Made in the USA is NOT Enough to Save the Economy

        What is wrong with our country today? Everyone sits around complaining about the economy and waits for it to fix itself. People would bash the newest politicians out their than worry about what is happening in their own backyard. The crazy thing is that we have solutions to fixing our own local economies - there are studies that show how to fix the problems at home. Simply put - Shop Local.  If your money stays local there are more jobs at home - more revenue in the local economies.  Buy made in the USA when you can - but if you buy from a large chain store - most of your money still leaves your area.  Large chain stores employ less people - get huge tax breaks - cost local communities to even be there. We are paying them less up front sometimes - but always paying more in the long run. When the local American population can wrap their heads around that then we will be on the right track again.
        If you seriously think that Obama and Washington are ready to pull us out of this and have all the answers- then please - let me sell you a bridge in Brooklyn.

Small Business Owner - Take Control of the American Economy

        Are you a small business owner - or do you have a network of small business owners that are suffering in todays economy? I want to hear from you and the problems you are facing so thay can be addressed and we can get our country's economy back on track.
ALocalWay@aol.com
@ALocalWay on Twitter
or leave a comment here

Even if you are just a local consumer tired of seeing your town losing local businesses due to the economy - if you want to help - let me know!

The American people want to support you - let's show them how!!!

The Biggest Problem with the American Economy

        The problem is that the money is LEAVING the country - the only way to fix this is through the American people - if we keep sending more money overseas then there is less to spread around the US - doesn't anybody else see inflation coming?
        We need to act now - if we buy American products owned by foreign investors - money is going overseas - if you buy from corporations and not local businesses - you are sending money out of your community - if you do not bank locally - you are hurting your local economy
       If we do not change our habits the government is going to end up running every aspect of our lives - where is the freedom in that ?
       Simply put - we are in trouble because our money is LEAVING the country because of the choices WE make on a daily basis. We are shooting ourselves in the foot and crippling our own economy.
      I don't care what party you belong to - your leader's hands will be tied if this problem is not resolved - the answers are simple. I will spell it out again - long version - later today
     Spread this message - we can take hold of this - I know the American people want to do this but do not know how - this can make this easy for them - balancing this is really quite simple if we can get the ear of the people.

Let's make "Too Big to Fail" "Too Small to Matter" Local Economy

    Was it $700 billion dollars that all those big banks needed to pull out with after they used our money to play with on Wall Street? I could be wrong on that figure - but I am pretty sure it wasn't less.  Why did the government bail them out? Oh yeah - "too big to fail" - they had to survive so they could take care of us - right?  They needed the banks to keep loaning money so our economy could keep growing and put people back to work.
   Who has the money?
The largest 20 banks in the USA have 57% of bank assets averaging  $380 billion
The mid size banks have around 11%  - averaging $1-10 billion each
small banks - 11%  $1 billion and under
   Who does the lending?
The largest 20 banks  - 28% of loans
Mid size banks - 20 % of loans
small banks - 34% of loans
  So the small banks with the least amount of money are lending the most to help to grow our economy - while the big banks are probably playing on Wall Street again and making their investors happy - why did we bail them out again?
Why are we giving them our money?  If we want a better local economy - doesn't it make more sense to put our money in a bank that believes in your community? After all the mistakes they have made in the past I would be afraid to leave my money in the hands of heartless corporate fat cats.
   I say we invest in Main Street - Not Wall Street !!!!!
Here is your chance to make a difference without changing your lifestyle a bit - move your money to a local bank or credit union - keep your money local and help your community - prevent Too be to Fail again - if we all move our accounts - they become - Too Small To Matter - the next time they make a bad investment - let them go down - the way they should have to begin with. 
If you love your community - take the time and move your accounts - a minor headache - should have been done a long time ago. Follow the money trail and start keeping your cash at home - I will continue to seek out the easiest ways to help solve the shop local buy USA issues - this is the easiest one.  You will be doing your part everyday without even knowing it.
With all the talk from the Obama administration about jobs and the economy - you would think that things would have turned for the better by now - I guess it really is left up to us to get control.   The key is to keep money at home.
More local and made in the USA = more jobs -   we need banks that are on board to achieve this.
So Support your LOCAL bank!!!!!

Imports Claim Another Victim

My heart sank today after reading about a town in Nevada that will cease to exist (zip code and all) after June 20, 2011. The town was called Empire and was once home of the United States Gypsum Corporation. They have operated there 100 years and produced drywall. They are a fortune 500 company. People will say because of the slump in house building the company had to close the plant - I blame the imported drywall. Does anyone remember the news about all the toxic Chinese drywall that they used in those newer homes in Florida? Why were those builders using imported products to begin with - Oh yeah - the price was cheaper. Cheaper because of the lower standards and now people have lost their homes and have serious health problems as a result of their builders greed and our GOVERNMENTS negligence. That's right - I am blaming the government on this one. WHY does the government allow sub-standard products in our country? Why do American businesses have to live up to such a high standard to protect the US citizen and then the government allow toxic imports in. Double standard?   If we are going to get poisoned then why not by other Americans - at least that way the money would be in our country and we wouldn't be in a recession - or here's a better idea - why not make the imports coming into our country be at American standards - then at least the prices would be even and the American businessman would catch a break - as well as our country not being over run with health issues.
Want to cut health care ???  KEEP POISON PRODUCTS OVERSEAS - our country needs to turn it's nose up to these cheap plastics and protect ourselves from the damage they cause to our bodies.
We have to change our spending habits now and quit KILLING our country in every way possible.
Empire, Nevada - my heart breaks for you. United States Gypsum Co. is reportedly helping the town with free housing, etc...  It is nice to hear someone trying to do their part to help fellow Americans - Isn't it time we do ours and sacrifice the pleasures of imported doo dads and buy what we really need from local vendors and American made if possible?  KNOW where your money goes - even when you bank - who owns the "American" companies we buy from?  Find a locally owned gas station and start using it for God's sake - WE OWE THIS TO OUR KIDS - they would rather have a country to grow up in than a cheap plastic Chinese toxic toy!
Amanda Schalau
Average American

A Local Way - To Help the Economy: America Can Survive and Thrive

A Local Way - To Help the Economy: America Can Survive and Thrive

America Can Survive and Thrive

    Our country is at a crossroads - our decisions in the next few months could affect the outcome of our economic strength for decades. The answers being presented around the Internet are time consuming, inconvenient and quite frankly ineffective. The efforts are there - people do care and that is what I have been looking for. It has presented to me that America is without hope - doomed to an economic depression beyond all imagination. There will be riots in the streets and starving children. All this because Americans are selfish and lazy. They no longer have the spirit or drive to take action. They have become a mass of followers and prefer to point their fingers and whine. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS.
  Our country was founded by our forefathers setting aside their differences and working for a common good. They carried in their hearts an unwavering sense of patriotism, compassion and brotherhood. They established a foundation for freedom and equality like no other country had ever had before on earth. This fire burns in the hearts of all Americans - it is witnessed when a threat to our country fans the embers and reignites the flames of passion that Americans feel for their country.  We are a country that does not give up - we fight for what is right - we are strong.
  Our attentions are being diverted from real issues that will make a difference in our lives - as the donkeys and elephants continue to trample on democracy in Washington  - we are watching and waiting for an outcome that will make little difference to us if we cannot change the public mindset of social and fiscal responsibility.  The power of the government is only as strong as the people it represents.  We define the government by our actions (not our words) They do not define us. We cannot wait until we are pushed to the brink of desperation before we take action. We cannot allow our situations to worsen while we wait on the red tape in Washington to unravel. The results of our combined actions will be bigger than any legislation passed in congress.  I am talking about the effect it will have on our everyday lives - long term change - for the people - by the people. 
  Think this doesn't apply to you - think again.  You may not be headed for unemployment or welfare but inflation will soon start eating into your stock pile of cash.  If the government can't pay for our military - are you really going to feel that safe living in a country that cannot defend itself from terrorists?  "United We Stand Divided We Fall" means a lot more than people realize.
   Our country needs a renewed sense of hope and pride - we need a united productive direction to prove that we are still cut from the same moral fiber as the great patriots that founded this great country of ours.  Our forefathers were asked to lay down their lives in the name of liberty and freedom and they did this without hesitation. What we can do for our country does not come with such a steep price but is just as important. Do not allow Lady Liberty to stumble and fall on our watch - let's prove that our generation of Americans can be as strong as the great generations of Americans before us.
Shop Local - Buy American - support your neighborhoods - quit listening to the negative banter about a dying cause - know where your money goes and keep it local if not in the country. Quit being a zombies and stay out of Walmart (70% Chinese products)  Start your Christmas shopping now and go to local vendors to fill your orders - Do you realize the run off of American dollars at Christmas time - never to return - Is it possible to have an "American Made" Christmas? Our country cannot survive the flow of money out anymore - what is more important - that silly piece of plastic for little Susie - or a country for her to grow up in.
We take our country back - We are REAL people with REAL values and our children are not spoiled brats that have to have these chinese toys - we can live without the junk until an American company comes along and makes it for us to buy from our local vendor - the % of $ that stays in your community will amaze you if you all get onboard.
I will be putting out the community plans to get started soon - all this is free - I do not get paid - it comes from my heart and what I feel for my country and my community and my family. It is what we are all supposed to do for mankind - help without expectation of payment. There will also be ways for you to get involved by forwarding ideas to local businesses - and how you can start to modify your spending habits in small ways that will make a difference.  I am here to answer questions - solve problems - and lend a hand. Everything that will be put forth in this "plan" has been thought out and easily adaptable to the busy working class American lifestyle. Ease and convenience are key to getting this to work and online ordering is good from some things, but not the answer to everything.  I am getting all the info a patriot needs into one spot - and this is information that will change your communities - for free - I will not be selling anything.
Get ready for our country to move towards recovery - we will survive and thrive!
God Bless America
Average American
Amanda Schalau
If you are interested in helping save the American Economy - please spread

Big Biz Runs for the Border

        The purpose for this blog is education - we intend to educate the American public on how their everyday choices reflect on the economy, to shop responsibly, to poke fun at some of the extreme politicking going on, and above else we want to help our fellow man.  We believe that most Americans do not realize the power they yield at the check out register and that if they had a bit of help understanding where their hard earned cash is going - they would make better choices. Responsible spending will bring with it - a lower deficit, more money in your community, more jobs, better jobs, better education, higher home values, less crime, etc...  All of these things are happening in India right now - they have a growing middle class as the American middle class shrinks.  I wonder if that has something to do with all the jobs our American Big Biz have moved there to avoid our governments regulations? hmmmm
     If you have made it this far through the blog and you are yawning right now then apparently you fail to understand how this is going to affect you. So your job is safe - you are indespensible - you have it made - right?  Wrong!  Think again - the next time you pull out in your BMW I want you to take a look around at your neighborhood. How secure is it going to be as the middle class disappears and your fellow citizens begin to turn to crime? Look at the public parks - how long will the money last before funding is cut to support those little luxuries in life - feeding straving families surely will override cutting the grass. What abouit all those lovely little independently owned businesses that line the streets of your hometown - will they still be there after these big box chain stores plopped down in the middle of town and are given all these tax breaks resulting in the little guy not being able to compete. Now that middle class American citizens are becoming lower class Americans - has anyone thought about their tax dollars shrinking as well? You can't get blood from a turnip you know. So where will these new tax dollars come from - YOU - the future over taxed citizens - because remember - you still have your job - the government still has to get paid - big biz is protecting itself by running over the border. 
     So before you roll your eyes and say it doesn't apply to you - Think Again - spread the message - we are going to continue ongoing education about the money trail. We are not selling anything - but like you, We will benefit from having a better America and it can happen quicker and have more impact if we do it ourselves instead of waiting on Washington to cut through all the red tape!
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American

Beer and Hair - How It Begins

   Beer - Before the first European stepped foot onto this great country of ours, the Native American Indians were brewing up batches of beer made from what the land had to offer - corn, water, birch sap, as well as a variety of other things. As the early colonials began to populate the land, different styles of brewing developed and beer quickly became a mainstay in the American diet as opposed to wine like in many other countries. By the time prohibition came along there were thousands of microbreweries spread across the land offering up different styles and taste as varied as the location and craftsmen they were coming from. It was an art form as well as an inexpensive refreshing treat for the working class.  You could tell where you were by the beer in your mug.    When the 18th amendment outlawed the production, consumption and sale of beer, thousands of these micro breweries closed their doors and part of our American culture was lost forever. When prohibition ended 13 years later, the larger breweries bounced back and they are responsible for the production of the majority of the beer produced in America today.
   Prohibition brought with it organized crime, prisons filled to capacity, unemployment, and a loss of legitimate taxes. All this because the government wanted to legsilate our morality. So the government made a mistake - how does this affect you now? It has been almost 100 years and we are still feeling the ripple of prohibition. 
   We lost thousands of small businesses that shaped our country and those businesses were replaced by the larger beer companies that mass produce a lower quality product. Most of these large beer companies are not even American owned - yes they are still produced in America and provide jobs for Americans - however - the bottom line is where is the money going at the end of the day - the money is being tapped out of our economy like beer from a keg.
   As I looked at the history of beer and saw how far it had come through the years, I did note that one of the only good things that came out of the self indulgent 1980's was an interest in micro brewed beer again. Those microbreweries have grown and now offer us a choice between the 100% American beer or the "We make it here" beer that is so widely consumed today.
   And of course - as I pondered the 1980's, I thought back to my preteen years and how I was determined to have the biggest perm in school. This had me thinking of the beauty salon and how the beauty shop and barber shop employees were truly our first form of social media. I am sure that any beauty salon worth it's weight could spread any news quicker thn facebook and twitter combined.
  So my goal today was to start a discussion at the beauty shop about buying a 100% American beer instead of the regular cans of blah.  We decided that if enough people started buying the 100% American beer that it would be good for the economy as well as for a spice of flavor in our lives - but would the husbands go for this - hmmmmm. That is a whole different question - is their patriotism stronger than their desire for the mundane and bland cans of comfort they have clung to since their teenage years? Do they even realize that part of their hard earned American cash is heading overseas with every ice cold sip? Would they be willing to and be proud to sport an ice chest full of American pride to this weekend's ballgame?
We will cross our fingers and hope - God Bless America
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American  ;-)

ALocalWay America on Facebook

  We have a page on Facebook - ALocalWay America - I will be posting my blogs there for a while - and putting the webpage up - I think I replied to too many mentions - I am not real sure - but I will not be discouraged in my efforts to get the economy back on track so moving forward - please spread the word to any of my tweet followers so that they may have a way to find me!   I used the same picture so I will be easy to find!

Saving America is More Than A One Man Job

    I was tweeting the other day and ranting about the economy and how people should shop local and buy made in America products - when I got a reply from @NiceGent - his site promotes US made products. Go to it and click the link for a listing of where to find a variety of thing made in the USA.  Anyway - back to my point - he used the word "we" all have to do our part. I have been going about this project head strong that I was going to get this done. I, I, I - me, me, me. 
   How dare I look at this in that way - I did not come up with the concept of "buy Local" nor did I think up "Buy American" - what made me think that I could turn a nation's thinking around all by myself? Was I so arrogant that I thought I could do this single handily? Seriously - I was in for a reality check - people have been working for years to get this message out - why do Americans like myself and @NiceGent among countless others continue to have to remind fellow Americans WHY they should be more aware of where their money is going and how this is going to help their communities as well as their country survive?  What is it that we are doing wrong trying to get the message across and how can I make a difference in this large group of people with the same goals?
   What talents that have been given to me by God will further the cause? How can I make a difference doing the same thing that so many other are doing? Should I give up? Is this a lost cause? The answer of course is NO.
    The reason there are so many people trying to do this is because it is important. I was given the gift of gab by our dear Lord and I intend to use that talent to the fullest - I have also been blessed with common sense. My desire to see this thing through to the bitter end is fueled by human loss - a powerful incentive to say the least.  I have the ability to organize reasonable efforts that can be implemented immediately.  And the last thing I can bring to the table - I was in insurance marketing for 15 years - I was a head hunter of sorts - I can link up individuals and organizations that will benefit each other. I am not a threat because I sell nothing and I am doing this with pure intentions.
   So moving forward in America's quest to fix the economy - I will be finding better ways to utilize my talents - not just begging the American public to Shop Local and Buy American. If I intend to make a splash in this cause - I will have to start helping the others that already have begun this monumental task of spreading awareness. The impact of my work will not be seen in the number of my followers - but in the added success of those who are supporting the cause by offering American products. I am here at their service and the American public's to help make our country a better place.
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American
The next blog will be on How YOU can help in small ways!

Have Big Business & the Government Turned it's Back on Us?

   I grow tired of the red tape and the excuses that are being presented to me about why "Buy American" cannot and should not work. The truth of the matter is that people who say it should not be done are the big businesses that have found a less expensive and more efficient way to operate. Yes these companies have sold out their fellow Americans for a few bucks. They decided that the bottom line was more important - what they have failed to realize is that their customer base is going broke. They start peddling their services and products overseas and then they are okay again but we are left holding nothing but a pink slip. These companies that have supported American familes for years - that built their wealth off of our population have turned their backs on us. - and why?  Because the USA government imposes stricter labor laws and environmental standards than the third world countries do.
  What does this mean to you - do you think you matter to that big business or to any of those political parties now? You don't - The political parties are going to follow the money trail - the businesses just threw you away.  The political parties are going to cater to big business to keep their bankroll.
  The only thing you have left is your fellow Americans left out to fend for themselves. All is not lost - we can band together and take back our country with simply beginning to buy American made products - demand that is the way it has to be = teach your children - or the greed that has consumed our leaders will rear it's ugly head for generations to come
  We are becoming a nation of very rich and very poor - there will be no middle class - I refuse to watch this happen to my great country when all we have to do is buy American.
Think about it - let's take America back. One purchase at a time.
Amanda Schalau
Average American

Memorial Day - Not Just for Barbeques

    Memorial Day is fast approaching - what a wonderful holiday we all look forward to. For our school aged children it marks the beginning of summer and to the working class it marks a well deserved long weekend.  The stores are already full of shoppers picking up varieties of meat to grill and barbeque this weekend. The interstates are beginning to crowd with eager travelers who are taking this opportunity for a weekend getaway.  Who doesn't look forward to Memorial day?
   But - have we all forgotten the "Memorial" in Memorial Day? How many of us really think about what it really means and how we are truly supposed to observe this most reverent of days?
   Memorial Day began after the Civil War when citizens began to honor fallen soldiers who died in the service of their country by decorating their headstones - hence - the day was originally called Decoration Day. No one knows exactly where this tradition was first started and there are several towns that have laid claim to being the location where it began.  The important thing is that it began, it was never important about who started it but more important that it gave the community a chance to come together to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our freedom.
  The proper way to observe Memorial Day is as follows:

 - By visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
- By flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon. Memorial Day is a day of "National Mourning."   
- By attending religious services of your choice.
- By visiting memorials.
- By participating in a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3:00 PM local time, to pause and think upon the meaning of the day and for taps to be played where possible.
- By renewing a pledge to aid the widows, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

   I will be one of the many American patriots who will be observing the day correctly. It is a day to remember and mourn the fallen - not to celebrate. It is a day of reverence for those who thought of their country first and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the American way of life would prevail.
   Memorial Day started with spontaneous gatherings of Americans with a common goal to do the right thing for our country's fallen heroes - at first it was random and was observed on different days of the year. Now it is a nationally recognized holiday with it's own day - the last Monday in May. (First recognized officially on May 30, 1968 - this year in 2011 we will also observe on May 30th.)  It  spread because it was a good idea and the right thing to do for our country.
  I believe that our project "ALocalWay" is also a good idea - that we will spontaneously motivate different local communities to start buying locally and that one day our movement like Memorial Day will be nationally recognized just because it is the right thing to do for our country. We will never hold a candle to what Memorial day represents - ever.  In every graveyard across this country lies at least one patriot that gave his most precious possession willingly so that we could enjoy our liberties.  These noble souls deserve to be remembered.
  As the generations of Americans that knew sacrifice first hand fade away into memory, and I look upon a nation full of spoiled self serving disrespectful youth that are being brought up to be our future citizens - I shudder to think they will be leading the greatest country on earth.  The surge of patriotism that we saw after 9/11 has faded too quickly. They take for granted the freedoms that were given to them at birth. They assume they are a God given right and will always be there.  They do not understand fully the blood that was shed on their behalf.
  Listen carefully - do not think that the USA will be here forever if you have no intention of taking care of it. When I was born - there were two super powers on Earth the USA and the Soviet Union. - Now there is one - The United States of America. It will not survive wihout the American spirit that each one of these fallen soldiers believed in and died for.
"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country."   John F Kennedy

God Bless America
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
The Average American
  
  
 
   

We Need A Hero!

    This past weekend I decided to see The Pirates of the Caribbean - for some odd reason I, like the rest of the world, am fascinated by Captain Jack - even though he is a vulgar drunk that looks like he would stink if you were too close to him. I was raised in Louisiana so I guess I am not offended by this because I have been to Mardi Gras several times. As the previews began to play, I took note of the types of movies that were headed my way this summer. The list included "Hung Over 2", "X-Men", "Super 8", "The Green Lantern", "Mr. Popper's Penguins", "Transformers", The Zookeeper", Captain America", "Harry Potter", and "Cowboys And Aliens".
    The audience sat with looks of anticipation on the edge of their seats, absorbing the previews and was delighted with what Hollywood had to offer them over the next few months. I, on the other hand, looked at this in a different way. What I saw was a line up of fantasy films spotted with a few comedies.  It was a reflection of the times that we are in.  When the economy is on the downside, Hollywood knows that America wants to escape from the reality of life. They know we are looking for fantastical heroes that will save the Earth and make everything alright. We long for those wonderful characters that always prove that good prevails over evil.
  It was that way in the 1970's with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg giving us "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" when there were issues with oil and gas prices. In 2008 there was a summer of "The Hulk",  "Iron Man" and a Batman movie - all there to deter attention from the recession. And now we face another summer of fantasy flicks to help ease our minds of the economy and the national deficit.
   Seeing the way that  Hollywood and  Americans handle their entertainment choices in these hard times it is no wonder that it is easy for the country as a whole to turn a blind eye to the problems our nation is facing.  Distracting ourselves with fantasies and not facing the realities is allowing politicians and big businesses to make decisions for us and to go unchecked. Believing that good always trumps evil has enabled these people in power to make terrible decisions on our behalf because we believed they would use these powers given to them responsibly.
  It is so common to hear people complain about the state of things in the economy - but then turn back to their daily lives and do nothing. They wait for someone else to take action for them and save the world from a terrible injustice - just like in the movies - they are waiting for their Super Hero to come along and save the day.

But wait - what's that?!?
It's faster than a spending politician!
More powerful when you buy locally!
Able to leap tall piles of imported products in a single bound!
Look up into the sky!
It's Jobs!   It's Opportunity!

It's Captain Buy American!

 Sincerely - Amanda Schalau
Average American!
  

Fix the Deficit - We Can Do It Together

     Today marks one month of my being on Twitter and blogging. I first had to pat myself on the back for being able to continue with my efforts despite having 4 children with active lives as well as trying to start working again after a year off due to my husband's suicide. After losing my home, my husband, and most of my friends (people avoid the widow of a suicide victim because they just feel uncomfortable),  I now have 4 well adjusted children, found a reasonably sized home to rent, started to work again, married a man who understands me and dries my tears as I continue to heal. This wonderful man supports my endeavors to continue with this project that my daughter Lauren suggested to help America get back on it's feet quicker so that maybe we can prevent what happen to our family from happening to theirs.
     I revisited why I started the project to refocus on what we are wanting to accomplish with all my tweeting and ranting.  The bottom line is to educate as many Americans as possible that their actions count. People everywhere need to realize that for every action there is a reaction - every action reaps a consequence.  If the American people continue to buy imported goods as opposed to American made goods - the reaction is that there are no jobs in America.  If the Government continues with it's unfair trade practices and heavy taxes on the businesses in America - there are no jobs at home.
    The deficit is a result of the governments actions against American businesses. The reason the deficit continues to spiral out of control is that the government cut off their own revenue by running the American businesses overseas or out of business all together. Now that there are less businesses to pay taxes and less American workers to pay taxes - the Government is compelled to raise taxes on the businesses and Americans left in the country that still have jobs. The only way to prevent the spiral downward in our American economy is to stop the excess of imports and bring the manufacturing back to America.
    Our mission is to educate the American public on how important it is to change our habits - the people have to do this now - because Washington moves slow - and they solve problems in complicated ways that seem to never show results.
    What we need to make our project a success is to have enough Americans recognize what we are trying to do and make an effort to support their fellow Americans. If we can get enough people to join our cause then the American people can do what the government has a such a hard time trying to accomplish on it's own. We can turn around the economy, give jobs back to our fellow Americans - we can support our military for humanitarian causes as well as defend our country from our foes and terrorists - we can stand on our own two feet again and be the country that I know we are. We can get rid of the deficit and Washington can quit fighting over money and start taking care of it's citizens as well as the world again.
   This cause is the only good thing to come from the suicide of a great man - Monty Townsend - he retired from the Army - he loved his country and he was a small businessman living the American dream. Mistakes that we, as a country, made filled his heart with hopelessness and despair when it came to supporting his family. No American should feel like their family is going to be homeless and go hungry. 
   It is time for our message to spread across the country - letting the American people know it is in their hands to fix this - the American public has the power to change everything for the better or continue to turn a blind eye to the problem. We have to stand together to fix this problem.
   So as I close out my first month of tweeting and blogging - I want to thank those who have encouraged me - those that I have just met but I feel like I have known forever. The good friends I have made - the people who have taken time out of their busy lives and read my blog and thought about what I have had to say.
   As I sit at my keyboard with tear filled eyes, I feel so blessed that I am not alone - and even though I rant and have days where I vent nonstop, there are people out there that also wish for a better tomorrow who continue to support me.
I sincerely thank you all from the bottom of my heart,
Amanda Schalau
The Average American ;-)
 
     

If The World Ends - Washington is Off the Hook

        Because the world is supposed to end tomorrow I decided that worrying about America's future today is just a waste of time.  Why should I be bothered with all the spending in Washington if no one is going to have to pay the bill anyway?  Who cares that there are millions unemployed and will not be able to find a decent job because we have sent all our jobs overseas? I mean we really should be thanking our government for all those unfair trade laws that made it impossible for the American companies to compete and keep their workers employed. Bringing all those imports in was helping us out. We should thank them for all the time they afforded us to stay home and relax with our families in these latter days before armageddon. Without all the unfair treatment towards the American businesses - there would be millions of Americans wasting their time at work today.
       Apparantly - our government has had it all figured out from the beginning - No Jobs and No Money didn't matter - they knew the whole time that we wouldn't be needing to work for the future - there would be no generation after us to have to clean up the mess. They are so smart - now I know why we elected them.
       I wonder if they know what they are going to do if they are wrong and there is a tomorrow?

You Can Learn A Lot From Baseball

       Recently I was sitting in the bleachers at a baseball game and I took a moment to look at the fans that surrounded me. Most were adorned in their team colors, some wore jerseys of their favorite players - there were even toddlers and small babies decked out in the appropriate colors to somehow ensure that the fan base would flourish and continue to grow. It was not difficult at all to tell which team each person was cheering for.  Some of these fans arrived early, some came late, some watched attentively the entire time while others chatted away on cell phones and frequented the concession stands as much as possible. Others  partied in the stands as if this were part of the social scene with no real interest in who would win or lose. And of course there were the clock watchers hoping to get a head start on the traffic that would hit directly after the game.
       As I sat there during the top of the 6th inning contemplating on exactly which category I fell into - a fight broke out between two fans from opposing teams. It did not stop the game, nor did it garnish the attention of the players on the field or the umpires. The two men threw punches at one another and screamed ugly phrases at each other about how the other fan's team was a bunch of "losers and idiots".  They defended their own team's players as if it were a matter of life and death. It occurred to me that these two men were so blinded by team loyalty that they could not bring themselves to see or admit that the other fan's team members were quite accomplished and actually brought a lot of talent into the game. They failed to realize that the opponents on the field actually challenged each other and brought out the best in each of them for the benefit of all the fans.
      We have all been guilty of sitting in the stands and not looking at the individually gifted players . We have judged them by the uniforms they wore on their backs. We have nonchatlantly ignored the blatant mistakes of our own team members or made excuses for them and at the same time we have called foul and looked for fault at any good plays made by members of an opposing team. We have looked at the talents of any opposing team members and seen them as a threat. Because we had chosen our team before the game even started we had already made up our minds that the opposing team was substandard at best.  If they happenned  to win it would be a fluke and an injustice.
     Politics plays out much in the same way.  We are brought up by our family and friends to follow a "team" and at a very early age we are predispositioned to believe that everything our team does is right and everything the opposing "team" does is always wrong. We are forced into choosing a side - republican or democratic - or we can go to the minor leagues and choose an indepentdent. We are taught to judge our political leaders and candidates by the party they represent, not for that individual's character or his  accomplishments.
    These leaders and candidates are forced to pick a team as well - they are forced to pick a team so that they will have the support they need to get into the game and out of the dugout.  Unfortunately when this happens the candidate or leader automatically becomes a threat to anyone not associated with his team. That candidate is labeled for life and any good that he could have brought to the table will be fought or opposed by the other teams. Half the nation's willingness to work with any good idea that candidate may have will  disappear because the opposing teams refuse to give up a "win"  strictly out of fear of losing their "fans."    Just like in the world of sports - having more fans in politics means more money and more financial support. So in the end the battle of power, money and fans ultimately becomes the focus - taking up more time and energy than  should be spent on working together and cultivating the good ideas no matter where they came from.
    There are many players in the game today that have the talent to play great but have no heart for the game - there are many players that have great heart but possess little talent to play. The great players have both the talent and the heart to play and most importantly they have the ability to maintain focus - they are the ones we wait for and those are the ones that make history.                                                                                           I am looking for a candidate that has talent, heart and the ability to maintain focus. Someone that can recognize a problem, find a solution and see that it is handled efficiently.  Someone who can stand up for the principals this country was founded on and not be seduced or swayed by power or money. Someone who puts his country and other Americans before himself.      And when this leader reveals himself I will not be looking at the color of his uniform.  I will not be blinded by the party he represents -  I will be influenced by his accomplishments and his character.
         So I guess the answer to the question I asked myself about what kind of fan am I would be -   I am the kind of fan that appreciates the talent and drive exibited on the field, I am open to becoming a fan of all the great players no matter what team they play for. I guess I am just a fan of the game.
God Bless America & Play Ball!
Words from the Average Amercan -
Amanda Schalau
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

30 Days to a Better America - Starts in A Week

                Our project kicks off in about a week with 30 days to a better America - : ).

We know that our bad habits have developed over time so we are going to address each little bad habit one at a time.  And hopefully develope good ones along the way. The only thing we need from YOU is a commitment to make a mentle note to try. The things we have decided to commit to will work in any neighborhood anywhere in the world so it will also benefit my non-American readers to practice some of what we are preaching. We don't just want a better America - We want a better world - so let's try to spread a bit of positive energy.
                   
                 Step one - Commit yourself to making small changes in your everyday activities that if become a regular habit will change your community foor the better.
  
                 We will be listing the 30 "habits or changes" one by one over the summer - we will list the change and how it helps. Be a part of a good thing!
Thanks
Amanda Schalau

I Was Blind - But Now I See

    Okay - let's face it - people are tired of hearing about how bad th economy is - most of us, myself included, would rather tweet something silly or settle in infront of the TV and watch a good game. Fortunately for you I have decided to keep my blogs brief and to the point.  Today we are going to talk about recent job creation and what this means to the average American.
     On April 19th 62,000 people were hired in one day - doesn't that sound great!  Oh yeah - they were hired by McDonalds.  Oh - did I mention around 940,000 other people who lined up for those jobs were turned away? I worked at McDonald's when I was 17 and got the job immediately - now they are turning educated skilled workers away.  It's crazy out there.  Okay back to my point - what does this mean to you?
      It means that these 62,000 people and over 940,000 others that were turned away are settling on jobs that will reduce their incomes - the average was something like $45,000 a year going to around $21,000.
     People are having to settle for service jobs like fast food because all our manufacturing is being done over seas  The jobs being created - are very high end or very low end - ther is no middle - no middle means no middle class.
    I am beginning to wonder if those union types were a necessity so that the middle class would have a voice. Who is looking after our Americans right now?  I tell you I am spending day and night reading about all the coruption that has gone on for years with low down dirty deals that have stabbed America in the back.  And I for one am tired of seeing the people suffer. I was blind to all this and was living with my head in the cloud for years - knowing that the good people in Washington would do the right thing for our country - Well I have been a fool.  
    I do not blame anyone for being oblivious to this - I am admitting that I am at fault, too.  But I know now - and what started out as my daughter's project has lit a fire in my heart for my country and my fellow Americans. I know that if educated to the misdeeds against our working Americans - the American people will unite and make a stand to stop the disappearance of our way of life.
    I have a plan - I need a voice - I will not tire of defending this cause until my dying breath.  I see people suffer - scared that they will not be able to care for their children, people humiliated by being forced into jobs that they are over qualified for.  These people are working HARD to survive - they are tired - beat down -and they need someone to stand up for them. Someone who cares and sees them as people - not votes.
God Bless anyone who reads this - I mean that - and God bless anyone that helps spread this along - I will not fail in my mission to support the middle and lower class in this country - the people that seemed to be forgotten in all this - the people who are being left to figure things out themselves. Abandoned for the almighty dollar being sent overseas  -   The American people need to know that there is hope - I was blind but now I see - and what I see isn't pretty - but it can be fixed.
Friday the 13th  afternoon rant
Amanda Schalau
Average American

Burning the Flag is Like Dishonoring a Grave

  This is for all you bra burning, tree hugging, bike riding, flag burning, self absorbed holier than thou peace loving hippie types. I consider myself open-minded and can look at any situation objectively. I use my BRAIN when a situation arises. It is okay whatever your political views are to be angered - if someone tried to burn a flag during all the 9/11 aftermath - then that guy would be hated as much as Bin Laden - think about it.
     
   If we let someone burn our Flag - a symbol for the blood shed for our freedoms, Our Flag that our forefathers died for.  Something that represents the greatest sacrifices ever made for us - What next?

   These attention seeking radicals are doing nothing more than trying to garnish the attention of a wounded nation. A nation that has been brought to her kness by the economy thanks to Washington continuing to sell her off piece by piece - Hell - sometimes the only thing I have left as a symbol to look up to is Old Glory herself - and even most of our Flags say made in China.
   I have a unique perspective on flags and what they symbolize because my husband, who past away, His grandfather was Gov Heard of the great state of Louisiana - and he choose our flag. It features a Brown pelican with her baby pelicans lined up in her nest. And do you know why he choose this bird to represent our state? It is because the brown pelican is one of the only animals that will literally tear off it's own flesh to feed it's young to keep them from starving. It is a promise to it's state citizens that Louisiana will take care of her own at all cost.
  Old Glory = the red, white, and blue  Red = Hardiness and VALOR, bravery - Blood shed to protect our freedom  White= purity, peace, honesty, and innocence   Blue= Vigilance and perserverance
   I was told today - get over it - it is just a flag - not a human life - it's their right
  When I see someone burn a flag - it represents hundreds of thousands of lives that gave themselves for my freedom - I do not see how burning a flag is any different than allowing those people to stroll up into Arlington National Cemetery and taking a dump on the graves of our fallen soldiers. (By the way - my grandfather is buried there as well as my grandmother - He was a war hero - helped seperate the Army from the Airforce - was a POW - and worked in the White House for a bit.  He died from visiting a polio camp set up after the war to help comfort the sick. He was a GOOD man)
    The lack of RESPECT shown these days towards our history is exactly why our country is beginning to falter.
Freedom of speech goes both ways so watch out  -  I am open and I listen and want people to express themselves - but if you want to express your freedom - become a nudist - it's less offensive to have to stare at your hairy a$$ than it is to see you burn MY country's flag.
PS  All countries should take pride in their history and culture and not tolerate such irreverent behavoir -
Build the world up - do not tear it down
My Wednesday night rant - Amanda Schalau

Flag Burners Beware -

The link below is of a guy who tried to burn the American Flag on the LSU campus - Yes he had the right to assemble - but the ones who stopped him had the right to assemble too - I for one am tired of these stupid protest - tha flag represents his freedom so why would he burn it ? - get the HELL out of the country if you hate it so much.     If you need that much attention then go get therapy - get a grip

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUb_qvHX_wc&feature=player_embedded

People need to think how their actions really make them look stupid - remember 9/11 - it's just not popular to burn flags anyone. Go hug a tree or something useful.  Or find a new crack dealer because whatever you are smoking is making you stupid

An American Hero - Real News

An American Hero -

You're a 19 year old kid  
You're critically wounded and dying in
the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam .
It's November 11, 1967.  LZ (landing zone) X-ray.
Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so  intense from 100 yards away, that  your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming  in.
You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out.
Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again.
As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
Then - over the machine gun noise - you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter.
You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.
Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.
He's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway.  
Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway.


And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board.
Then he  flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety.
And, he kept coming back!! 13 more  times!! Until all  the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.
He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.

Medal  of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force, died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise , Idaho
  May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

I bet you didn't hear about this hero's passing,  but we've sure seen a whole bunch  about Lindsay Lohan, Tiger Woods and the bickering of congress over Health Reform.
Medal of Honor Winner Captain Ed Freeman

Shame on the American media !!!

Now... YOU pass this along to YOUR
mailing list. Honor this real American. 
Please.    

Repect the generations that built America and don't throw what they gave us away

Amanda Scahau


 

America is Our Mother and She Needs Us

   Someone remarked to me that the jobs we send overseas helps with the development of third world countries - Do people seriously believe that? How does it help a 3rd world country to have it's citizens work in sweat shops for next to nothing pay and produce a bunch of substandard T-shirts that say The Gap or some knock off Prada purse? Shouldn't those countries be encouraged to develope their own culture to offer the world.  All these big businesses are doing is suffocating these countries and making it impossible for them to rise up and shine on their own. I care about the world as well as the USA - and I do not want it to become one big outlet mall.
  Besides that - I don't know what towers these people are living in - but the USA needs some development of it's own. How are we expected to continue supporting the world and all these causes if we are not strong at home. Why is it so hard to open people's eyes to the problems right in front of their faces here in America - but these same people are quick to throw the third world countries in your face as they drive off in their BMW's filled with foreign gas.
  Here's a thought - let's say we get attacked, nuked, or whatever - and go to war - Could we stand alone? How dependant are we on the rest of the world for our needs?  Could we feed ourselves? Could we manufacture what we needed to go to war? Could we support our military? Could we even defend ourselves?  The answer is NO   the only way out of this mess is to rebuild American manufacturing NOW - bring the jobs back home - quit giving oil contracts to foreign countries so they can rebuild when we need it just as bad at HOME - before we are so quick to help the rest of the world we need to take care of ourselves.
   Being a mother - after my husband passed -  after starving myself for weeks - I was told "You Have To Take Care of Yourself if You Expect to Take Care of Your Children - Your Children Need You" 
      America is OUR Mother and we are her Children and she needs to be strong and healthy if we expect her to take care of us as well as the rest of the world.
Monday morning Rant -
Amanda Schalau

Shop Local - Does NOT mean Wal-mart

          Recently I have spent most of my time blogging the benefits of buying American made products - today I am going to spend a little time on something that is just as important to your local communities - Shopping LOCAL.  When I use the term "shop local" I am not talking about running down to your local Wal-mart and do your shopping.  When I say "shop local" - I am talking about the individually owned shops around your town. How will this little bit of time and effort on your part benefit you and your community? - Well it starts by keeping more of your spending dollars in your immediate communities. More $$$ in town means more jobs in town right?
         With Mother's Day upon us - I am truly disturbed by all the 1-800 numbers being advertised all over the internet and the television to order good old mom her spring bouquet. - When a person picks up the phone or goes online to order their flowers - they are a middle man taking a cut of the money and having your local florist doing the work and getting paid less. Why not just call your local florist directly and get a custom arrangement unlike all the 1,000s of ones being ordered by a picture online.  Shouldn't your local florist get to know you and what your budget and tastes are like? Wouldn't it be nice to have  relationship with someone in town who is there for you for special occasions?
         I have always used a local florist - always.  When I had my children - they sent me a stuffed animal to say congrats - when Christmas came around I was surprised with a card and a poinsettia - when my husband passed - they were there to hold my hand and the flowers were as special as anything you could imagine.
       Knowing that hundreds of thousands of people out there are missing out on a relationship like that saddens me.
      The average consumer is lost when it comes to communicating their needs with these hard working individually owned businesses - they are used to buying chain store prewrapped gifts that they forget that they call call these locally owned shops and get better gifts and service for the same price. And the gift means more when it doesn't have a Wal-mart sticker on the shrink wrap.
        Beauty shops are especially good at putting together special gifts and most offer gift certificates - also keeping money in your community. Also tell your local beauty shop what hair spray you use - or how much you want to spend on beauty products and let them fill your needs instead of the big box chains that are sending you money out of town.  These people will accomidate your needs - they want to - and your local community will thrive. 
      So to sum it up - using your local businesses - keeps money in your community, creates new jobs, better customer service, spices things up with unique products and added diversity, keeps character downtown with local storefronts, and the most valuable thing that cannot be bought - YOU will be bringing you community closer together as well as making friends that you can invite to your annual Christmas party - instead of emailing thanks yous to all those online stores.  
       By the way - when is the last time you got a invitation to a get together from Wal-mart or 1-800-Flowers?  I must have missed mine - (never)

Spelled Out Again in Black and White

Someone else thinks like me !!!  I am not alone!!!!

Did y’all see  Diane Sawyer's special report. They removed ALL items from a typical, middle class family's home that were not made in the USA .   There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they are going to show truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything and will be talking about how to find these items and the difference in price etc..   It was interesting that Diane said that if every American spent just $64 more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs! I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART and ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA ’ FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA ' I WAS SHOCKED SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF. Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think while the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets? 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA !! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.   The point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own. THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on May 1st and continue it until June 1st. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they might have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it. Remember, May 1 thru June 1!!!!!! START NOW. Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted. If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET! Pass it on, America .

An American Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep... one less terrorist this world does keep. With all my heart I give my thanks... to those in uniform regardless of ranks... You serve our country and serve it well... with humble hearts your stories tell... So as I rest my weary eyes...while freedom rings our flag still flies... you give your all, do what you must...with God we live and in God we trust.... Amen!!
Author Unknown

What THEY Want You to Believe

       I know that I have been focusing most of my blogs about manufacturing jobs being lost to overseas, but people need to understand it's no longer only manufacturing jobs that are moving overseas. Technology today has made it easier for most all  types of jobs to be located almost anywhere. This means that  thousands of software development and call-center jobs that used to be located in the USA  have outsourced their business overseas. So our service based economy is suffering and beginning to collapse.                                  Many economists would have us believe that globalization benefits Americans by lowering prices on goods and services.  You can pretty much get an everyday low price on anything these days at your local super centers that make it impossible for the local small businesses to compete. The economists say that this allows these BIG businesses to use the money they save from outsourcing to create other higher-skilled, better-paying jobs in the United States. But if they are outsourcing the manufacturing and NOW outsourcing the service parts of their companies - HOW exactly are we benefiting again? ;In the same breath, they say, 'the countries gaining jobs benefit from stronger economic growth and greater stability'.  So isn't that the answer to our country's problems right now?
    If the answer to a stronger economy and more stability lies in having more jobs - manufacturing and service oriented alike - then why again do we allow things to get outsourced overseas?  If we have no jobs how are we going to buy all these discounted goods from overseas? If we had jobs - couldn't we just pay a few cents more for the American made products?  
     And why did we pass the Buy American Act if BIG companies get to apply for waivers and not follow it at all.  Obama said last year in Feb or May I believe that we had to increase our exports to balance the import/export trade - Why can't we just start making our own things here in the USA?
    The answer is so obvious - the security and economic health of our country depends on us demanding American made products - and our government needs to make it easier for this to happen. But we have got to do our part too - BUY American - from a local business - keep your money in your local community.
That was your Wednesday Rant
I have a plan - stay tuned!
Sincerely, Amanda Schalau

United We Stand, Divided We Fall - America Needs You

    I love my country and feel blessed to have been born here. After Bin Laden was killed we wittnessed how the whole country could come together and celebrate as one. We were united - all together. I was reminded of the days that followed 9/11 and how everyone was ready to defend eachother against these outside forces that threatened our way of life.  The sense of pride that we feel for our country, The United States of America, can be so overwhelming at times it can bring tears into the eyes of out most harden soldiers.
    The outside forces, that dared to threaten our way of life,  we relentlessly hunted for ten years - with no thought of how much it would cost or what sacrifices had to be made. It had to be done - to defend our Lady Liberty.
    Our beloved country and our precious way of life is being threathened again but now in a more subtle way. We are being torn apart, piece by piece and this time the government cannot send troops over to do our fighting for us.  We as Americans have got to recognize the real problem with the economy, we need to understand that with a weak economy there will be less troops to be called upon in our time of need. We have got to take charge of our lives again and bring wealth and jobs back to the United States. We have got to make a deliberate effort in our choices of all products offered to us and choose Made in America first.
  I have a dream that storefronts reopen, that schools will be able to pay teachers their worth, that all our children can afford to go to college. I have a dream that crime is reduced, home values go up and neighborhoods are revived. I have a dream that I can make all the American people - no matter what their political preference - understand the power that they possess when they stand united.
Spread the word - Love your country and it will love you back - Choose American Made
God Bless America
Amanda Schalau

My Most Important Message To Date

       Someone said to me - "Our country has it's up and downs, we will bounce back, we always do" and that got me to thinking.  Times are different now - people cannot really believe that this is a passing phase and everything will be fine in a couple of years after we get a new crop of politicians in office.
      If you look back at all the times when the USA was suffering from a failing economy - people have to see that we were a different country then - a different group of citizens with different skillsets.  The 1920's and 30's for instance - people farmed back then. When the economy  took a turn for the worse - people still could eat and survive. 
      Our country started out as an agricultural oriented country, then it moved to a manufacturing oriented country, and now we sit at being a service oriented country. And those service jobs are being outsourced overseas because it is cheaper to do business that way.
     America sits now with no real manufacturing base to fall back on. The reason behind that would be the trade deficit - put in plain terms - EVERYTIME WE IMPORT IN GOODS - WE EXPORT JOBS OUT.  We bring in alot more than we send out (unless you are talking about $$$).
     The way I see it is that either we as a people bond together and start buy American products only - or get ready to plow the fields because we middle and lower class citizens are on our way to growing our on personal food. The government will not be able to keep us all on food stamps and if they do not change the way they handle the import export trade - they may have a revolution on their hands.
    We have got to spread the word to everyone the importance of buying American made products before we fall so far back that we are unable to recover.
     Remember the average American is the one who counts and the ones making our choices have no idea what it is like to be an average American.  The policies that have been put into place make things harder to operate businesses in our own country - and have made it easier for foreign countries to get their goods in here at lower costs. 
      Unemployment to the ones making the laws is just a number - to the middle and lower class - it means whether or not the kids are going to eat,  it also means whether or not the other desperate unemployed citizens are going to turn to crime to survive.
    The only ones who can stop the downward spiral is us. We have to care about our futures and not be drawn in by lower priced foreign items and begin demanding all our necessities be met with American products.  They have made it to where I cannot survive in this world without being forced to use something that is made overseas or deal with an operator that is based in India.
That was your Tuesday morning rant - I think I am on day 14 - it's all running together now
I am still working hard on organizing this "movement" or "cause" or whatever you want to call it - It started as a summer project for Lauren - but it is taking a life of it's own.
Please keep up with this blog - follow us and be ready to take action with us. All we are asking is that you help draw the line and say NO to throwing away our country's wealth so that we can bring back the JOBS and support our own people first.

Always Sincere - Amanda Schalau
ALocalWay@aol.com

Short and to the Point - Common Sense Again

John Smith started the day early,
having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 am.
 
While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, 
he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG),
and put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA),  
designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and  
tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).  
 
After cooking his breakfast in his new
electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA),  
he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO),
to see how much he could spend today. 
 
After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN)  
to the radio (MADE IN INDIA),
he got in his car (MADE IN JAPAN),
filled it with GAS (from SAUDIA ARABIA)
to continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
 
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day  
checking his Computer (made in MALAYSIA),  
John decided to relax for a while.  
 
He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL),  
poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE)
and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), 
 
and then wondered why he can't find 
a good paying job in AMERICA.  

http://www.w3f.com/patriots/

Where is Our American Pride When it Counts?

     After the news of Bin Laden being killed last night and hearing of the location as to where they found him, I became even more frustrated with all the "deals" oyr government has made with foreign countries. We have given billions of dollars to Pakistan and they were harboring America's most wanted terrorist.  I understand the need to help less advantaged countries - but at this point in the game  America is becoming less advantaged. We cannot wait for Washington to fix these problems - we have to stand united - like they did last night as we all celebrated the passing of a cruel heartless killer that was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. WE all need to stand up for ourselves now and do the only thing possible to bring jobs back over here.
          It sickens me to think of how the money could have been put to better use.
The United States is also investing $100 million to expand access to credit for small and medium-sized businesses, and provide $50 million to support investments in innovation and technology projects. According to thsi news article - http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/19/clinton-unveils-major-aid-package-to-pakistan/  - it's because of things like this that I honestly think that the only way this country is going to pull itself back up is going to be on the backs of middle class Americans. We have to stop pointing the finger of blame at all these politicians and start taking care of ourselves.
  The only WAy to Help Your Local Community is :
1 Shop local - meaning shop at a locally owned business - seek out stores owned by individuals in your community
2 Buy only American made products - if demand for American made products go up - then there is a demand for American Manufacturing again
3. American manufacturing means more jobs here and less money going overseas
4. If there are more Americans employed then there is less stress on the welfare system, less crime, less depression
    Think about how every purchase you make - part of your money is going overseas and we are not getting it back. NO ONE is giving us aid and offering to rebuild our communities. We can't even get a break on gas prices. Our homes are worth less - our jobs are disappearing - our teachers are having to work extra jobs to make ends meet. It costs so much to go to college that if our children go they will be in debt with student loans for years to come. Our store fronts are closing down - we are all becoming walmart and amazon zombies -   Even the companies in the USA that are still making products here but owned by foreign investors are syphoning off Americas wealth in a less obvious way. 
     There is a plant closed down 60 miles from me because they cannot continue to work because the pieces they need to assemble all come from Japan - and NO ONE in the US makes it anymore - so hundreds are waiting to work until someone figures out that mess.  My point is that America needs to be able to stand on it's own - especially if the rest of the world continues to look to us for humanitarian reasons. 
     I realize I sound like a broken record at this point but I actually have a plan - and I intend to follow through with it and pray that it helps. The challenge once again is that this is a $0 campaign and I am doing all the work myself so it's going to be tough getting this ball rolling.
     How far can we get without big corporate dollars or support of any political or religious organization?  Can we get the American public to bond together like last night and do the economically healthy thing for our country?  Why has it gotten so difficult to try to do the right thing?  Why are there always people telling you that people do not care and that American products are junky?  Where is our American Pride when it counts?    
     As Always - another soap box rant by:  Amanda Schalau
Have a great day  and Thank you to our US Armed Forces - you are providing the freedom we need to make the choice to Buy Made in the USA - : )
   

Confused for now

So I started this blog about 11 or 12 days ago - and I never figured out exactly how to publish it or whatever - I am such a goof when it comes to computers and such. I have spent the last few hours trying to set up stuff that I do not understand - the obvious solution at this point is to go ask the teenagers how to do it.  I mean URL addresses and all that jazz - redirecting feeds and such - and then pings out the wahoo - All these different names of places that do it - then they want keywords?  and do you set it up everytime you post? Ugh  I just want to write and press one button - I am spreading a message - not trying to sell stuff so why would I need a backlink - right?  I picked a bad weekend to stop caffiene - any help out there would be appreciated - but also might confuse me - lol
As Always very Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Will be back on the job blogging when this is sorted out - : )

Live, Laugh and Learn for a Better Economy : )

As I start the new week - I realize that I my focus had been disrupted last week by opinions from others who pretty much just like to hear themselves speak. Or I admit I could have put myself in a bad position to get smacked around a bit because I have a terrible sense of humor. I can find humor in just about anything - and it does make life more bearable with all the injustice in the world today. But I do understand that some people out there take their convictions so seriously that my joking around really light a fire under them. God help them because I plan to be blogging all summer and I really don't know if I can control my tongue!;) Enough about me - the next few blogs will be about our cause and shopping local supporting local communities and trying to get the US economy back on track for our children. I am sure that politics will play a part in this, but I am more interested in people like me being educated about what they can do other than voting for the right guy and then sitting back in their lazy-boy waiting for things to get better. Our goal is to reach the people - even people who are not online reading blogs - and let's face it - people do not get online to read blogs like this - they get online to be entertained with clever quips or YouTube videos of cute animals . That reminds me - I need to find a cute animal for our cause - then maybe we will reach more people - or maybe I will film the kids on skateboards - someone is bound to get hurt and that always seems to be a big hit for followers - lol. That was a joke so no one needs to call social services on me. Have a great day - this week we will focus on what we can do to start helping now. Sincerely, Amanda Schalau - the average American living check to check like most everyone else