Made in America: A Logical Solution to the Economy and Unemployment

Are you sick of the high unemployment and the sluggish economy here in the U.S.A.?  Then, hear me out.  I too have become tired of politicians dancing around real issues.  Here, I outline a common sense plan to address unemployment and the economy.  It is my perspective this approach is the most logical and easiest to implement of any plan I have heard.  As well, it allows the free market and the correlated action of consumers, a synergistic coalition, to curb the current decay of the American economy.  It will increase domestic manufacturing and increase the spending power of the middle and  lower classes of American consumers.

Please consider the elements of the following plan:

1. Place the flag of the country of origin on the UPC code of all manufactured goods sold in the U.S.A.

This policy forces consumers to make a conscious decision about which countries in the world they wish to support by purchasing the goods manufactured there.  I strongly believe this puts very influential political power in the hands of the general population, which is at the roots of the morals on which this great nation was founded.  For example, say some sovereign nation began to commit atrocities towards some targeted group of people.  In addition, let us assume that there is a manufacturing infrastructure in that nation that economically depends on its ability to export consumer goods to the U.S.A.  If this policy were in effect, consumers could immediately implement boycotting strategies based on those peoples' own opinions, essentially giving the public the power to place swift justice to those countries without the necessity for government intervention.  If such public power is not at the heart of democracy, then democracy does not exist.  If citizens wish to buy a product, they will see the flag of the country of origin during that purchase.  Wouldn't that make you think twice?

2. Educate the public about the domestic economic impacts of such a policy

This is a very important part of the policy.  It is my opinion the citizens deserve and should demand an explanation about the logical consequences of any policy endorsed or created by the government through transparent public disclosure.  Here is the economic axioms on which this idea is founded:

• Any capitalistic economy is driven by the spending of the citizens of that nation on the products and services provided by the businesses based in that home country

• A very large part of the revenue of a majority of companies comes from the pockets of consumers in the middle class and below (where the largest part of the population financially reside)

• Persons employed in higher paid positions have a higher probability of saving money than those in lower income positions (a consequence of a larger disposable income)

The respective consequences of these axioms are: 1.  Economies benefit more greatly from domestically based companies; 2.  Many companies must implement strategies to attract the business of the middle and lower classes to maximize revenue potential; and 3.  It is important for the economic success of a country for the lower levels of companies to be based in that country.

It is the third consequence that is the most important.  Please pause to read the last bulletted point once more.  Ultimately, this entails that a larger proportion of lower income money gets re-injected into the economy to drive the creation of new industry.

Thus, manufacturing performed overseas gives money to the working classes of those nations, which in turn, gives the largest economic benefit to foreign counterparts while the upper management in the home based country tend to save and use additional profit to generate capital gains (which contributes to the expansion of growing, successful businesses).

However, capital investments do little to drive the creation of new industries. To be more exact, capital investments are the result of the creation of new industries.  Consumer spending drives the creation of new industry (in the absence of very prophetic venture capitalists)!

Because of this, we must increase the number of goods manufactured in America.  We must find a way to allow those jobs to be created.  This policy provides that.

Create public awareness through advertisements informing the public that the impact of buying products made in the U.S.A. will be most greatly felt by the unavoidable creation of jobs in the manufacturing sector here in the states.  Those patriotic Americans that can afford it, should buy products with the American flag on the UPC.  On the other hand, they can look at the flag of some other nation they wish to support when they shop.  

In conclusion, for the sake of economic recovery, the logical approach is to encourage job creation here in the U.S.A. by placing the national flag of the country of origin on all products sold here in the states.  This puts the power of both financial sanction and support in the hands of the American citizens, thereby reducing the need of the federal government to get involved.

For a moment, close your eyes and imagine yourself in your local store where you shop.  Picture yourself picking up a product and immediately seeing the Chinese flag on the label.  On the shelf beside that item, for a few cents more, is another product which proudly displays the American flag.  Which would you buy?

In the 1980's would you have bought a product with the Soviet flag on the front of the package?

It's time to create jobs in America!  Please share this with your friends.  And please, give me the pleasure of your constructive comments.  I will be happy to consider your views! Follow @DerrelWalters