Why I Only Buy in America

WITH THE NATION'S economy on the brink of another crisis (what, you haven’t heard?) and major banks expecting their feckless greed to again be punished with a harsh government bailout, what can we citizens do to help? We can shop, that’s what. It’s our patriotic duty.

In this capitalistic democracy we cast a vote for freedom every time we make a purchase. The more we buy, the more freedom we celebrate. (I didn’t just buy cat food this morning, I made a profound statement about America. And I’ll make it again when I go back for the cat litter that I forgot.)

The Founders might not have had this in mind when they conceived our republic, but they never felt the joy of buying a 24-pack of tuna at Costco, did they? In fairness, the privations of colonial America made it difficult to imagine our coming greatness, but Patrick Henry was prescient when he said, “Give me free shipping or give me death. Well, not death per se. I just really want free shipping.”

If only he had lived 200 years longer, he would have experienced the greatest consumer society in the world. (Although, at the age of 280-something, he probably would have moved to Canada for its superior geriatric care.) Of course, with greatness comes responsibility. It’s not enough to have purchasing power if it doesn’t benefit our own people, the hard-working Americans who used to make the things we buy but now mainly deliver them.

Which is why I only buy in America. I never go out of America for anything. I bought my Japanese car in America; my new colander came from an American store after it was shipped from Vietnam. And I bought my new bamboo back scratcher not from Japan, where it was made, but on the American internet. (It’s great for getting at those hard-to-reach spots, and also useful during city council meetings. “The chair recognizes the gentleman with the teeny little hand.”)

BUT WE CHRISTIAN justice types have concerns about this hyper-capitalistic economy. It’s difficult to find our values in it. (Is it wrong to look for “reduce, reuse, and recycle” in a Nike ad?) And it’s especially challenging when surrounded by the tempting bounty of Satan. I mean Amazon. For people who value work and the worth it conveys, buying from Amazon seems hypocritical, albeit hypocritical like a fox, who enjoys convenience, unlimited selection, and quick delivery.

But Amazon only values its workers until the robots come. Which begs the question: Do we choose the path of Christian empathy for the dignity of the worker, or take the road to rapacious consumption? And is the difference mainly free shipping? (Satan says: “Come on, free shipping!!”)

It shouldn’t be a hard choice. Amazon is systematically destroying what’s left of the small businesses Walmart didn’t destroy already. And for years I proudly boycotted Walmart, driving past its stores into small-town America when I needed something, such as batteries. And then I’d drive back to Walmart because small-town America doesn’t have batteries anymore, just coffee shops and gift stores. (I felt guilty afterward, of course, so I listened to two TED Talks as penance. It’s a great way to feel you’re actively engaging with the issues, when you’re really just listening to the radio in your kitchen.)

BUT WHAT DO TO? Keep it simple: Consume only what you need, consider the source, honor the work, respect the worker.

And use that new Facebook money. It’s another great idea from Silicon Valley, right Alexa?