Let's not forget importance of buying American
My grandfather was a chaplain in World War II. I wear the cross that was on his uniform that he wore proudly in the German Theater. He was funny, strong, humble, intelligent, and a believer in a positive God. He had two sons and a daughter and raised them correctly. One of his sons was my father, Dwight Ensor, who raised me the same way. I have two daughters and I plan to raise my beautiful daughters the same way my grandfather and my father raised their families.
The World War II generation is the single greatest generation that this country has ever seen. Their stories are widely told and their sense of duty, pride, and commitment to the United States is "known." Their influence and parenting created the baby boomer generation. The oomers lived how they wanted, fought the system, and said no to war and hello to individualism. They are currently running this country and are a generation that created successful businesses, brought in good music and invented a word called liberalism. This baby boomer generation created another generation that is in high schools today, the second greatest generation ever seen in this country, the "X generation."
The X generation grew up with one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century. President Ronald Reagan and his wife taught the X generation to stay away from drugs, to love the United States and study hard.
Another thing I remember from Reagan was that our sense of duty and allegiance was to the United States, even in terms of consumerism. Reagan left the impression that if we walk into a store or walk onto a car lot we ought to be planning on buying an American product or an American car. "Buy American" was the U.S. marketing slogan in the 1980s.
I have been buying American every since I have had a job. I only buy American cars and try to only buy American products (which is very tough due to our government's inability to keep an even playing field with China). President Obama had a chance to bring this important slogan back to this country by developing the Cash for Clunkers program. However, people were just turning in their old Toyotas for new Toyotas. Is this country that stupid?
Do you feel that the Japanese actually make a better car than U.S. car manufacturers? I would rather have a Ford Fusion or a Saturn Aura than a Japanese Camry or Accord. I would rather buy a Chevy Tahoe than a Toyota Landcruiser or drive a Ford 150 or a Chevy Silverado than a Toyota Tundra. I would also rather drive a Cadillac STS/CTS over a BMW or Mercedes.
Wake up, Bakersfield and Buy American. Our car industry is struggling because our government can't say, "Hey, we are in a recession." If Nancy Pelosi, or Barbara Boxer, or President Obama will not say it, I will. Buy American, please. Especially you, Bakersfieldians.
Bakersfield's John C. Ensor, MBA, is an account manager for Accu-Chek. He is the proud owner of a Saturn Aura XE 3.5L.
