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Government should buy U.S. flags in America |
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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
By William Laney
Managing Editor
While the general principles of business dictate the marketplace should rule production and consumption, a West Virginia legislator is proposing in a bill that one item purchased by government entities should be manufactured only in the United States.
State Delegate Jack Yost, D-W.Va., is proposing any American flag purchased with state funds must be made in the United States. It is time Ohio legislators follow suit.
Legislators in Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Wisconsin proposed similar measures this spring, while laws have already been passed in Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Minnesota law forbids the sale of any foreign-made U.S. flag.
While a full-out ban would violate treaties, states should move toward using only domestic-made U.S. flags for state and federal functions. By permitting the commercial sale of flags would still permit low-priced, inferior products to hit the marketplace which included $5.5 million in imports of flags to the United States.
But by states and the federal government being restricted, it would ensure the survivors of a soldier who died in Iraq or Afghanistan are not being handed a flag made in China. The issue would be more contentious today if that American soldier had roots in Tibet, where ethnic cleansing by the Chinese is reported to be happening.
Most Americans could empathize and see no problem if Israeli lawmakers forbid buying Israeli flags made in Syria. The interest would not be there, while the market might be.
In the early 1980s, an effort was made to push goods “Made in the USA,” which became a very successful campaign until Americans became disenchanted because items assembled in the United States carrying the logo contained items made in other countries. This restricted purchase policy would be possible because of the low volume of flags purchased by government agencies compared to the U.S. market as a whole.
With this in mind, opponents would not have much of an argument touting the policy would be isolationist. Is it a show of patriotism for patriotism sake — it may well be but Americans have a right to be patriotic in this area.
On this issue, Ohio lawmakers do not have to take a wait-and-see attitude. They should move to the forefront and be one of the leaders. This is simply the right thing to do. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 10 May 2008 )
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