Birth of a New Tradition
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 Benjamins 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 theater. 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!!
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