Why Rench buys American (and doesn't care if you do)

Rench · Post by **Rench** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:02 pm

It came up in another thread that I like to buy American bikes (and, well, everything), and some encouraged me to elaborate. Why Grinder, you may ask? Because this isn't political to me, per se. More like religion or philosophy. I won't link statistics to back up any of my opinions, because they are just my opinions. Furthermore, don't think I look down on people who don't buy American. I have many conservative beliefs, but I'm an Anarchist, and firmly believe you can do whatever you want, I've got no right to tell you.

All disclaimer being above, I've got several reasons.

Family. I was raised by my father. None of you know him, but if you did, I could almost stop here.

I grew up around a multitude of rusting old American cars, mostly GM, and if I didn't spend winter nights laying in a parking lot holding a flashlight for my old man working on rigs sometimes considerably older than me, I wouldn't be me. He'd never buy Japanese, and frequently referred to America as being bombed with Japanese cars. I can't say I have his distaste for them, just his enthusiasm for ours.

Union. (just for you, mtne!) I am a union worker, and behind all the BS and politics, the fundamental principle is that sticking together and "keeping it in the family" will always help. I don't know if any of the many foreign vehicles made here in America are UAW built, but even if they were, wouldn't it be nice if the profits beyond the jobs stayed in the US as well? Which brings me to...

Money. I get it that many foreign vehicles are made right here in America. I understand, or at least grasp the concept of, a global economy. In the next breath though, it just seems right to me to try and keep as much of my hard earned money here rather than send it everywhere else. Hell, two of my 4 American makes are actually assembled in Canada, but that brings me to...

50 cent patriotism. For every 50 cent "remember 9-11" or "support our troops" or American flag sticker on a Toyota, Honda, etc, Ive got a molded in Dodge, Jeep, or Harley logo, and every penny of the vehicle goes to support Americans in some way. I actually don't have any patriotic stickers on most of my rigs. The make says enough for me.

As a final point, I know my Harley has many parts made around the world on her. My neighbors have heard many profanity-laced littanies echoing from my garage about why I need to dig out my metric sockets while working on my Harley. But a month after I took delivery, I took a little ride out to Kansas City, and met some of the men and women who built my very bike. They all got a piece of the MSRP I paid, and they took it home to their families. I know beating you over the head with patriotic imagery is pissing in the wind around here, but I felt good about it.

Now, you can pick this apart bit by bit if you choose, and I can tell you a lot more things I believe that would piss some of you off, but I'm not trying to convince you of shit, just answering a few questions I've been asked.

-Rench

SSCAM · Post by **SSCAM** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:12 pm

It is a shame that your options have to be so limited for you to support your beliefs.

I admire you patriotism.

roadmissile · Post by **roadmissile** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:24 pm

I don't normally feel the impetus towards US made stuff that you do, however after reading that I figure the real shame is that the US doesn't build better bikes.

/RM

motorpsycho67 · Post by **motorpsycho67** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:02 pm

I'm glad that you like to support US made products. I like to to, when it makes sense to me.

Also realize, that money used to buy an HD also supports foreign companies. HD has been using Japanese parts since 1962.

This truly is a global economy, with parts and labor being imported from all over.

It's hard sometimes to know exactly where your dollars are going, but there's a damn good chance a portion of it is going overseas.

I'm all for supporting union labor, but the product has to be something I want.

You can buy a Honda Goldwing or cruiser and be assured you're supporting the Americans that made it, in Marysville Ohio.

Like you Rench, I'm not trying to convince anyone to buy anything other than whatever they want. Just trying to enlighten.

Mainly because a lot of HD riders I've met (worked for HD for 8 years) like to bash Japan, without knowing that a portion of their bike is Japanese. Not saying that's you though.

rc26 · Post by **rc26** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:46 pm

motorpsycho67 wrote:Mainly because a lot of HD riders I've met (worked for HD for 8 years) like to bash Japan, without knowing that a portion of their bike is Japanese.

I have had a few H-D riders give me a hard time because I ride "Jap Crap". 90% of them have a Japanese made automobile in their garages...I remind them that they do.

I recently purchased my 4th. Ford Ranger. In my eyes, domestic made trucks are equal in quality to their Japanese counter parts. So, I'll stick with domestic made vehicles.

guitargeek · Post by **guitargeek** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:57 pm

roadmissile wrote:I don't normally feel the impetus towards US made stuff that you do, however after reading that I figure the real shame is that the US doesn't build better bikes.

/RM

Took the words right out of my mouth.

piccini9 · Post by **piccini9** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:21 pm

All the stuff rench said is why I'm going to save up my monies and spend a whole lot on an Aerostich outfit this fall.
Plus, they make awesome stuff.

roadmissile · Post by **roadmissile** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:18 am

piccini9 wrote:I'm going to save up my monies and spend a whole lot on an Aerostich outfit this fall.

Hi-Viz?

/RM

SomeMook · Post by **SomeMook** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:00 am

Don't you have a Honda scooter?

Sisyphus · Post by **Sisyphus** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:12 am

This is why I buy used. At least I know who's getting the check.

urbanscum · Post by **urbanscum** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:58 am

Dude, it's your money, buy what you like and tell everyone else to mind their own business!!

I have Jap bikes, German bikes, English cars (and that is going some!!) and european cars.

I tend to buy what i like the look of and what lasts and whatever whim I am following that day.

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:03 am

Traded my sporty......own lots of HD stock!!!!!

maybe one day get another, i'm on an I-Tie kick right now....(to TV200's lament)

Buy what you like ,ride what you like at the end of the day you have to be happy.

I still love ya !!!

(even from way the fuck over here)

Moto_Myotis · Post by **Moto_Myotis** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:02 pm

I do still try to buy American and union made items. I know that a few years ago, the UAW put together a consumer list of American/union-made cars, and many were Japanese brands. I know we had some of these floating around the library here somewhere.

I don't make enough money to support my various habits and vices, were I to buy new things, so I tend to buy used, although I really couldn't bring myself to buy a used car made in a non-union shop in the U.S. Working for a union, I don't think I'd be able to live that one down.

piccini9 · Post by **piccini9** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:52 pm

roadmissile wrote:
piccini9 wrote:I'm going to save up my monies and spend a whole lot on an Aerostich outfit this fall.
Hi-Viz?

/RM

Probably.

roadmissile · Post by **roadmissile** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:16 pm

piccini9 wrote:
roadmissile wrote:
piccini9 wrote:I'm going to save up my monies and spend a whole lot on an Aerostich outfit this fall.
Hi-Viz?

/RM
Probably.

If you aren't totally sure you can be seen from space:

/RM

12ci · Post by **12ci** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:06 am

piccini9 wrote:All the stuff rench said is why I'm going to save up my monies and spend a whole lot on an Aerostich outfit this fall.
Plus, they make awesome stuff.

so, keep an eye on their sale list

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Why Rench buys American (and doesn't care if you do)

Why Rench buys American (and doesn't care if you do)