Jesicha,
I'd just like to point out a few things [for your and other's consideration]:
1) Even the animals, that all produce their OWN vitamin C, i.e. ingest no exogenous vitamin C, EXCRETE vitamin C in their urine, i.e. just the fact that they are excreting it doesn't mean they did not get any "good" from it.
2) If "you take 1000mg and absorb half of it" you are USING [at least] 500mg [vs. the NONE that you implied].
3) What difference does it make WHERE a product is produced? If the product is powder/crystals, it will be 100% vitamin C. If tablets, it will require a filler to tabletize it, and the label will tell ALL of the ingredients. ALL vitamins sold in the USA, regardless of their country of origin, are subject to FDA and/or USDA approval. If a person has [even more] concerns about its purity, they can always purchase only vitamins that are United States Pharmacopeia, i.e. USP, Certified [as an example].
4) What difference does it make what SOURCE the ascorbate came from? As an example, the astronauts all drink water derived from their own, and their fellow astronaut's, URINE. The water molecule, i.e. H2O, is the water molecule, regardless of its source.
5) I agree that liposomal vitamin C is [probably] many times more absorbable than typical powdered or tabletized vitamin C, but it costs THIRTY to FORTY times as much! That kind of "mark-up" is typically a financial consideration for most people. Also, if you are ingesting significant quantities of ascorbate daily [as I do, and have for the last 19 years], getting your vitamin C in liposomal form means ingesting a significant amount of FAT. And, as an aside, their is considerable debate as to whether "homemade" liposomal vitamin C is actually a true liposomal product, i.e. vs. just an emulsification.
Just some thoughts as "grist for your mill."
Respectfully,
David