Buying from Equals

I like to buy things that are made in the USA. When that's not possible, I favor things made in countries where I understand the laws or society, such as members of the EU or Japan.

When this comes up in conversation, I hear rhetorical questions like:

• Shouldn't the free market decide what the best product is?
• Why would you buy inferior goods for higher prices?
• Don't you help people out of poverty by buying from developing nations?

I won't argue with these points. But here's my outlook:

I want to buy things made by people who have the same rights and freedoms that I do.

Simple as that. There isn't social equality in the global economy and that's the problem. I don't know who I'm endorsing when I buy goods from all across the world. I'd rather support the positive things I understand, like shoes made in Maine.