When I was a kid, I remember getting my first transistor radio; made in Japan, then
people were starting to get concerned about Japan's role in electronics development followed by their entry into motorcycle and automobile manufacturing. In response, buy American programs were instituted by companies such as the American automakers to encourage people to keep buying American made cars. Sam Walton prided himself on providing American made goods in his pilot discount stores. Americans kept working, American manufacturing thrived and wages went up, as did the price of goods. During the 50 years since then, Americans forgot the reason it was essential to buy American made goods, that of keeping America working and self-sufficient, instead demanding cheaper and cheaper goods to buy. A new term appeared in relation to everything from razors to diapers, 'disposable'.
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