidence. I am talking about the middle class and above here. The people who have a little more to spend but don't. Consumer confidence is what drives an economy. This was proven back in the days of the Depression. During this era the President said we need to go out and spend money. That is the only thing that will turn our economy around. And he was right. At the time, everyone had gotten so tight that they would reuse nails. Could you imagine saving a nail and unbending it, so that you cold reuse it. I know times aren't that tough right now. But if we don't do something about this in the near future, it is going to happen again. Something really needs to be done about this consumer confidence, and the middle and upper class are the only ones that can do anything. So I am hoping on the Thursday after Thanksgiving, these people go out and spend lots and lots of money! Thanks for starting this interesting discussion, and have a great day!

Its the standard policy thinking. If everybody co-operates in doing the right thing, yes, you can, definitely. If you think you don't make a difference because it doesn't apply to you or because there are so many doing it you damage the effort. The people in any country always make real difference if they all work together. If they don't, well, you've seen what can happen.

I think that purchasing American would work for the most part, but at the same time you have to remember that just because it says made in America does not mean the supplies for the product came from America. I think the American public is so sapped money wise because of the gas prices this summer that they can not afford anything extra at all. I know that when I do look I try to find American products, but if you go thru almost any kitchen aisle or any other aisle for that matter you can not find a product that says Made in America.

let me start by saying good topic. buying American won't solve the problem. The problem starts with taxes. Large companies go where they can get tax breaks and save money so the CEO's can net 100 of millions of dollars. 2nd make products that can compare to other places. USA doesn't lead in technology, automotive, medicine (I'll stop there before I think about moving somewhere else). I think a good start would be; stop allowing other countries to out do us becuase they use plants and chemicals that are illegal in the USA. 2nd. Offer incentives to Americans who study abroad. Offer them a taxe free year or something. Over 40% of them stay or go to another country.

It depends how determined the average American to help turn the economy around. Things about success will always depends on the person who is doing it.