Underselling America

      Tomorrow is Memorial Day - a time for honoring our veterans and our troops -  the men and women who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice their lives in order to protect our country, our freedom, and our democratic values.  It's also a time for reflecting on what makes our country great. 

       I believe that the greatest resource our country has is its people.  The ingenuity, innovation, and positive, "can do" spirit of the American people is unrivaled by any other country.  Yet in the last 20 to 30 years, the people of the USA have been undersold to ourselves and to the rest of the world by those who are supposed to be representing us and leading us .  We have been told that we are falling behind in education, particularly in the areas of math and science;  we have been told that we are incapable of making good products;  we have been told a host of other negative messages designed to make us feel like losers. 

     Most of our leaders in government and business have said that students in other countries, especially those in China and India, are doing better than their American counterparts, and are years ahead of us in math and science.  This is supposedly the primary reason behind the movement to reform US education. 

     In the meantime, the majority of advancements in science, medicine, and technology, from the transistor to the microwave to fiber optics to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the internet to space travel have originated in the United States.   And in the meantime, there is an ever-increasing  influx of  foreign students that come to study in US graduate schools, primarily in the areas of math and science.  If US schools are so far behind, why are most new ideas coming from the US, and why do students from so-called "superior" countries want to study here? 

     What's wrong with this picture?  Are Americans  being sold a bill of goods and undersold to themselves and the rest of the world as an excuse for taking American ideas and manufacturing them more cheaply overseas?  As we honor and remember those who have put their lives on the line to protect and serve all that makes this country great, what do you think?
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This week's recommended product:

 US education

 Sources:   

 http://www.literacynet.org/icans/chapter02/tests.html

http://www.universitylanguage.com/blog/17/international-students-usa/

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/business/05scene.html

http://www.isbe.man.ac.uk/personal/dellard/dje/history_mri/history%20of%20mri.htm

Doomsday for the World or for the US Economy?

      Time was when doomsday prophets were relegated to city street corners holding cardboard signs.  Most of the balanced population, including us kids, would notice them and turn the other way, not even bothering to comment.  Sadly, with the assistance of the internet, social networks like Facebook and Twitter, and video sound bytes like YouTube, the mainstream media now picks up these weirdoes' messages and treats them like serious, significant news, worthy of week-long discussions.  In the meantime, the substantive coverage of real issues often gets overlooked.  I suppose it's just easier to cover a made-up problem, than it is to investigate and research real problems.

     Case in point -  a few weeks ago, in his radio broadcast and on his blog, Robert Reich, economist, former Secretary of Labor, and public policy professor at UC-Berkeley, pointed out that many "American" companies are creating large numbers of jobs overseas, where they are manufacturing their products in countries that have a demand for their products. (Of course, most are not creating new jobs in the US when there is a demand at home for their products, but instead, are filling US orders with products manufactured overseas as well.) In addition, some of these companies are exploiting foreign workers, particularly children, and violating basic human rights.

     Reich notes that almost half the sales of the S&P 500 are now overseas, and, according to the  Commerce Department, in the past ten years,  American multinational corporations have eliminated almost 3 million jobs in the US,  while adding more than 2 million jobs abroad.  Robert Scott, a senior international economist at Washington think tank, The Economic Policy Institute, says "There's a huge difference between what is good for American companies versus what is good for the American economy."

     Reich points out that these companies are still considered "American" companies, and still get US tax breaks.  At the same time,  the US Supreme Court has ruled that these big multinational corporations also have a "First Amendment right" to spend unlimited amounts of money on US elections, thereby having a huge influence on our elections, and on our elected representatives.

     As American consumers, we can make a difference by buying and promoting products and goods that are made and grown in the USA, and boycotting goods and products not made in the USA, whenever possible.  We can positively impact the US economy by swapping just one non-"Made in USA" product for a "Made in USA" product every time we go shopping.  For example, I have started filling my shopping cart at the grocery store with as many "Made in USA" products as possible.  When I buy tomatoes, I look for a USA label; when I buy cheese, I look for a "Product of USA" label; when I buy paper plates, I look for a "Made in USA" label.  I have switched brands, in many cases, and feel good because my new brands are "Made in USA."  I am doing what I can to help the US economy, the US worker, and US families.

     In fairness, not all of the mainstream media is ignoring this issue.  CNN has compiled a list of companies that are "exporting America."  (See my blog "sources" below.)  I just wish that the media would pay more attention to issues like this, and let the doomsday prophets carry their cardboard signs.   

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This week's recommendations:

 Sargento's cheese - Product of USA by Sargento Foods, Inc., Plymouth, WI (www.sargento.com)

 up & up paper plates, bowls - Made in USA by Target Corp, Minneapolis, MN

(www.target.com)

 Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/popups/exporting.america/content.html

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/05/04/pm-corporate-profits-dont-translate/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082606375.html?wprss=rss_business/economy

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110209135147AALZBrC

Helping the Least Among Us

   

     The major religions of the world pretty much agree that it's important to help those who are in  need.  In fact, this is the basis of true Christianity.  According to the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46,  Jesus challenges his followers to help others:   "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. . .Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

     I can't help wondering , then, why many of our elected lawmakers, who profess to be devout Christians and even want the US to be officially identified as a Christian country, are targeting programs who help the poor, the working class, the young, the old, and the sick in order to reduce the deficit?  These lawmakers are considering cutting healthcare, welfare and food stamp programs, tuition assistance, affordable mortgage programs, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and  pension plans for state and federal workers, and charging interest on student loans for graduate students.  Yet they refuse to consider cutting programs and legislation that bring more money into the coffers of the wealthy and wealthy corporations.  Oil subsidies paid to big oil companies, tax loopholes that allow profitable corporations to avoid paying US taxes, programs that give corporations tax breaks to help them pay taxes to foreign nations where they are building factories and outsourcing jobs, and doing away with tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans are all off the table. 
 

     These lawmakers allege that to touch the programs and the tax cuts that keep money flowing to the rich will impact new job creation in the US.  This hasn't worked well, so far.  Instead of creating new jobs at home, these wealthy individuals and corporations continue to hold on to their money, or use it to create new jobs in foreign countries. 

     On the other hand, putting money into the wallets of those who need it most - the poor, the working class, the young, the old, and the sick - injects money immediately back into the economy.  These people, unlike the wealthy, can't afford to save their money;  they will spend it locally, therefore supporting local businesses, and creating additional local jobs. 
 

     In addition, the products these consumers choose to buy will create a demand for those products.  At present, the options in the US marketplace, thanks to many big corporations,  are mostly limited to food, clothing, and other items produced overseas.  Promoting and buying  "Made in USA" items will create a demand for "Made in USA" products, thereby creating more jobs here at home.  This isn't rocket science.

     In order to reduce the deficit and cut spending, eliminating or reducing programs and tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and individuals, instead of targeting those programs who help the neediest Americans, makes more sense for the US economy.   It is also the right and Christian thing to do.  
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Do you love to snack as much as I do?  Here are two tasty, low-fat snack foods "Made in USA."

This week's recommendations:
      ·         Goldfish - Baked in USA  by Pepperidge Farm, Inc., Norwalk, CT   
           (http://www.pepperidgefarm.com/)

      ·         popchips - Product of USA by popchips, Inc., San Francisco, CA  
           (http://www.popchips.com/)

Sources:

http://www.patheos.com/community/holywrit/2011/02/04/matthew-25-helping-the-least-of-these/

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A31-46&version=NIV    

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-02/ryan-s-deficit-cutting-proposals-too-ambitious-even-for-fellow-republicans.html

http://chronicle.com/article/House-Republicans-Spending/126356/

"Democrats target big oil companies," Rucker & Montgomery, The Washington Post, 5/11/11

Faking It and Mother's Day

     Since today is Mother's Day, I was planning all week to write about the day, gift-giving, and how we can use gift-giving in a way that will help the US economy get back on track.  However, as life often does, my research took me down a different path - a path leading to faking it.

     Ancient "mothering festivals" honored the "goddess in all women."  This concept appeals to me.  In the US, American goddesses are honored with flowers, candy, gifts, and special meals. While gift shopping for those special women in our lives, we can help to create a demand for US-made goods and products by carefully checking labels and, whenever possible, buying those items that are "Made in USA."  However, as I discovered, this isn't always the case.   

     While shopping recently, I was encouraged to find more "Made in USA" clothing on store racks than I had seen in quite a while.  ( I later learned that this was due to an upsurge in "Made in USA" business.) In one retail store, I found a stylish white blouse that was not only marked down, but according to the label, was "Made in USA."  Happily, I purchased the blouse.  Sometimes, though, things are just too good to be true. The label had a company name that was unfamiliar to me.  I researched the manufacturer only to find that while the company is based in CA, and calls itself a US company, their manufacturing facility has been moved to Vietnam.

     I was disappointed, to say the least.  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the arbiter of all things "Made in USA."  I'm not an attorney, but in my opinion, according to the FTC website, the company who made my blouse in Vietnam, and claimed it was "Made in USA" is clearly noncompliant with the rules and regulations of the FTC.

     On its website, the FTC has posted ways, including an electronic complaint form, to report complaints against companies.  I have reported the manufacturer of my blouse, but according to its website, the FTC enters all complaints it receives into a secure online database that is used internationally by civil and criminal law enforcement authorities, but doesn't resolve individual consumer complaints itself.

     The moral of my story:  Beware of fake "Made in USA" clothing masquerading as "Made in USA" clothing.  (This week's recommendations are four clothing companies still manufacturing 100% of their clothing in the USA.)  Treat the mother-goddesses in your life well, and buy and promote "Made in USA" goods and products whenever you can.  If you find a company who is fraudulently claiming that a product was "Made in USA," for what it's worth, report it to the FTC by following the instructions on their website.

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This week's recommendations:

·         Beyond Clothing - Made in USA in Seattle, WA (http://www.beyondclothing.com/)

·         Eagle USA - Made in USA in Wendell, NC  (www.eaglesportswear.com/)

·         Red Ants Pants - Made in USA in White Sulphur Springs, MT  (www.redantspants.com/)

·         Wearable Integrity - Made in USA in Los Angeles, CA (http://barbaralesser.com/designer_profile.html)

 Sources:

http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20110325/clothing-brands-still-made-in-the-usa/

http://www.chiff.com/a/mothers-day-history.htm

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/usajump.shtm

Does A Rich Big Goil Need A Handout?

      The big news this week - that is, in addition to Donald Trump finally realizing that President Obama is not the Lion King - are the huge profits announced by big oil companies.  As gas prices soar to $4 per gallon and beyond at the pump,  the following first quarter earnings were announced:

·         Exxon Mobil:  $10.7 billion (up from $6.3 billion)

·         Royal Dutch Shell:  $6.3 billion (up from $4.8 billion)

·         Chevron:   $6.2 billion (up 36%)

·         British Petroleum (BP):  $5.48 billion (down from $5.60 billion during the first quarter a year ago -- including a charge of $384 million related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico)

·         Conoco Phillips:  $3 billion (up from $2.1 billion)

·         Valero Energy Corp:  (the largest independent U.S. refiner):  $98 million, up from a $113 million loss during the same period last year (due, in part, to maintenance expenses)

·         Marathon Oil Co. is slated to announce its first quarter earnings on Tuesday.

     The first quarter of 2011 represented a return to profit levels briefly reached by the major oil companies in 2008, when oil prices hit their all-time high of $145 per barrel. Oil prices are currently around $112 per barrel. 

     While big oil has obviously profited from ever-increasing gas prices, the American taxpayer-consumer has not.  Rising gas prices are taking a big bite out of the American workers' net income and, consequently, having a negative impact on the US economy.  The American consumer has less money to spend, which has slowed the economy and impacted businesses.  In addition, increased gas prices have caused an increase in the cost of other goods and services, as shipping costs increase.  Considering this, should American taxpayers continue to contribute to multi-million dollar tax subsidies for these same oil companies? 

     There have been a lot of suggestions from pundits and politicians, including, of course, continuing to pay big oil companies subsidies while cutting costs in other areas, such as education, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, further slamming the American taxpayer-consumer.  I believe that whatever suggestions are ultimately implemented - discontinuing subsidies for big oil must end, and giving moderate tax breaks to companies that promote renewable fuels and conservation must begin.
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This Week's Recommended Product:
St. Ives 100% Moisturizer - Made in USA by St. Ives Laboratories, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA
(http://www.stives.com/)

(Ed. Note:  There are no US oil companies I could find that primarily use US sources of oil. Therefore, I'm recommending a petroleum-containing product. Lotion is made from a petroleum derivative - petrolatum.)

Sources:

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/28/business/la-fi-oil-refineries-20110429

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/exxon-shell-profits-bp-oil-companies-high-expectation/story?id=13472740

http://www.tnr.com/article/environment-energy/87539/obama-gas-prices-epa-boehner?page=0,1

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23901712/ns/business-going_green/

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/29/BUIJ1J9TBD.DTL#ixzz1L8fB26eX