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JJ Ramberg

JJ Ramberg is the anchor of “Your Business,” MSNBC’s weekly show on small business. In addition to her extensive television reporting experience, Ramberg has a background as an entrepreneur and co-founded GoodSearch.com. She has an MBA from Stanford Business School.



Will Obama bolster 'Made in the USA'?

Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 1:02 PM by Eve Tahmincioglu
Filed Under: , , ,

One of Barack Obama's battle cries has been to encourage businesses to produce more in the good ol' U S of A.

That will be a good thing for shoppers like me who have been frustrated that hardly anything is made here anymore.

Whenever possible I try to buy U.S. made goods, and I've written in the past about trying to go totally domestic, but failing miserably.

Lately I've renewed my efforts because of all the scary product news coming out of China.

It hasn't been easy.

I've given up on finding an American-made shower curtain. They all seem to be made in China these days.

Shower curtains don't worry me as much as products my kids might eat or put into their mouths, like dental floss.

Yes folks, those plastic, disposable floss-holders in the shape of superheroes and princesses are now mostly made in China. I figured this out a while back when shopping at Target. After that I searched all the drug stores in town and found that there was nothing but Chinese-made flossers on offer.

After reading all the tainted milk stories from China I decided to go on to the Internet and find out if anyone made these floss holders in the United States, and eureka -- I found E-Z Floss in Palm Springs, Calif.

The company makes dental health products and one of their top sellers is "Mr. Flossman."

Not only are they made in a plant in nearby Ontario, Calif., owned by Microdyne Plastics Inc., these holders are also non-disposable. So I ordered a bunch at $2.50 a pop and sent some to my nieces and nephews. I had to contact the company directly because even though it has a Web site it doesn't have a shopping cart function.

It got me thinking why this tiny company was still paying premium prices to make this product in the United States.

So I called Dennis Naber, a partner at the 40-year-old business, and he told me the company never seriously considered having Mr. Floss made anywhere but in the U.S.

"The company never felt a need to do that," he said, adding that the mold to make Mr. Floss is very expensive and heavy, and the company likes being able to drive 70 miles to get to the plant that makes the flossers.

"It's about quality and patriotism," he said. "I would prefer to have it done it the States. It's better for our economy."

I can't help but feel Naber is a dying breed, so I figured I'd give props periodically to U.S. firms that make at least some of their products domestically.

So tell me if you own a company or know of one that still has products made here.

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Comments

Yes we still make our products here in the USA
Mels BBQ Covers  We wouldnt habve it any other way.

John Hershberger (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:20 PM)

I would prefer to purchase products Made in the USA, but how will that be possible when tax increases are looming? You put a strangle-hold on businesses and its not the CEO who will cut his salary, but job losses, lower production or higher prices to make up for any tax increases. This in turn fosters the consumers to either spend less or buy cheaper products, i.e. Made in China. Obama favors tax increases so he cant have both. Either he doesnt increase taxes so that consumers spend more or he increases tax and consumers buy on the cheap

Aaron, Calif (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:38 PM)

His corporate tax increases will encourage business to ship jobs overseas rather than encourage US-made goods. He will be bad news for the economy and businesses.

Margaret in Richmond (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 3:02 PM)

My Weber grill said it was made in the USA on the box.  The Old Smokey brand 3" face thermometer I installed on it is also made in the USA.

I believe that it isn't substantially less expensive to make products overseas and have them shipped back over.  They are saving pennies.. Either way, the executives are taking this money home with them, not reinvesting in the company's physical resources or labor pool. I say: tax them to death for off shoring

Chris, Austin TX (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 3:27 PM)

BigBoxMart can't be too happy with that. About 99.5% of their crap is made in China or 3rd world countries.

James Harmon, Joliet, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 3:40 PM)

I own a factory and employ 50 people in the USA. Obama will, in his stated tax increases and unionization efforts force my hand into closing the doors.  Why should I work hard?  The government will take care of me, right?  I can't afford to compete with goods from China anymore.  What people don't understand is that even if you don't compete directly with China you compete with their price structure. For example that grill isn't worth $600 when I can get one from wal-mart for $125.  Even if you sell some at $600 you're making fewer and then the price goes up more.  Whatever,  public assistance for me.

Jason, Nesquehoning PA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 3:46 PM)

More jobs will be leaving the good ole USA. If you raise my tax, force me to hire union employees and deal with a national health care system, I will produce my products overseas at a cheaper price and I will keep those profits overseas where Obama can not tax them.

Kris, Houston, Tx (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:15 PM)

Chinese imports have hurt us more every year, but we are celebrating our 35th year in business and will hopefully survive these tough domestic times.

CW, Venice, FL (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:31 PM)

Sunsout, Inc makes jigsaw puzzles.  They are manufactured in the USA and advertise that information on their website.  

MB (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:49 PM)

I feel that if a company wants to take it's business outside of the USA they should not be allowed to bring it back. If you want to bring the product back here you should be charged a larger taxes then you would if you kept the product here. You want to benifit from the people of the USA you should have to use the workers here. Company owners will never understand that the money that you make should go back to the people here. Where is the old belief that what goes around comes around. All the business owners want anymore is money for themselves at the cost of everyone else. No one should be able to take in MILLONS of dollars into their pockets and not expect to give back to others. What is wrong with people thinking that the world owns them everything. Do you really think you work any harder for your money then someone making half as much (YOU DON"T) you are no better then anyone else. You want to make your products in China go live there and stay away from the USA we don't want you here.

Teresa,St. Mary Pa. (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:57 PM)

Zippo Lighters are still made in Bradford, PA and are having layoffs due to the slowing economy and cheap Chinese "knock offs". Case knives also made here and many other products, but for how long? We as consumers are partly to blame for our current woes, because Americans are Consumers, NOT Savers!

Downtown Dave, Bradford, Pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 5:21 PM)

Microplastics, Inc. is a 100% employee owned company (ESOP) that manufacturers plastic insert molding products in St. Charles, Illinois.  We provide components to the automotive, appliance, medical, computer peripheral and industrial automation industries.  Many of our customers have been trying to get us to manufacture products in Mexico or Asia.  We want to keep jobs in the United States and look for customers who value a regional partner.  It's not easy.  We hope more companies realize that sending components to the alleged "low cost countries" hurt our economy and ultimately our lifestyles.  Personally, my wife and I will only buy toys for our three kids that are made in the USA.  Kudos to everyone who shares our perspective.

Al Martin, St. Charles, IL (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 5:26 PM)

Our corporations have bought into the idea that "cheaper-faster-better" is a reality.  The fact is, Americans have been duped into believing it.  When you buy something made in China, you are buying a product made with cheaper labor, cheaper materials, cheaper process, etc., but the products are not better; they're just disposable.  Americans are accustomed to buying cheap stuff, and most don't know what quality products look like.  We've become slaves to the marketing tactics of the must-have new gadget of the year.  We must have it because they won't work longer than that.  We need to get back to our hard working roots and quality products, and stop reducing ourselves to the standards of a lower qualify of life else we will be doomed to live it!  

Steven Saw (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 6:00 PM)

My company has a factory in China. If the American buyer would pay American prices then we would make our products in America. But, the American buyer demands cheap import prices for American made products. If you want more American made products then stay out of Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot and K-Mart! And, if you want to know why my furniture isn't made in the USA...it's because of Target and their "Loss Leader" selling formula.

Louis Torrans, Jefferson, Texas (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 6:30 PM)

Sorry to hear that business owners have resigned themselves to shutting their doors or moving jobs to other countries, simply because they have this mistaken notion that the Democratic presidential and congressional victories will result in an unbearable tax burden. This despite the fact that in the last 50 years or so, whenever there's a Democrat in the White House, the economy actually grows at a faster pace, which means more people with more money to spend. Have the courage to keep making things in the U.S. Of course, if you're dead-set on going out of business, keep sending jobs to other countries, driving down the wages with which people will buy your products. In other words, stick it out, or we'll all have to continue borrowing money from China to keep buying cheap, poisonous crap from China, when what we'd really like to do is buy well-made, American-made products.

Paul, San Jose, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 6:53 PM)

I understand why a business owner wouldn't want to be taxed more - but isn't it on you profit, not your net, that you are taxed on?  Additionally, if more Americans had money to spend, doesn't that benefit your business?  It only seems to make sense.  And why can't we tax the heck out of imports?  Their tainted products cause problems here, shouldn't we discourage them from coming to us to protect the public's health.

Barbara P, Schuylkill Haven, PA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 7:05 PM)

I really like this blog, it sure does put a lighter pictures from both companies and consumers.  Thank you to everyone, I for one will start looking for USA products for my household.  I hope that we do start a new (or old) system back into the USA.  One for all and all for one.  

Sally (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:00 PM)

Vans sneakers are made in USA and their durability and quality is just as good as other brands made overseas.  Their employees make much more than employees overseas.  The key possibly is the capital of the plant manufacturing the products(its efficiency and increased productivity).  These sneakers are comparable in price to those that are made else where.  If companies do decide to have main headquarters outside the US they would no longer be considered a US company and would no longer be special interest to the United States and are not entitled to any protection from the US and most employees (except for sale offices in the US) would probably be required to live in an unstable host country or a country that may become unstable.

B more, Effort PA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:01 PM)

Great idea, as long as the company brings in less than $250k.

There are a lot of great companies that still make products in America, and they deserve our support, but you can't really help them if you want more of their profits.

Justin, Boise, ID (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:03 PM)

We have openned Pandora's box by allowing trade with China where they pay poverty level wages. Of course our companies can't compete with cheap labor. My company would love to hire USA employees, but that won't work as long as my competitors continue to prostitute themselves with overseas unregulated labor. I am so tired of hearing all this crap about globalization being good. If we keep going down the same path, we won't having anybody working in the USA, because ALL jobs can be done cheaper somewhere else. That's a  guaranteed failed business plan. Then we talk about re-training. RE-TRAINING IN WHAT I ask? There aren't enough high-level jobs to go around, so more education is not the answer for an entire population. If we continue to get rid of lower and mid level jobs, there won't be a USA.

We need FAIR TRADE (not free trade) regulation so all of us can improve our economic standing. Even the rich guys and gals will see increased income if the middle and lower class actually have jobs to buy their products. GLOBAL ECONOMICS WITHOUT RULES DOESN'T WORK.

Tim, Long Beach, CA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:14 PM)

Yes, go to www.ranchosafari.com

All of the products are made in Ramona CA.

Ken San Diego CA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:30 PM)

I operate an american footwear components plant that would love to say our products are american made. The problem is my supplies are imported products because all the plants in the usa have closed. My employees take pride in providing the best product they can produce and I value them. I provide wages and benefits that allows an acceptable standard of living. They are family to me and we share the daily hardships of life because I believe that is what I was created to do. Do to government regulations and all the other required cost that isn't directly related to producing the product, I find each day more difficult to stay in business. We must all realize that for this country to survive means sacrifice for each of us.

wayne dieckhaus (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:37 PM)

I live in Kentucky and I'm banning Florida oranges! I intend to only buy Kentucky-grown oranges! I'm bringing it home! I kidda tired of the Import fear-mongering.

J.W., Florence, Ky (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:39 PM)

The tax argument is null since about 50% of U.S. corporations don't pay income tax. Here's an idea: how about any company that doesn't pay taxes MUST have at least 50% of their product made in the U.S. or be fined? It's disgusting that we have our business overseas paying  hard-working 12 year olds $.20 an hour and then the company doesn't even have to pay taxes on their income when we have jobless rates here at 15%.

Kelly K, Tx (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:50 PM)

Great article on Mr.Floss. I love reading these stories. My partners and I are quite proud of our company which offers solar energy solutions for homes and businesses in Eastern PA and NJ. Our company company policy is simple-US made components only. All of our photovoltaic ,solar hot water and solar radiant heating systems are made right here in states. We are contacted almost monthly by some Chinese manufacturer who wants to steal our US vendor's business and we want no part of it. We're proud to be an American owned company offering American products which deliver real energy independence to Americans from day one. This is something that both our company and our clients can be proud of. We are doing our part to keep this new industry and these jobs in our hands and not theirs.

Tim Grohman Hazlet NJ (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 10:48 PM)

USA should tell the world to take a flying leap and focus all energies and resources to re-establishing a self sufficient domestically focused society and economy.  This globalism crap is useless and has started us on our way to our demise and absorption in the global economic and cultural union.  Lets pull out of the world stage, bring all troops home and rebuild our infrastructure, make, sell and buy our own products, with our own currency, let loose the alternate energy technology already developed and available here in the US and re establish fortress America.  If we fail to do this and fall for the globalism crap, we will find ourselves standing among the ashes of what was once the greatest country on the earth.

B, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:00 PM)

I can only hope that more companies will bring their products back to the USA.  I am tired of hearing about the latest recall on MIC things.  
In a way its a vicious cycle.  Companies want to make a bigger profit so they go the cheap labor route which many Americans laid off.  Then the laid off workers have to cut back on spending and yes MIC stuff is alot cheaper then stuff made here.  However I feel that we can end this cycle by bringing most of these products back here which creates more jobs and leading to more people having money to spend and voila a new cycle.
I also feel the way the author felt.  As a parent, I get sick of explaining to my older girls that their favorite toy has to go into the trash because if their baby sister got ahold of it she would get sick.  The latest candy crisis also made things worse as my children had a pretty sucky halloween due to even something as simple as a Hershey's bar being manufactured in China.
If you are really hard up for good ole made in the USA products, do a search for handmade products.  Yes its a bit costly but isn't it worth it knowing that our children/grandchildren can be safe?

Jennifer, Detroit, MI (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:05 PM)

I have long advocated buying US made and refuse to buy import vehicles, (including US assembled imports), tools etc. It has become very hard as the years go by. I remember when imports were the exception not the rule. Change is not always good....

Billy Williams, Baytown, Tx (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:08 PM)

My gallery specializes in contemporary craft handmade in America. We represent over 150 individual artists and small studios across the US. This is a tough business and a labor of love but it is worth the struggle. I do not compete with or support China or businesses who make their profits on underpaid, overworked, overseas labor. Sure, my profit margin would likely be higher if I sold imports, but my integrity would suffer. By simply maintaining a high level of quality and individuality we insure that we have little competition and we keep our integrity.

I stopped shopping at big corporate stores many years ago when I realized that adjusting my buying habits could make a difference in the world. I choose to keep my money circulating in the US and by supporting small and local businesses and buying American-made. I love shopping local. I know the people who's products I'm buying and I receive much better customer service. And even if I spend a little more up front I end up saving in the end because the quality is superior. It's a small adjustment that's made a big quality of life difference for me.

Sheri Fox, Solana Beach CA (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:20 PM)

I Obama doesn't stop US companies from outsourcing jobs then all the people who voted for him are proving their ignorance.

Jay (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:27 PM)

I co-own a retail store in Portland, Oregon.  We only sell items handcrafted by artisans in the US & Australia. Of our 53 artisans, 51 are in the US, and more than 35 are in our local area.  We're located in a mall, but being near Target doesn't seem to be hurting us. People know that we have something different and our customers appreciate being able to buy things that directly support our own economy.

Renee, Portland, Ore. (Sent Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:40 PM)

NAFTA supported by both Democrats and Republicans, signed in by Bill Clinton has cause the trouble in the USA. There were suspose to be tariffs put on the products returning to the US but that got lost somewhere along the way. I think that we should insist that tariffs should be high enough to make companies think twice about shipping jobs overseas.

Brenda Reger, Louisville, KY (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:45 AM)

If the US wants to improve domestic manufacturing and exports, one of the problems that has to be addressed is the US Dollar/Chinese Yuan currency exchange rate.  

The Chinese government has kept the Yuan at artificially low levels for years.  If the currency value was allowed to fluctuate, it would very likely appreciate, making Chinese exports more expensive and US products more competitive.

Don't expect "Made in the USA" to make significant progress until this happens.

Not Sure, East Coast, USA (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:54 AM)

I own a business and make products here in the USA as well as import a few items from China that are no longer made here.  I do not understand why higher taxes drives business overseas -  we are taxed on our profit and it does not matter if we import our goods or make them ourselves, the tax is the same - so what is all the fuss?  I think we've just come to believe all that propaganda that lower taxes are good for business.  Well if you look back 50 years you will see that America was at its peak when taxes were highest, so please someone show me the proof.

Steve Sues, Santa Cruz, CA (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 2:26 AM)

I would much rather pay extra (meaning higher prices) for anywhere near the quality Made in USA goods used to have!  I DO NOT, NEVER WILL shop at Wal-Mart, am semi-forbidden to, since I married a son of a union lawyer and learned about their anti-union practices.

I've been a New Balance (shoes) customer for nearly 30 years, but recently they too moved their manufacturing to the Orient, and have lost a very loyal customer.

But, honestly, clothes made in any other country, since I was a child even, NEVER fit me right.  I learned to use a sewing machine when I was 8 years old and made most of my own clothes for many many many years.  Have stopped now because with MS, it's hard to even type...

Plus, isn't there a tax CREDIT in Obama's plan for getting jobs back?  I thought I read that somewhere during the election (on his website, in his policy statement, maybe?).

Plus, I believe that most corporations would be very surprised by their profits and profit margins if they would simply start taking responsibility for their goods' quality, adding a bit of customer service back in, and raising prices to realistically cover their costs and overhead.  We Americans have let our own principles slide, therefore we are paying our own price for doing so.

susan f (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 6:48 AM)

The problem of foreign made goods is only partially down to politics (free trade agreements, etc.). The real problem is the American people. Think about it: If you went to buy a pair of scissors and saw some made in Kansas for $30 and a similar pair made abroad for $3, which would you buy? The majority of people would buy that latter. That is one of the big differences between the mentality in a place like France or Germany and the US. They are willing to pay ten times the price for a quality product which is made locally. Americans are not.

PJ (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:52 AM)

I just found out about this blog this morning, but be assured, I will be checking it often!  What a great resource.  Also, kudos to all who wrote in about their US companies & their determination to keep production/jobs in the US!  I run BuyAmerican.com (www.buyamericanmart.com), a retail website selling only American-made products.  For those who wrote in, discouraged about not being able to find American-made products, let me say - they are out there, but there are at least 2 major problems they face in getting their products in front of consumers: they have trouble getting them in the "big box" stores where the majority of consumers seem to go because the concessions demanded by the "Marts" (lower cost, production quantities, etc...) are too restrictive - provided you can even get in front of one of the "Mart" buyers...Secondly, the cost of shipping direct to customers is getting out of hand, so most have shied away from drop-shipping arrangements with retailers.  That leaves them with retailing their items on a local level in "brick & mortar" establishments.  

This whole global economy & fair trade idea was supposed to benefit all involved, but so far, the only ones reaping any great benefit are the upper managers of companies who have managed to skirt paying taxes & laborers...

If all of the manufacturing jobs leave this country, who will be shopping for anything?  And, if anyone is lucky enough to still be working, will they risk spending their $$ on foreign goods - especially in light of all of the recalls for lead, toxins, etc...

Laura Hultberg, Pittsfield, PA (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 9:11 AM)

I think there are a few people missing the point.  A repeating theme is something along the lines of "if taxes are raised on imported goods and services I won't be able to stand up to my competitors."  That is not true, because your competitors will also be paying this same tax.  What happens then is to be a to compete you would have to use domestic labor that does not come with a heavy tariff/tax.  This is the premise behind tariffs.  Other countries do the same to us.

Chris, Austin TX (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 9:39 AM)

We will buy nothing from China.  Yes I know it's hard but look what we have done as a country in cutting down on gas consumption.  So put another towel on the floor for the shower, just don't by anything from China.  

k TENEROWICZ (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 9:50 AM)

[sarcasm]We need to grow jobs in the US. To do that, I think we should lower the minimum wage. This would allow companies to hire more people and grow. We should also cut even more taxes on large corporations that outsource jobs overseas. This would help them grow even larger and eventually something will dribble down. [/sarcasm]

Mike, Michigan (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:00 AM)

There is no way Barrack Obama is going to help strengthen "Made in America!!!" In fact, he will bring the demise of American companies. If you thought things were bad now, wait a year or two and you'll be begging to get back to where we are today. Maybe if Obama would have spent more time in business classes instead of public speaking classes he would know that raising corporate taxes, raising the minimum wage, supporting already over compensated unions, forcing companies to incur the cost of health insurance, etc., etc. are simply increases to the cost of doing business. All companies, if they can manage to survive, are going to do is cut back on their employment, cut back on the number of goods and services they provide and become more specialized, ie. more crap from China. Not to mention that the most intelligent business people in America, let alone the rest of the world, make over $200k a year and his tax hikes are merely a disincentive for them to work, thereby negating the incentive of higher compensation for them coming up with better ideas. I hope when companies start laying people off they take a survey and start with Obama voters, they're the ones who asked for it!!!

Travis, Common Sense, USA (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:05 AM)

The idea that American manufacturers can't compete because of higher taxes, higher prices and unions is, I believe, mistaken.  Taxes are the same on profits whether the goods are made in USA or imported, as Steve Sues has already pointed out, and clothing prices in most department stores are the same whether the clothing is made here or made in China.  Look at the success of Hart, Schaffner & Marx, (President Obama's favorite suit) made in USA by union workers. The bottom line is people will pay for higher quality, but when cheap junk is all they can find, they have to buy that.

Alvin Adams, Groves, TX (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:13 AM)

Brenda ... you bring up NAFTA. Does anyone remember Ross Perot's famous line? "That sucking sound you hear is American jobs going over the border." Went to a Wal-Mart to find some overalls and there they were, All American was the brand. I bought them and later found the tag that said, MADE IN RUSSIA.

How's that for change?

Peter, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:13 AM)

Seriously, I'm tired of the conservatives talking about economic gloom and doom before Obama even has taken the oval office.  The Republicans have been in charge for the last eight years, and they are the ones who gave tax breaks to companies who sent jobs out of the US.  I'm not saying that Obama has all of the answers, but it has not been perfume and roses under the Republicans.  

There are three things that I would like to see Obama do.  First, I would like to see Obama bring an end to these tax breaks for companies that send jobs away, and offer tax breaks to compnaies that create jobs here in the US.  Secondly, I believe that NAFTA should be thrown into the garbage, and two separate trade agreements should be made with Canada and Mexico.  Canadian laborers earns wages similar to ours, but the Mexican laborers earn significantly less.  Under the current NAFTA agreement, it is far too easy for companies to build their products in Mexico.  Thirdly, Obama must force management and the labor unions to sit and talk.  Labor unions cannot be given a carte blanche to do whatever they want once the companies build in the US or come back to the US.  If the labor unions sharply increase the wages and benefits of their members, American goods that are expensive already will become even more so.  This would offset any benefit gained by increasing the prices of foreign made goods.

Ultimately, we want people to buy American goods because they are superior AND competitively priced.  We don't want people to be forced to buy American goods that are unjustifiably overpriced.  Obama defintely will have to perform a balancing act in order to do this, but I believe that it can be done if we keep our eyes on what is at stake.

For the record, I drive a Saturn made in Kansas, and my wife drives a Mazda made in Michigan.  Out fridge, stove and dishwasher are made in the US as well.  We paid a bit more for these items, but we are keeping our focus on what is at stake.

Peter, Mount Holly, NC (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:30 AM)

Only a few people on here really got it right..Obama's first Bill to be passed will be the Employee Free Choice Act which takes away the secret ballot election process in Union Drives. The Teamsters, AFL-CIO, in a last ditch effort to save a shrinking union workforce, poured millions into his campaign. With the passage of this Bill, companies that are already struggling in this economy will be forced to push more jobs overseas or shutter the doors as they cannot pay the increased wages. Noone is really talking about this one. Look at the success of Detroit and the airlines and you will get a great look into the future of our domestic production.

B, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:32 AM)

Even with the current corporate welfare packages and tax cuts to the wealthy, jobs continued to ship oversees as it results in more profit to the share-holders.  It's amazing to see so many republicans making knee-jerk responses to a Democratic presidency stating that this will actually cause more jobs to leave this great country.  If we present an incentive to retain US employment, and make it less lucrative to fire our citizens in favor of cheap international labor, then those CEOs will be able to present a better argument to their steering committees in favor of keeping our citizens employed.

Little Brother, FL (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:47 AM)

Obama wants to go tax credits to companies who keep American jobs in the USA. Don't believe the bitter McCain supporters, their lies did not fool the American voters. Obama will create incentives for companies to keep jobs in the USA.

Frank, Lakewood, OH (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:54 AM)

Kazoobie! A company in New Port Richey, Florida that is making and selling a LOT of kazoos even in this economy!

Mike Margotta, Spring Hill, Florida (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 11:49 AM)

Did it ever occur to these US manufacturing business owners that when we, the middle class, have more money in our pockets we can afford to spend more on purchasing "made in the USA" products?  If you're not strapped to the bone every week you can afford to make the choices you would prefer rather than what you must to survive.  Why don't you wait to see how this all plays out before you start complaining about what's coming with the new administration.  You may be pleasantly surprised.  And never forget, if the promises don't live up to the action we are expecting, we can still vote them out of office just as easily as we voted them in.

Julie Gangloff, Chester, IL (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 11:53 AM)

I'm so glad there's a growing awareness of this issue.  I personally try to purchase clothing made in the USA, although it's not easy and it costs more.  Two companies I like are Blue Canoe (organic cotton clothing all made in USA) and Munro American shoes.  Excellent quality products.

Jennifer, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, November 06, 2008 12:36 PM)



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