An Amish family moved down the road from my folks in 1992. I was in college at the time. Since then, three of their children have built houses in the neighborhood, and several other families have settled in the general area. So, I am acquainted with several Amish people, and know the local family quite well.

I'll also add the caveat that Amish people depend on English people (that is their name for all non-Amish Americans) for lots of things, including medical technology, roads, long distance transportation, and yes, our banks. I've heard that some Amish communities are self financed, that is, all borrowing is within the community. But, my sense is that most Amish communities, and at least the one closest to my home, borrow money from the bank just like you and I do. And, this recent credit crunch has also shown that some Amish over extend themselves just like the rest of us.

But, for the most part, Amish people are very self reliant. With the exception of their shoes, and male Sunday hats, pretty much everything they wear is made at home. A lot of what they eat is raised at home either in the barn, in the garden, or shot in the woods. Yes, you do see Amish shopping at the local grocery stores, but they aren't buying Doritos. A substantial part of their commerce is done within the community. They buy buggies, tarps, shoes, tools, building materials, cloth, and other necessities from Amish vendors. You do see them shopping at Wal Mart, but they're not buying a flat screen TV. My guess is that most Amish men who work away from home make somewhere in the 25K per year range, and manage, with their wives who make nothing away from the home, to care for, clothe and feed 6-12 children. They live cheap.

There is a "buy local" and "eat local" movement among some in our society. But, most of us don't live up to it. And, I'm certainly not suggesting that everyone make their own clothes, and grow and can 80% of what we eat, and, I really like my car, electricity and indoor plumbing. But, it seems that if more of us tried to be a bit more self-reliant, a bit closer to home on mores stuff, and a bit more neighborly, we'd be a bit better off.