American made t-shirts purchases are one of the ways we can help our economy. Buying American made products is one of the most important aspects to supporting the U.S. economy, instead of supporting foreign companies that treat their workers poorly. There are many companies located in the United States that are beginning to manufacture t-shirts made from all natural products in keeping with going ‘green’. The purchase of t-shirts and clothing made in other countries is also an issue now with ’sweatshops’ being used for cheap labor. Purchasing USA made clothing offers many benefits over purchasing imported items.

Buying USA made t-shirts is one way to be sure you are helping the economy and not supporting sweatshop bosses. Countries overseas that are paying workers very little, denying them the basic rights of humane treatment and seeking reprisal for those who do not conform are not something that should be supported.

Many shoppers don’t realize where an item is made when they purchase it. If they knew what was really behind the manufacture of the clothing they may change their minds about buying these items.

American made t-shirts may be found by adhering to several tips that will ensure the clothing you are purchasing is not made in a sweat shop. USA made t-shirts that is manufactured under the Fair Trade system is one identifier. This means the items you are buying are made by workers who are treated fairly. They are paid an honest wage and are guaranteed breaks and sick leave instead of being treated badly. Workers who are in the Fair Trade system are often lower income or poverty stricken people that are trying to earn an honest living through hard work.

American made t-shirts that carry a “UNITE” label is another indication they were not made in sweatshops. When the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees and Hotel and Restaurant Employees International Union merged, they came up with the idea of the label for American consumers benefit. USA made clothing that contain the label are made by the union workers who are treated with the pay and benefits that the union negotiates on their behalf. They have a contract with the company they work for that ensures safe and fair working conditions as well as the wages they are being paid and benefits.

Clothing companies can be researched before you purchase. American made t-shirts made by cooperatives may be another source of t-shirts made from all natural materials. In addition to protecting the environment, it offers support for the low-income employees that are trying hard to feed their families. Co-ops also give some ownership to the workers and other individuals who ensure better working conditions while producing higher quality products than found in imported items. Good quality products are a result of the pride of ownership and the team support that cooperatives provide.

You can check your favorite clothing store to find out whether they have poor labor habits in the products they carry or find out if they carry American made t-shirts. Are the t-shirts you are purchasing American made t-shirts or is your favorite store using sweatshops for the clothing they bring to you? The Responsible Shopper Website is a good source for checking a company’s profile and finding out if any allegations have been made against them involving sweatshop practices during the manufacturing of Union made t-shirts. They will indicate if any accusations made against them regarding working conditions of sweatshops, in the company profile on the website.

If you make sure the clothing you are buying is not made in sweatshops with unfair labor practices, you will also be supporting the companies that practice fair labor standards. We want to look our best in the clothing we purchase, or we wouldn’t have reason to buy it. Emphasis is on wearing name brand clothing and if American made t-shirts have the brand, this is all well and good. But if the brand you like is being made by children who are being mistreated and made to sit for hours without breaks, is wearing that brand worth it? Do some investigative work about the brands you like. Taking a stand regarding unfair labor practices is everybody’s responsibility, and it is also a way to help the U.S. economy, while putting a financial burden on the foreign countries that take advantage of their people.

Buying USA made clothes helps the economy stay healthier and keeps American citizens employed. With the state of the economy today, this is essential. Many people are losing their jobs as retailers cut back. Because corporate America thinks they can make a bigger profit by importing inferior products, they have not had good business practices, when it comes to saving their companies or their employee’s jobs. American made products including American made clothing helps keep Americans working and the economy gets the added boost it needs. The jobs of the American people will be made more secure if the products and the clothing we wear are American products and American made clothing.

The economy will prosper if we stick to buying American made products and American made clothing. Everything in the news lately is the number of jobs being lost. This company is downsizing and laying people off and this company shut their doors altogether. The future of your children and your employees children may depend on a new mindset to save the economy. With the world’s outlook on the almighty dollar today it is no wonder the economy if failing. Because everybody is out to make a fast buck, we are purchasing inferior products that are cheaply made in other countries.

American made clothing is no exception. There are many companies that have clothing with a ‘made in America’ label. If the embellishments were added here, it still qualifies as an American product, even though it was made somewhere else. It takes some research to find out if American made products are totally made in America. Companies must take the responsibility in the products they sell and ensure the quality and workmanship. But how many do you think do this?

There are many people who are refusing to buy products made in other countries because they feel that American made clothing is the answer. They are of the belief that American should take care of their own economy before worrying about the rest of the world. America can be restored to the greatness it once knew, if we return to our previous rankings in the export business. It seems that importing more than we export has become more prevalent.The new ways are not necessarily better, and America was less dependent on foreign countries and foreign countries were more dependent on American made products in past generations.

Taking a stand on products that are made in our country is the first thing we should do. With a focus on using all natural products today, USA made clothing is one of the ways they can make a difference in the use of natural resources. Instead of using import products with lower standards from other countries, America’s natural resources are being used more and more. Instead of using materials imported from other countries, American companies are trying to find new ways to recycle or utilize America’s natural resources.

Cooperatives have been producing quality American made products and giving low-income people a way to support themselves and their families, in the process. They use natural resources found in the U.S. and produce American made clothing in this country. Working conditions, wages, benefits and work environment are some of the things that cooperative members have a say in. All American companies should consider this business model. We should slow down on importing and concentrate on making American made products from the resources we have readily available.

When you look around at all this country has to offer, you may be amazed at the American made products that can be manufactured right here. The economy here has gone downhill and needs the boost that not only American made clothing but other products can provide.

Choosing American made clothing or products is something every American should participate in to help our ailing economy. You should consider what this country has to offer before you make the purchase. If you are one of the people who are concerned with the economy and the way the country is suffering today, the best choice you can make is to support America. How do you do this? American made clothing should be what all consumers steadfastly insist on and other American made products can be innovated to create the demand that the import markets have stolen.

I realize I am probably dating myself just a little… but web based map services like G-Maps or MapQuest just astonish me. Whoever found out how to map any block on the planet in 5 seconds has got to be rich… if not they should be.

Take a look at maps.google.com. Although they got into the map business just a few years ago, they are now the 1,000 lb gorilla when it comes to maps and driving directions.

I have been using G-Maps for a quite awhile. Their technology constantly advance, and alongside with it, the detail of the maps has improved substantially. There are other key web properties that employ geo mapping with great success as well. The big 3 are Google, MapQuest and the granddaddy of them all, Rand McNally.

I will do a quick overview of these three, which with any luck will save you some exploration time when you get to the websites.

I switched to G-Maps after using MapQuest for almost nine years (more about MapQuest below). What changed my loyalty after all those years, was studying the instructions at G-Maps. You know, when all else fails read the instruction?

It is an astonishing bit of technology which will present you with both maps nearly anywhere in the world and detailed driving instructions in many countries.

G-maps is very feature rich and their tutorial does a way better job of teaching than we can. With that in mind, let’s cover the main features, you will find plenty more when you delve into the site.

You can see earth satellite images all over the world and superimpose streets on those satellite images, it’s very cool. All the major map categories are available to view.

You can see people wandering around Marienplatz in Munich or read the home plate logo at Coors field in Denver. In many parts of the world, you can also get point to point driving directions.

Another unique tool of G-Maps is that it lets you to amend the route it has laid out for you, simply by dragging the route marking to a different place. We often know alternate routes, learned by experience that we want to stick to. All other services won’t let you change the path… with G-Maps it’s easy.

Rand McNally has been making maps and road atlases for a long time. Word has it that Fred Flintstone used their atlas. They still favor the printed map or atlas and publish a lot of them. Next time you stop at a large fuel stop check by the register, it’s a safe bet you’ll find Rand McNally maps for sale. Now, having said that, they have outstanding e-maps and driving directions. I find them very effective for comparing routes with Google or MapQuest as a double check kind of thing.

MapQuest has been around since the good old days of the internet… 1996… so by e-standards, it’s very old if not antique. AOL bought it in 2000 and remains in charge.

I have used Mapquest plenty of times and they always deliver. They have great maps for the US, Canada and Europe but are weaker in the rest of the world in their quality and detail. US driving directions are totally detailed and usually quite accurate. In some growth areas they can be a little behind, simply because of trying to stay current with new growth can be difficult.

The last key goodie on MapQuest, is that it will search for the least expensive gas or diesel no matter where you are in the US. It’s a great way to keep an eye on your fuel budget and it only takes 30 seconds.

Between the three of these websites, you should be able to find your way around anywhere on the planet.