MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN in recent weeks regarding our Rhode Island economy and the national economy. Both look worrisome. Our state now has the nation’s second-highest unemployment rate. We always get hit early in a recession compared with our fellow states, and we come out of a recession later than other states as well.

It’s entertaining to hear our congressional politicians try to explain this economic crisis to the country. They will use whatever political skills they possess to point the blame at anyone but themselves. It is apparent that greed lies at the foundation of our problems. Both politicians and Wall Street financiers are to blame. They all took money and looked the other way, or were just too inept to recognize the dangers in front of them. The system in Washington is broken and real reform is needed. How is it possible that the head of the banking committee, Barney Frank, can take campaign donations from banks? We are being sold out by our own government.

Unlike the tired rhetoric we hear from some of our politicians, I would like to offer some practical advice to help Rhode Island businesses and citizens. It is quite simple — do your business in Rhode Island!

If you own a business in our state, take a good look at who you are buying from. Is it necessary to buy a copy machine from a Massachusetts company or could you spend a little more time and find the same deal locally? What about cleaning supplies, accounting services, legal work, and advertising? Are you sure you can’t find good people or companies here to do the job? I know you can.

Take my industry as an example. I am a broker in the insurance and benefits area. I negotiate the group rates for my business clients in health and dental insurance. I can name 15 to 20 large companies in Rhode Island that use brokers from out of state to represent them. Why would a Rhode Island business use national companies or Massachusetts brokers when they are hurting the Rhode Island economy by doing so?

I moved to Rhode Island about 15 years ago from Massachusetts, and ever since I have noticed this strange attitude here which I have dubbed “The Massachusetts Mystique.” Apparently many business owners, politicians and regular folks think if a company is from Massachusetts, somehow it is better. I’ve noticed this as a state representative. If Massachusetts passes some new bill, we are soon to follow. It must be a good idea — Massachusetts did it!

This attitude is hurting Rhode Island business. Let’s work together as business people and take a serious look at our buying habits and our professional relationships. John McCain has a great campaign slogan — Country First. I propose a Rhode Island business slogan that will help the unemployed get work, help businesses recover more quickly, and help our budget deficit problems — Rhode Island First!

Richard W. Singleton, an independent, is a state representative from Cumberland and a small-business owner. He is not running for re-election and is moving to Bellingham, Mass.