Like columnist Walter Backstrom (Oct. 16), I, too, am a proud American, trying to do what I can to boost the economy.

Me buy a foreign car like a Toyota or Honda? Not a chance, even though they’re probably built in this country. I’ve got a good ol’ American-as-apple-pie Chevy truck (made in Canada) and a Chrysler mini-van (made in Mexico with room for a Fiat in the back).

I fly an American flag (made in China). I check the time on my watch, branded by camping-equipment-maker Coleman (but made in Japan). I relax by putting on a CD of good old American big band music, updated by The Spitfire Band (Canadian.) (Thanks,also, Canada, for Pam Anderson.)

Doing what I can for the entire world economy. That’s my excuse.

Don Riggs, Bellevue