Make It Your Business

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:09:32 +0100

Make It Your Business
By Allie

When you go shopping how often do you think about where that product came from? The United States economy has been declining, and everyone is waiting on the government to do something to fix it. But there is something that everyone can do, and it’s easy. All you have to do is watch what you buy. Buying American made products helps boost the economy. But you can do more. Locally owned and operated businesses are closing their doors. Buying food and products locally can help your city’s economy. I believe that we, as individuals, can help our own economy just by being smart shoppers.

We have been seeing a decline in American-made products which affects us more than most realize. Buying American-made products can increase job opportunities, supplying jobs for citizens. 5.5 million jobs have been lost due to businesses closing. Providing jobs for Americans increases the economy. Economic analysts, Laura Ramos states “This is true because once Americans start buying more American goods the demand for them will increase. As a result of the rising demand, more factories or plants will be developed.” I believe that all citizens have a responsibility to do what we can.

Local small businesses are closing their doors because bigger chain stores are taking over. We choose to go to Wal-Mart instead of a locally owned store down the street. Local economies affect the American economy, small businesses directly affects entrepreneurs. With local businesses closing, jobs are lost. The New Rules Project states that by supporting locally owned businesses we are helping keep the money in our own communities. And with more local businesses, there is more competition so lower prices long-term.

With the American and local economies at a downfall, so are small agricultural farms. When people think of buying locally, food is not the first thing that pops into mind. Buying food from local farms can help farmers and their families. Farmers are earning less than the cost of production. Buying locally can increase farmers income, which increases productivity. Americans consume $600 billion in food, and that money is going to other countries. But why, when we could be buying our food from right here in our own country.

We can help each other, by stop buying from companies that out source jobs. Buy local produce to help farmers. Supporting locally owned businesses to help the community. As an American, I believe it’s our duty to help our fellow entrepreneurs. By supporting small businesses we are supporting our falling economy. We can help support our fellow farmers and workers. We can help the working men and women of America by watching what we buy. It’s that easy.

Work Sited

Local Food

Sustainable Table, January 2009.

http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/whybuylocal/#econ

Local Stores

A Program Of The Institute for Local Self Relieance

http://www.newrules.org/retail/why-support-locally-owned-businesses

American Made

Why Buy American? Laura Ramos

http://www.madeinusa.org/nav.cgi?info/whybuy

Why Buy American Made Products?

http://www.americansworking.com/why.html

Small Business Decline

.Entrepreneurship is on the Decline in the U.S, Scott Shane. February 10^th, 2009

http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-small-business/2009/2/10/entrepreneurship-is-on-the-decline-in-the-us.html