Is it patriotic to shop? I would definitely say so. It just makes logical sense. The more you spend, the more the economy goes up. The economy goes up, more jobs are required. The more jobs that are required, the less unemployment there is. The chain effect goes on and on, but before we get too carried away in the dreams of spending, let’s take a closer look.
In my opinion, yes, it is patriotic to shop. But there are so many other variables that have to be seen. It’s not as clear cut and to the point as that. Simply, yes it makes logical sense, but what about all those companies that are outsourcing (getting their required and finished products from over seas)? Are we really just helping out foreign countries when we go shopping?
Almost everything these days are coming with little gold tags saying “Made in China” or scratch China and insert some other country that’s not ours. I go shopping a lot. I’m almost a shopaholic. I always joke about it with my parents and friends. When they call and ask what I’m doing, I always say “I’m giving the economy a boost.” They all know what I mean, and laugh along with me.
One of my favorite stores is American Eagle Outfitters. I pretty much buy everything from there. It’s a one stop shop for me when it comes to my attire. Lately, I’ve been paying a little more attention to the tags on the clothes I buy. Almost all of the tags for my shirts say “Made in Vietnam”. I was kind of shocked. Surely I didn’t think that everything I buy was made right here in the U.S. but it did catch me a little off guard.
Clearly, it would make more sense to buy all American made items and shop at American companies but sometimes that’s just not feasible. It would certainly help the United States more but there might not be an American company for all of our shopping needs. What do you do when this problem occurs? The answer is it is impossible. You’re going to have to shop where you know you can get what you need.
So the real question is, even if you are a shopaholic, and think you’re doing good by spending, are we really? Is it really helping us if we are buying products from overseas? The company may be American, but what if the products aren’t. These are the questions that I’ve been thinking about lately.
In closing, my answer still stands. I think it is patriotic to a certain degree to shop because we are putting money back into the economy. Clearly, if everyone hoards all their money, and buries it in the back yard, that’s not going to help anyone. Like an old quote I’ve always remembered, “You have to spend money to make money.” I find total truth in. My answer is yes, it is patriotic to shop in today’s times.
