Yea, I said it. Someone has to. Americans always act like they have the best and brightest in the world - but for some reason, too many of us are willing to buy inferior products in the name of "patriotism" (a.k.a. nationalism).  [future post aside: Americans consider themselves patriots, but other people who love their country are "nationalists" (e.g., The Chinese).]

The US Steel industry is begging for government contracts and trying to guilt the American people into buying their products just because they are located in America.  I know times are tough for everyone right now - but "buying American" just because something is produced in America is exactly what we should not do.

Let me make myself clear.  I have nothing against the American worker.  I don't manufacture things for a living, but I am an American worker.  I want our country to prosper, I want our companies to prosper, and I want our people to prosper.  But guilting people into buying inferior products because they are made in America will only take us further down a road of mediocrity and stagnation.

America can only be prosperous in the modern global economy if we can compete globally.  If American steel offers the best value for the dollar, then people should buy it.  If a person can get a better deal somewhere else, they should buy their steel somewhere else.  If people do not act in this rational way, they will overpay or purchase an inferior product - or both.  When firms overpay or buy inferior products, this gives other companies (who rationally purchased the best/cheapest steel) the opportunity to move in, and make a better product for the dollar. If we go down the road of accepting inferior products in the name of patriotism/nationalism, we are only hurting our country in the long run. 

So let's have some courage and pride, America, because this is how we made our country the great place that it is.  Instead of using guilt, a sense of entitlement, patriotism/nationalism, or the fear of short-term unemployment to get people to buy our products - lets just make the best product we can for the best price possible.  In the end, this is the most American thing we can do.