Last night in his State of the Union Speech, President Obama said, 

“Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.”

I won't give my opinion on whether the federal government has any part to play in this because I believe, more importantly, we individuals have the power to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. 

The main reason that America loses jobs to overseas factories is because the big-box stores demand lowest prices at any cost.

In theory, this sounds like they have our best interests at heart.  We consumers do not want to pay more than we have to.  But, what is the consequence of this mission of lowest price at all cost?  The consequence is that “all cost” is American jobs.

Manufacturers cannot meet the low-cost demand of big-box stores, make a profit AND pay American wages.  One manufacturer said in the book, The Wal-Mart Effect, by Charles Fishman that he moved his operation to Mexico to save on labor costs; but even that was too expensive.  He ended up closing both American and Mexican factories and moving his operation to Asia so that he could pay less to his employees.  Who does this hurt?  Everyone!  Americans, then Mexicans and lastly Asians who are the just the latest indentured servants to the Industrial Revolution.

We – yes you and me – can bring back manufacturing jobs to America by NOT buying the least expensive product just because it is the cheapest.  Another person quoted in the book said, “Every time you see that happy face in the Wal-Mart commercials slashing prices, another person just got punched in the stomach.”  If  you knew that you were reviving the American economy and helping your fellow man and woman make a decent wage, would it make sense to you to buy for quality instead of cheapest cost?

Yes, it makes common sense.

Problem/Solution Monday - Daily Aspirin

This is the article that appeared in my newspaper today from the New York Times

HEALTH   | January 16, 2012 
Well: Daily Aspirin Is Not for Everyone, Study Suggests 
By TARA PARKER-POPE 
Nearly a third of middle-aged Americans regularly take aspirin in the hope of preventing a heart attack or a stroke, but in some patients this so-called wonder drug is doing more harm than good


Fortunately a solution is quickly available.  The same doctor who developed the "aspirin-a-day" regiment capitalized on his research to develop a health healthy nutritional supplement that is more effective than aspirin and does not have the side effects of aspirin.  This supplement was developed by a wellness company that manufactures and promotes safer, healthy products for people, homes and the environment and has a patent to ensure quality.  Contact me at www.livetotalwellness.com/nanb or www.findingfreedomteam.com/nanb and I can give you the complete information on this incredible product and company.

Join the Good News Club

The Good News Club is being organized as an on-line place to counteract the “Wal-Mart Effect.”

The Wal-Mart Effect has many factors, but the most troubling is the effect that forces businesses to manufacture  consumable products with the lowest quality (and often un-safe) ingredients by people being paid the lowest wages so that these stressed businesses can make a profit . . . pennies in profits.

This effect results in:

·         Less to non-effective products

·         Unhealthy homes full of toxic products made with less expensive synthetic and cancer-causing chemicals

·         U.S. wage-earners losing their jobs

·         Wage-earners in other un-regulated countries being paid pennies to produce these  sub-standard products

·         A cheapened, coarser, polluted world

Now for the Good News!

I thought I would have a difficult time finding ways that businesses were working against the grain and deciding on their own to take a stand against ” low prices at all cost” in their quest for a piece of the market.

But, happily, I am wrong for two reasons:  

1.       Businesses are taking a stand against the Wal-Mart Effect and producing quality products  

2.       They are easy to find once we take the time to start looking.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:    APPLE

Apple has always stood their ground on prices.  Wal-Mart has had no effect in convincing Apple to tow the line and offer sales to its customers.  Of course, when you are Apple you have a lot more say than a start-up or Mom and Pop, but still kudos to them.

The bigger news to announce this week is that Apple is making another stand by joining the Fair Labor Association.  I applaud their realization that they have the power to demand that their overseas suppliers pay their employees decent wages, provide adequate work environments and conditions.

The Good News Club Challenge:

1.       If you have a “shout out” of businesses who are putting quality first, we want to hear about it and spread the Good News. 

2.       As consumers we have power.  Refuse to buy the lowest priced product if you have any suspicions that the product is of sub-standard quality and cheapens society with its production. 

3.       Find another company that sells a better quality mouse-trap and tell us about it.  Welcome to the Club