For the most part I am very glad to have a variety of items available in different quality and price ranges.I still think twinkies should be banned. I have other problems with material things but getting ethno-moralist-patriot about it dosen’t make any sense… for a variety of reasons I’d rather not elaborate on.There are a few posts here that do this idea fair justice already.

I love the idea that “you get what you pay for” and love the availabiltiy of cheap versions of products under many circumstances. It makes my American life… and that of other Americans… and illegal aliens, better. When I wonder, if overall our standard of living isn’t going down and consider that is, or might be, I don’t have a problem with that either. Maybe it will be good for someone else.

What does bother me is when I want a good product and it is not readily available from any country. Unfortunately this could be a result of competition from cheap knock offs. Catch-22 I guess.

I love that American made vehicles lose so much resale value even if they are only slightly used. Yes, my second hand F-250 is a POS but it has provided the best comprehensive value extraction I could find.