Rhetorically speaking, nobody can match the Republicans for sheer frequency in utterance of the words America, American, Americish, Americanicity and just plain ‘merica. Republican Party politicians publicly obsess over who is and who isn’t wearing an American flag lapel pin.
But this is talk. When it comes to action on America, where do the Republicans stand?
The Buy American Caucus in the House of Representatives and H.R. 4553, the Buy American Act, have been created to promote a policy by which the United States government would buy products made in the USA when possible in order to promote American industry and preserve American jobs.
These are the cosponsors of the Buy American Act:
Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT, District 5) — principal sponsor
Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA, District 10)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT, District 3)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA, District 51)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC, District 3)
Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI, District 8 )
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL, District 3)
Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY, District 25)
Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL, District 16)
Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME, District 2)
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA, District 8 )
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA, District 38)
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV, District 3)
Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI, District 7)
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI, District 1)
Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH, District 13)
Rep. Charles Wilson (D-OH, District 6)
Two Republicans, sixteen Democrats.
These are the members of the Buy American Caucus:
Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK, District 2)
Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA, District 10)
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL, District 12)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT, District 3)
Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD, District 4)
Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL, District 17)
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC, District 3)
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL, District 3)
Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT, District 5)
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA, District 8 )
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV, District 3)
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH, District 17)
Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI, District 7)
Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC, District 11)
Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH, District 13)
Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN, District 1
Rep. Charles Wilson (D-OH, District 6)
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA, District 6)
One Republican, seventeen Democrats.
If the Mellman Group’s recent poll is accurate when it indicates high levels of concern about keeping American manufacturing jobs among Tea Party supporters, then Tea Party organizations may want to think again about the party label of the politicians they support. If you want a government that issues contracts to American manufacturing, you’re more likely to get a politician who supports that goal if you vote “D.”
Walter Jones is an American Hero.
Whatever you think of him otherwise, it’s pretty indisputable that Walter Jones has shown some independence from the Republican Party in recent years.
Wouldn’t want to throw too much support toward those evil Commie trade unions, y’know.
What’s wrong with Commies? I like Commies. They make all my stuff. Cheap.
EEEWWWW, they m a k e things . . .
While working for one of the National Lab’s years ago I recall that “buy American products/equipment” was a rule. What happed to that rule? I am sure it was a legislative law.
As for us commoners I want to buy USA Made products. I want my vegetables, fruit, and especially meat to be home grown. Difficult these days to know by labels if foods are processed in America. For God’s sake Fig Newtons are made in Mexico. Food companies are allowed to obscure the origin of their products by simply stating “processed for Nabisco. . .” Country of origin is lost.
Demanding country of origin on labeling is a must. Making a choice between processed chicken from China or processed in the USA guess what, I doubt China would win even if the chicken was cheaper. For goodness sake China did try to kill American’s pets.
We have no idea what agreements our government has made with foreign interests. Plenty of foreign interest being lobbied in Congress.
Certainly it would be a big boost for job creation if Made in USA was a legislative rule for Government and Americans would be able to not only make informed decisions but most certainly support Made in USA products.