Made in the U.S.A

Over the past week, we have been bombarded by the media with news of various Toyota recalls.  At first it was the floor mats, then the accelerator on four of their most popular models, then there was news that  the Prius may also be experiencing some problems...and finally this morning, the Lexus Hybrid. Although this is bad news for Toyota owners, it seems that the media has been focusing almost all of it's attention on "poor old Toyota"...as if there was anything poor about them. Public Relations gurus have been interviewed ad nauseum as to the long-term effects of the "brand's image" and how Toyota can bounce back from all of this negative publicity, if at all.

Our economy is at the lowest point it has been since the Great Depression and unemployment rates were at 10% (apparently the new numbers came out today and they have gone down slightly).  For those reasons alone, it amazes me that almost every item we as American consumers can get our hands on these days is "Made in China", or some other country other than the good old USA. Instead of worrying about the future of Mr. Toyota, why aren't people considering the option that Toyota's public relations nightmare could maybe be the US auto makers' blessing in disguise? Why don't the Big 3 take advantage of this situation and try to gain back some of the market share lost to Toyota and Honda over the past who knows how many years (too many I might add)? Why don't we as Americans try to understand the simple concept that we should all strive to help our economy by keeping products from being manufactured overseas instead of here in the USA.

The other day I was at a store shopping for a few things.  As a consumer, I have never much cared about where things were made; that is, until this past year when I couldn't help but read and hear about the dog food recalls, children's jewelry and toy recalls, drywall recalls, etc. from products made in China.  Now I try to make it a point not to buy things that say "Made in China" if I can help it.  (As you know, that is almost impossible nowadays). In any event, I picked up a plate and read "Made in the USA" and it brought a smile to my face.  Something so simple and yet so rare in the world of fast growing Capitalism where making a buck seems to come at the cost and health of the consumer, not to mention much needed jobs.

I'm sorry for Toyota, I've never owned one of their cars myself, but I hope that someone out there in Detroit will see this as a golden opportunity and run with it.