Support our troops after the war, too

The gas station at which I stopped this evening had a stack of small magnetic American flags and ribbons, designed to adhere to a car or refrigerator, each one with the patriotic message "Support our troops" emblazoned across the top.

The wrappers, however, discreetly disclosed that the flags were made in China.

I favor free trade as it moves the world toward Pareto-optimality, but it seems to me that we would be supporting our troops more effectively if we bought our trinkets of public patriotism that were made in the United States, by companies that might be providing jobs to the veterans when they return home.