Birth of a New American Christmas Tradition(???)
I posted the following comment to another DU thread yesterday and was encouraged to post this as an OP. The thread was here: .http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4080145
One of my very conservative (I won't label them tea partiers, but it's close) relative sent me this email the other day. The subject line was "Birth of a New Christmas Tradition." Not wanting to duplicate other posts here, I did a search and saw where it was posted on DU in 2011 by lonestarnot. My GOP relatives have always been HUGE supporters of WalMart and Sams Club, etc. Now, all of sudden, they are railing against stuff made in Asia. Wonder where this will lead? Is this something that was initiated by the AFL-CIO. If so, I'm ecstatic that the right is trying to co-opt the message of "Buy American, etc." I have searched high and low for the source of this e-mail, but have not found anything. It apparently started in 2011 as 2011 Birth of a New Christmas Tradition."
At any rate, here is the whole thing:
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.
This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Oh.... Yes there is! It is time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin's on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.
And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community.
If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US (We the People), encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could not imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition!!
Please pass this around. We can make a difference. Can't we?
"If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished."
= new reply since forum marked as read
while listening to a Montana PBS online thing and there was an ad for this, maybe it will be on other PBS stations..?
I thought it sounded interesting enough to look it up and this is the write-up:
(HD, TVG, English)
56 minutes
Today, 11:00 PM MontanaPBS
Tom Xia emigrated from mainland China to California at age eight. A series of Chinese toy recalls forces Xia's neighbors, the Joneses, to have their son tested for lead poisoning. With China's assent to world superpower status heating up American fears, Xia challenges the Joneses to make it through the Christmas season without any Chinese products, beginning a journey to find American identity amongst all the American media hype, Chinese nationalist propaganda and cultural misunderstandings.
Perhaps there are some good ideas there..?
a really good idea.
check out Decatur Market and Gallery. My daughter has some amazing art for sale there. First on the right, you can see it from the street. 
nice find!
-p
Do you think shopping locally is bad? I don't get your beef. Personally, I don't care if that conservative follows through, it's a good idea for the rest of us. Just because a conservative turns out to be a hypocrite (and when don't they?), that's no reason for the left to ignore the idea 100% of the time. Good gravy. 
