I Miss "Made in America"

I get angry every time I have to buy a product that is marked "Made in China", "Made in Mexico", or Made in anywhere but the USA. The trend of purchasing from other countries extends even to the government. Most of the products it buys, it does so from other countries, to save money. We have reached this state, because our country has embarked on a three-pronged attack on American manufacturing.

First, in order to supposedly open markets to other countries, we do not impose tariffs on imports. Additionally, these other countries do not have to adhere to the baseline regulations that the US does. They can pay their workers very little, do not have to follow any environmental standards, and in many cases the products are not inspected to ensure they follow American guidelines for sale (they may contain lead paint, poisons, ect.) They then ship these cheaper made items to the US to compete against goods made here, at a much higher cost.

Second we over tax our industries. The US, with an up to 35% corporate tax, is the highest in the world. Some states add up to another 10%, and some cities add up to another 9%. If you add these up a company can pay up to 54% of their profits in taxes. Of course many businesses will choose to produce in other countries. There are a few exceptions to this, such as GE, who through loopholes do not pay any taxes. Unsurprisingly, these companies were huge donors to our president's two races.

Third, in order to curb a few unscrupulous companies, the government's over regulation makes it much more expensive to manufacture here. Every industry is under a microscope by the EPA and OSHA. Why not make products where there are few if any of these regulations.

We can not continue to be a country of imports. Some of the best ideas originate here, but these innovations are sold to companies in other countries to produce. Investors must foresee a significant return on their capitol or they will not start a business. If we want to make America a profitable nation, once more, we have to make it a country in which companies can make a substantial profit.

We should level the playing field. A country that does not pay at least our minimum wage, and does not have similar environmental regulations, should pay a substantial penalty (tariff) to sell here. We should change our corporate tax structure to make it comparable to the average tax, world wide. Lastly, we should take a common sense approach with the EPA, we do need regulations, but we are regulating our home grown businesses, out of business.

I want to see America get back to work, and become the great industrial nation it once was. Continuing down the path we have been following for the last twenty plus years will do nothing but eventually bring poverty to all of us.