Balancing Global Goods and Local Impact
The majority of people struggle, at least on some level, over two separate but related issues. The first concerns how much low-quality foreign “stuff” flows into the marketplace at the expense of domestic manufacturing jobs. Most of these cheap products have been produced in less-than-ideal conditions by people who are the equivalent of plantation slaves or worse. The second issue is gift giving. What do you choose for that special person on that special occasion?
Living in the global economy now means that foreign-made products are virtually impossible to escape in our daily lives. However, we do need to be conscious of the fact that when we purchase a foreign-made product from a giant multi-national retailer, most of the money, other than local wages leaves your community, as does its local economic multiplier effect. That is certainly not a good thing for your community. If you live in a smaller city or town, the effects are much more easily noticeable but the same is true for large cities.
Gift Giving: Quality Over Quantity
When it comes to gift giving, most people are on a budget. This is particularly true during the Christmas buying season which seems to fuel the search for “cheap”. I’ve always felt that gifts should reflect quality and value, not just another piece of consumer-oriented junk. They should be memorable as opposed to forgettable. Quality and uniqueness should always outweigh quantity when looking for a good gift. And yes, the budget must be kept in check.
It has been a long time since my wife and I have purchased a foreign-made item as a gift. I challenge you to do the same when it comes to gift-giving. When you do, you will make a significant difference to your local economy and in the lives of your friends and neighbors, because the cash you spend stays in your immediate community in most cases.
