Made in China
by Glenn R. Jackson
The President has strongly urged all Americans to get back to the business of America. He, among others, has urged us all to demonstrate that we are not intimidated and that we will continue to conduct business as usual. In particular we are urged to stimulate the U.S. economy by spending money and buying things.
Yes the economy is in deep trouble. The airline and travel industries are heavily affected and are laying off tens of thousands of employees. And of course they are not alone, with the technology sector still reeling. Uncertainty of this magnitude makes all of us nervous and very cautious with our money. So let us in the interest of wise financial decisions and in our renewed national pride for America first, think through this directive to buy our way to a better U.S. economy.
The most important thing we can do is to buy American made products. This is a simple truth and we can see the antithesis of that truth in the plight of the U.S. air carriers. The ripple effects of Americans not flying affect a multitude of those in related industries.
The great truth must be if we buy any product manufactured or grown in the U.S. we will cause an ensuing beneficial ripple effect. The U.S. manufacturer or grower will benefit, the product’s U.S. distributor will benefit, and so will the U.S. wholesaler and retailer.
Buy “Made in the USA” to maximize your effect on the U.S. economy.
Great idea, now try to do it.
Harder than it looks and, of course, is the real point of this article.
In our reaction to September 11th Americans snapped up every U.S. flag in sight. In my own case even buying red, white, and blue ribbon meant multiple stops to find enough of each to make several reasonable displays of the red, white, and blue.
Demand was high for the flag and the red, white, and blue, but supply was low. The reaction? Of course the factories kicked into high gear and people worked overtime to make more flags…in China.
That’s right, U.S. flags made in China. And of course that is not all that China makes for U.S. corporations. The Chinese run a 50 billion dollar trade surplus with the U.S. However manufacturing for U.S. consumption is not the end of the Chinese story.
China also runs a good business in supplying U.S. technology begged, borrowed, or stolen to regimes in IRAQ, IRAN, AFGANISTAN, NORTH KOREA, LIBYA, and others, a veritable who’s who of rogue nations, terrorist sponsors, and enemies of the U.S.
China is far from being the strategic partner of the Clinton administration, or the preferred trading partner that the U.S. Congress and the American business elites believe. China is only a source of cheap labor benefiting the bottom line of some shortsighted corporations. Beyond that China seeks the downfall of this country as much as any Islamic terrorist.
As quoted in Bill Gertz’s book “The China Threat” Chinese author He Xing expresses this view:
“China must pay close attention to those countries that are opposed to American interests, or are potential strategic enemies. It must be borne in mind that the enemies of enemies are one’s own allies…Know this: the more the United States encounters trouble in other places in the world, the more difficult it is for it to concentrate power on dealing with China and the greater opportunities for China’s existence and development.”
No one should mistake China’s intentions. No one should doubt where Chinese favor has flowed in the lead up to this current war. Think carefully before you decide China is not in some way complicit in the September 11th attack.
While we fight one set of enemies let us not forget ever again that the world is a dangerous place. Whether by foreign policy overreach, or equally likely, because of the liberty and freedom we represent to the world, we have enemies. It is the height of folly to aid and abet those who would destroy you.
We have learned a terrible and hard lesson from the attacks of September 11th; the world does not automatically share our values. Without vigilance and without a careful and diligent respect for America and for her people we leave the door open to great harm.
America comes first. Our countrymen come first. The values that made this country a light to the world come first.
So, as we fly our flag, as we pray and support our fellow citizens in uniform, let us also support each other. And remember that we are Americans first, last and always. Support your country, support your President, and always support America first.
Glenn R. Jackson