Ever since I was a teen over 20 years ago, I found it to be a sense of pride, buying American-made products. Now it's also economic reasoning for me. I'd rather give my money to American companies that employ Americans. The more money that stays in the U.S., gets spent in the U.S., generating more tax dollars. If I buy a foreign made product, I get a product (say a flashlight for instance), and a foreign company gets my money. The flashlight will eventually wear out, break, become obsolete, or whatever, and the money I spent is profit for a foreign company. That foreign company is competition for American companies. Now I know competition can help create better products and lower prices for consumers, but I'd rather help strengthen American companies that employ Americans. There's just no way I feel that buying foreign made products makes our country better, stronger, or more self sufficient. Especially these days with so many Americans being layed off of their jobs, I'd rather do all I can to help my neighbors and fellow countrymen.
When I buy a product, I try not only to think of how much it costs me, but also how much it will cost our country (in the long run). Sure I understand that it's not always possible to find American made products. But in many cases, why is that? Because people were always looking for something cheaper. Well, you may save a few dollars here and there, but what's the real cost of buying a foreign made product if there's a comparable American made one? Closed factories, people being out of work, having to go on unemployment or other government assistance, higher taxes, lower standards of living, and less control of our own destiny in a way.
Maybe if we as Americans supported American companies that manufactured products here on our own soil, those companies wouldn't be compelled by shrinking profits, to outsource manufacturing to other countries, throwing more of us out of work. The more unemployed people there are, the worse it is for everybody. Society suffers.
None of this is meant as offense to citizens of other countries. I think everyone should do their best to support their local manufacturers, and companies in their own countries. So, if you are from Canada, I think you should do your best to buy Canadian made goods whenever possible and practical. Same goes for Austrailia, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, any country.
Take pride in your country and demostrate your faith in it in your every action. Patriotism is not only waving flags and supporting troops, it's much wider than that. But every bit as important.