Buy American is about bulding jobs, not protectionism.

[LongTomH]

Tula Connell at the AFL-CIO NOW blog is taking on the conservative argument that the Buy American clause in the stimulus bill is tantamount to protectionism:

Last night on the PBS “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” AFL-CIO international economist Thea Lee honed in on the false arguments pushed by corporate interests who mutter darkly about how Buy American provisions will lead to “trade wars.” The Buy American provision mandates that only U.S.-made goods be used in projects funded by the bill—and requires that these steps are taken in a manner consistent with U.S. international trade obligations. So screams of “protectionism” are a red-herring.

Quoting from the interview:

I think we have to make a distinction between protectionism in a sense of raising tariff barriers…and stopping trade and government procurement decisions, where governments choose to spend their own tax dollars in a way which is targeted towards creation of good jobs at home. And it’s actually a rational step for governments to take in a time where we don’t have the coordination of fiscal stimulus.

U.S. taxpayers are going into debt to pay for the nation’s economic recovery—shouldn’t those dollars create jobs for Americans? As Lee notes, the U.S. taxpayer wants to:

stimulate the U.S. economy, not the global economy…to create good jobs at home in their own communities. They want their tax dollars spent that way. And other countries may not step up to the plate and do the appropriate level of fiscal stimulus, if they think they can free ride off of what the United States has done.

More at: http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/02/20/buy-american-is-about-building-jobs-not-protectionism/

[midnight]

1. Bravo. The U.S. Tax payer wants to

"stimulate the U.S. economy, not the global economy…to create good jobs at home in their own communities."

[Joe Chi Minh]

3. And rebuilding good jobs will mean that the money is recycled in your own society,

and not hoarded in some offshore tax-haven, until used to buy mini ocean-liners for the super rich, and diamond tiaras for their consorts.

[blues90]

8. Well if our own government won't do it then the people

Should shut it all down and refuse to buy anything not made here. It wouldn't take long , just use what you have and fix what you have and buys all the used items people are selling at garage sales and thrift shops or items that are used on web-sites.

This not only helps people out who need the money from selling their stuff it sends a message to build it here. I'll bet there is enough good used stuff to outlast the import crap.

To wait for the government is a waste of time that we don't have.

[ogneopasno]

2. Stimulating the U.S. economy will stimulate the world economy. What we plant here at home will grow

all over the world.

[Joe Chi Minh]

4. Yes, charity/love begins at home, but doesn't end there.

[lib2DaBone]

5. Why Can't CONgress.. with the stroke of a pen...bring jobs home

Reward companies that bring jobs to the United States?

I know I'm asking a lot, when asking for "reason" where its connected to Government.. but why can't the U.S. CONgress DO THE RIGHT THING?

Why do American's take for granted that their elected representatives are bought and paid for by Special Interests? Is everyone in this Country Brain-Dead?

Shouldn't American's expect more?

[marksmithfield]

6. If any one in Washington had any balls

at all they would do as you suggest. I think any American company that has moved production out of the country should have one month to close the plants and start production here again. If they can't or won't then their business privleges in the US should be revoked.
Just a thought, all businesses must have a license displayed in their place of business. I wonder when the last time ford chevy ibm or any major corporation renewed their licence?

[KoKo]

7. I keep wating for our Dems to frame the issue the way you did...but sadly they

don't ever seem to be able to be "pro-active" against the attacks from the "Loser Right Repugs" on any issue. If they haven't learned by now...they won't have power after the next election. I'm still hoping they LEARN..