The New Version of Victory Gardens

credit: thebittenword.com

During World War II, U.S. citizens were encouraged to cultivate personal fruit, vegetable, and herb gardens in order to reduce pressure on the public food supply. And though it was a secondary reason, the war gardens also served as a morale booster and sense of pride for all who grew them. Today, though we don’t have victory gardens, Americans are showing their patriotism through their spending habits.

As the market has opened up, competition has grown, and goods have become less expensive. Some, however, would say that they’ve just grown cheaper - poorly made, poorly produced, and often dangerous good float around on the market today, poisoning our pets and choking our babies.

Shoddy workmanship is understandable, and sometimes acceptable: after all, how good can a $1 calculator really be? But when poor craftsmanship begins to affect our health and loved ones, some Americans have decided that only “Made in USA” will do. Indeed, in a new phenomenon called “pocketbook patriotism,” more and more U.S. citizens have mad the decision to buy more expensive, American-made products, trusting in the country’s quality controls to keep them safe.

In addition to safety concerns, buying American goods contributes to the country’s economy, and helps create and keep jobs for U.S. citizens. If ever the phrase, “put your money where you mouth is” rang true, it would be in the effort to enable Americans buy American, at least as often as possible.

Tags: Finances | Garden | Saving | Saving Money