American Economy: Shrink to Fit

I watch zero live TV at home. When I do watch, it's super concentrated bursts and mini recaps via Tivo. But when I'm on the road and off the wagon, it's a different story.

I've the propensity for utter couch potato-dom, haplessly watching whole seasons of "NCIS" or streets of "House Hunters" until the weeeee hours of the morning, when I should be sleeping. Tonight, it's the Portland episode of "Kristine Watches Too Much TV."

I've just watched a garment-district-focused HBO documentary that I'd never watch at home. Here's some fascinating, completely random tidbits I gotta share:

* In 1965, 95% of the clothes Americans wore was manufactured domestically.

* By 1975, only 80% was made in America.

* In 1985, those Guess jeans I was dying for were probably manufactured in Chinese or Indian sweat shops, like 50% of the clothes purchased by Americans.

* By 2009, only FIVE PERCENT of the clothing we wear in this country is actually made here.

Do our kids even know the terms "Buy American" or "Look for the Union Label"? Probably not. They're as antiquated as the idea of shopping at Gimbel's, and just as impossible.

A parting shot: The average Bangladeshi seamstress is between 12-14 years old and may be making only $.30 per day. You may be hungry for a great deal on the jeans she's sewn... she's just plain hungry.