Made in America
by
Darwin D. Ost Jr.
John Ratzenberger, whom we all knew as the famous Cliff Clavin from the TV show Cheers, hosted a town hall meeting titled “Keep It Made In America”. Mr. Ratzenberger took the stage to a standing ovation and talked about how he came from middle class America. His mother worked for Remington Arms, a plant that closed in 1970.
He talked about how Hollywood gives working class people a bad image by portraying them as stupid, drunks and lowlifes. He also said that middle class America is the backbone of our country and that “ The fate of western civilization depends on someone getting up in the morning and going to work”. He discussed how short sighted Americans seem to be when it comes to business; that we seem to think fiscal quarter to fiscal quarter for profit, while China and other Asian countries think about the next century. Mr. Ratzenberger talked about how America can’t compete with the current trade policies and how even our government is looking to outsouce millitary contracts to manufacturing companies in China.
There were some key speakers before Mr. Ratzenberger took the stage. Erie County Executive Elect Chris Collins stressed how important a discussion on creating jobs and securing our future is. He stated that while he believes in a global economy and free trade, he also believes in fair trade.
Former UAW local 897 Vice-President and current Erie County Legislator Bob Reynolds spoke about the importance of manufacturing jobs in Western New York. He made mention of the Kazoo company in Eden stating it is not just about cars but about all manufacturing jobs. Mr. Reynolds talked about how important the creation of career paths in the schools in the area would be. This would help develop youths that have the skills needed to create and maintain manufacturing jobs.
Other speakers went on to talk about the 197,000 manufacturing jobs that have been lost in New York since 2001. They stated that we have a 232 billion dollar trade deficit with China and that this trade deficit is soley responsible for the loss of 105,900 of the 197,000 jobs.
It is so important in upcoming elections to elect candidates that understand that with the loss of manufacturing jobs and middle class America our strength as a country is also lost. The social impact on an area is directly connected to economic stability. If there is a loss in tax base there will be a loss in the services provided that help to develop our youth into tommorrow’s leaders. We need to elect candidates that see that our trade policies, while killing America, are funding the oppression of workers in third world countries; we fund their militaries and we are suppoting a communist government in China that has a total disregard for civil rights.
Please remember to get involved in political action. Call your Senators and Congressmen. Write letters to our elected leaders. Donate money to our CAP program that takes political action on behalf of working class America. Remember to stay informed and let your voice be heard by voting in upcoming elections.
Most impotantly
BUY AMERICAN.