The US Economy Can Not Benefit If the Money is Not Spent Here
Posted By Anthony on November 17, 2009
According to an article I read today in the Columbus Dispatch, the economic stimulus bill facing a Senate vote includes a “Buy American” clause. This clause specifies that all steel used in the bill’s projects must come from American sources.
I applaud Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown for taking a strong stance on this. “It is not a trade war for us to insist that products we use in this country are made in this country.”
It was stated that Obama has not yet publicly remarked on the subject.
The European Commission and of course, the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries disapprove. I’m sorry - we’re trying to save the United States’ economy right now. The World Trade Organization pact has created an imbalance in American imports and exports for years.
Surprisingly to me, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is opposed. Its spokesman, Chris Braddock stated, in part “We’re very concerned there will be retaliatory trade barriers by other countries.”
Is “Buy American” only a rallying cry, not really intended to be followed? Or is it only remembered when children are suffering from lead poisoning from Chinese-made toys?
President Obama, in order for an economic stimulus to work in the United States, the money must be spent in the United States. American workers need to be employed, creating the products that originally built this country.
I’m not an economist, but I can’t see the benefit in sending our money to Europe when we have many unemployed steel workers right here in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other states. Perhaps if those dollars would have stayed here in the first place, there wouldn’t be so many idle steel plants along the Ohio River.
I am very happy with the “Buy American” clause in the Senate proposal. President Obama, this country needs to hear your feelings regarding “buying American”.
Source: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2009/01/30/copy/senstimulus.ART_ART_01-30-09_A3_B2CO2U4.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
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