What If We All Really Bought American?

With the U.S. economy heading for the tank, suddenly economists, financial experts, and investors are beginning to realize that without manufacturing, America is not creating new wealth, just churning dollars.  Money tied up in “credit default swaps”, exotic “derivatives”, and sub-prime loans doesn’t do much to advance productivity or technology.  Now with the economic house of cards collapsing, labor’s persistent calls to restore U.S. manufacturing capacity takes on new importance.

Sometimes it takes a bit of detective work to find union made in the USA products, but it’s an effort we need to make.  We need to understand the importance of supporting this country and how we are losing the American and union quality.  There are many products that are now made overseas that are just not made as well as when they were made here, and they end up in our landfills.  The largest producers for the U.S. market have no constraints against pollution, and getting those goods to U.S. shores burns lots more fossil fuel.  Maybe we can’t change the world, but we can decide where we want our dollars to go.

Toxic Milk Spreads Beyond China

It turns out that Chinese authorities turned a blind eye to contaminated products earlier than previously reported.  Parents and health officials were raising alarms in June and July.  Apparently China’s government, not wanting to distract from its Olympic glory, did nothing.  Since then, China’s political and corporate leaders have apologized.  The breakdown in communication is understandable.

News within China is overseen and controlled by the Central Propaganda Department.  Need we say more?

Melamine contamination in milk rapidly spread to additional products globally:  African nations banned imported Chinese dairy products, Taiwan found contaminated Pizza Hut cheese packets, Hong Kong saw Heinz Foods recall baby cereal.  The list goes on, from coffee creamer to candy.  We remember that ingredients in pet food and medications were found to be unsafe last year. 

In October, the U.S. implemented the second phase in a long-awaited country of origin labeling requirement, but it’s characterized as filled with loopholes.  Isn’t it about time for the U.S. to enact a strong and comprehensive country of origin labeling law that will cover more than meat, poultry, and seafood? 

We need to identify the source of all food and medical products sold here and their ingredients.  The extent of global sourcing of ingredients was little known before.  Now we know, and Americans need strong protection – including adequate resources for enforcement.

Respectfully submitted,

Walt Cummings

Union Label/Consumer Affairs Committee

Tom Britten, Shawn Dunneback, Janet Harris, and Diane Visser, Chair