Topic: Spending American
in Forum: Off Topic

Moderator
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New
Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are
kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of
cheaply produced goods --
merchandise that has been produced at the
expense of American labor. This
year will be different. This year
Americans will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Americans.
There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be
found that is produced by American hands.
Yes there is!
It's time to
think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt
box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes
EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your
local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's
appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health
improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed?
Small, American owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell
you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.
Are you
one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down
the
Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful
gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the
summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf
course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering
gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort,
what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
Remember, folks this
isn't about big National chains -- this is about
supporting your home town
Americans with their financial lives on the
line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil
change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the
American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom
would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.
My
computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy
who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
Donate to a Local Non-Profit, they always have a need for additional funds at this time of
year. What better way to end the year and help lower your income taxes!
OK, you were looking for
something more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and
knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful
wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated
restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out
to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so
find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you
REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house?
When you buy a five dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in
the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the
mailman, paper carrier, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG
tip.
Donate to your local university in an area of your interest - Theatre, Science, Athletics.
You see, Christmas is no
longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another
glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about
US, encouraging
American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams.
And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our
communities,
and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is
the new American Christmas tradition.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"