r.o.c.k. in the u.s.a.

i have a general question for people: what are your thoughts on subsidies? i'm from a farming state and i believe that a lot of farmers in north dakota receive subsidies, but i dont have much information on it. i know there are issues with sugar subsidies and the whole sugar/corn syrup industry has boomed (and some could argue at the same rate as american's waistlines) because of subsidies and this bothers me. i recently read an article on rum subsidies in peurto rico and the US virgin islands. the article makes me not want to drink rum anymore. i worry about the effects that these large multi-national corporations are having on these small island communities. sure, one could argue that they're providing jobs and improving the economy of these countries. but what happens when the company no longer cares about the local economy? they force governments to give them tax breaks or their employees to take pay cuts so that they will stay in business on the island. the islands have no choice but to comply: they need these rum distilleries for their economy. the whole thing sounds fishy to me. and i've never seen a large mnc give back to the community and care about the little people. why are people like you and me ok with the idea that mnc's will always "do good." their primary focus is on profits and they do that at whatever cost to the economy, their employees, the environment. and americans like you and me, we are not concerned with where our products come from, just that they are cheap (but we use the word "affordable"). i'd rather buy a more expensive pair of sneakers that was made with quality in the US than a pair of shoes from a company that spends millions in advertising (part of which goes to pay a womanizing, infidel man who happens to be excellent at golf, but not necessarily a good person) so that their "brand" and "name" are worth more. when i was in junior high, i had a cloth bag that said "American M.A.D.E - Making A Difference Environmentally." at the time, i thought it was important to buy american goods, but then as i got older and saw the different prices of things and started taking business classes, i drifted away from this notion. i read case studies about nike using child labor and i convinced myself that not paying a living wage in far east asia was "ok" because "something" was better than "nothing." but then i listened to this man speak about his crusade to convince nike that they are doing harm to these economies and not helping anyone. you can read more about it here. it made me really upset and sad. and i will never buy another nike anything.

to that extent, when i needed new shoes last fall, i found a pair of sneakers made in the US by new balance. the proceeds from the sale of my shoes went to support breast cancer (the shoes are bright pink and i got them personalized to say "in memory of gma helen" on the tongue for my father's mother who died of breast cancer when she was 35). see picture here:

i was pleased with myself for buying these shoes and just liked the idea behind them, but i was even MORE excited when i read about the shoes:

Congratulations - you now own a pair of shoes that were made or assembled by the New Balance team in one of our five US factories. New Balance proudly relies on our manufacturing associates to produce a quarter of our North American footwear worn by consumers (approx. 7 million pair of shoes) in the US each year. We made our first pair of running shoes in 1938, and hold the distinction as the only company that still manufactures athletic shoes in the US. As a company, we are proud to invest in American workers who provide some of the greatest working spirit, commitment to advancement and ingenuity known in the industrial world. For us, Committed to American Workers is more than a slogan or viewpoint - it is the heart and "sole" of our company.

and even more excited when i got an email from new balance, which reads:

Dear ,

I wanted to follow up regarding your recent purchase from us.
I sincerely hope you are enjoying the comfort and fit of your
New Balance gear.

Understanding you have many choices, we truly appreciate your
business. NB Web Express is committed to earning your loyal
patronage by surpassing your expectations and being open to
suggestions for improvement.

You can contact us directly via email or by calling
1-800-595-9138(Toll Free) with any comments or suggestions.
We welcome your feedback!

how great is that? i realize its a standard email and probably sent automatically from some server, but have you ever gotten that from any other shoe store? and maybe if more people buy their shoes and make comments that its because they were american made, they'll move more production here...

[song by john mellencamp because its good to support america where we rock]