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Made In The U.S.A.? Not Really

I was proud and impressed of the new U.S. Olympic uniforms until I heard that every piece of clothing created for the United States team WAS MADE IN CHINA!

For years I have supported the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) with donations. I thrill that young people vie to be the best in their sport while representing their country with pride.

The games are about to begin in London. I watched a piece on the news which brought on my BBB (Boiling Blood Syndrome!). The reporter was detailing the stylish array of uniforms to be worn by the American team. I was proud and impressed with the fashion show until I heard that every article of the uniforms created for the United States team WAS MADE IN CHINA!

What could "they" possibly be thinking? Maybe when officials and political cheeks get rid of their red faces, they will unite and take the time before the games begin to MAKE THE U.S. UNIFORMS IN AMERICA.

That's the least that should be done. I wonder who is making the enormous profit ... somebody's getting it!

Martha L. Bridges July 18, 2012 at 12:59 am
Tonto,
Who's Oblamer? I don't know anybody by that name.
Tonto July 18, 2012 at 01:01 am
hint, GW :)
Martha L. Bridges July 18, 2012 at 06:42 am
Tonto, I just can't buy into all your ranting about President Obama trying to impose communist rule on the United States. In my opinion that is just so much nonsense and meant to stir up conflict. So I'm not buying into that unreasonable line and besides isn't this blog posting about the Made in China uniforms?.
Stamford Bridge July 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I think it's much ado about nothing really....With the US dollar so worth squat, and our continued floundering economy, both domestically and in terms of world market, it wont be long before China is forced to start out sourcing their jobs as well. Their economy is cranking and their middle class is thriving. But we suck financially as a nation, we have to kinda come to terms with that and not get so wadded up in our shorts, rather get our butts moving again. BTW, all of you who are reading this on an iPad or iTouch and are bent out of shape about the Olympian duds being manufactured in China..........Yep, you, we, me they, everybody is to blame. Apple owns the world, and won't make their stuff here, hmmmm, why is that? It's not all cost either....
Proud American July 18, 2012 at 01:47 pm
Of course corporations can outsource and spend their money in foreign countries, that isn’t the problem. When they sell their cheap products in America they can’t retain all of the savings as profits, they have obligations to our country. Someone has to pay for the infrastructure they utilize to transport the goods. Security of our country, military, living conditions, health care, safe food and consumer products has to be paid for by someone. We accomplish this by paying our fair share of taxes and a government to manage it. Obama doesn’t want to control us, he wants fairness. Don’t expect the general public to pay for everything. If a citizen has one of the few jobs still available in America; after they pay for basic living costs they don’t make enough to pay for the corporate share of expenses. So corporate America share your wealth stop hiding your money, pay your fair share. Your officers and share holders will still be rich enough to have a luxurious life.
SPB July 18, 2012 at 03:23 pm
ok, its clear many people here don't understand how manufacturing works, so I'll try to build a little off of what Gary said.
There is no "Made in _____" Sure, your car may have been ASSEMBLED in America, but many of those parts were made in other countries. Sure, your shirt may have been woven in China, but the PET which made the polyester could very well have come from the US. Globalism is Global. Unless you are living in North Korea odds are every consumer good you have is an amalgamation of the efforts of companies in a multitude of countries. Bitching about shirts "made in China" overlooks the complexity of our global economy. Now, I agree with the general sentiment that our government is doing more harm than good when it comes to domestic businesses trying to stay competitive. The one thing I always notice when people more commonly associated with the 'left' talk about the need for a strong regulatory presence to ensure fair wages/ healthcare etc. is that they typically confuse labor rights with the red tape of regulatory agencies. I'm pretty sure most people are for safe and fair work environments, but if they really understood how hard it is to run a profitable business with all of the roadblocks that get put in the way, they might have a different outlook. Though, on the flip side of things, American manufacturing has been drying up for a generation, long before Obama came onto the scene. He's not the anti-christ. Get over it.
SPB July 18, 2012 at 03:32 pm
China is already being outsourced. Manufacturing is already leaving China for the US (if thats the product's final destination) or places like Thailand which have lower wages and a less demanding workforce. Also, their economy is cranking along, but its a bubble. In fact, many of China's elites are investing their money outside of their home country. The downside of a planned economy is that you get a lot of "bridges to nowhere." There has been a lot of unnecessary infrastructure investment which is going to hurt them in the long run once they realize they can't freely spend they way they used to. As it is China (while growing) is slowing down. Ports are closing and plants are laying off employees. China will continue to grow, but it will either taper off and grow at a more sustainable clip (if they successfully begin switching to a consumer based economy) or it will crash hard once the Eurozone falls apart, which will drag Europe and America into another recession (or depression) essentially wiping out a large portion of China's manufacturing consumer base and any dream of being the Alpha Dog.
Diana July 18, 2012 at 07:19 pm
Businessmen are the symbol of a free society—the symbol of America. If and when they perish, civilization will perish. But if you wish to fight for freedom, you must begin by fighting for its unrewarded, unrecognized, unacknowledged, yet best representatives—the American businessmen." - Ayn Rand.
Panglonymous July 18, 2012 at 08:03 pm
OMG, why don't we just fellate 'em and get it over with? (Not directed at you, Diana, but the quote source.)
@tinytom July 18, 2012 at 08:47 pm
Any Rand - ya, like the Soviets, and the dinosaurs.
Papa Rich July 19, 2012 at 11:41 am
Its a world economy get over it
Thunder July 19, 2012 at 12:27 pm
in a free market, the consumer bans things by simply not buying them.
Thunder July 19, 2012 at 12:28 pm
that was a good one.
Thunder July 19, 2012 at 01:04 pm
a whole city full of self righteous asses who think everyone owes them 100k job because they owe a school. what a horrible scenario you have described. not a single person with any common sense all walking around quoting books they read and bragging about their non-real world achievements.
julie dawson July 19, 2012 at 03:52 pm
No Martha it is not the most intellectual comment, it is simply the one you agree with.
Are you trying to flatter John Yang, that is hardly a compliment since you are a hipocrite to a degree that is indescribable. The U.S. needs major reform regarding the tax code, small businesses are what propell the economy. Why are so many willing to accept that America is outsourcing small and large companies, to other countries, as if it is hopeless and a problem that can never be solved? We need leaders that are not so eaisly corupted, and this problem will be solved. Is that a fantasy? I have been criticized in the past by some liberals that state how great this country is, and how we can overcome anything, but the very same people roll over and accept the fact our country is outsourcing companies as if it will always be, and there is nothing that anyone can do. Obama is a continuation of Bush in so many ways I have lost count.
S.A.P. July 19, 2012 at 04:04 pm
Angela, do people who shop at your grocery store wear name tags?
Just wondering.
catmandu July 21, 2012 at 02:32 pm
The only thing made in America are Hambugers and Fries. Thats the new color of American Industry.They call them green jobs because nothing green goes into your pockets after a hards days work. Thats Hope and Change Hoping you still have chump change after you get supersized.
Ann July 21, 2012 at 03:08 pm
You can thank Bill Clinton for that. He pushed and pushed Congress to let him sign NAFTA and sold all our maufacturing jobs to third world countries. Then there's GE who gives to Obama's campaign and outsources 90% of it's work to other countries! Yes, we got some real winners in government, LOL. This country is getting Dumber by the minute.
Charles Ferrell July 21, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Not only did the U.S. Olympic Committee fail to insist when they contracted for our team dress uniforms that the uniforms must be made in the USA, but also failed when they approved the design in the first place. These are ugly unforms. They certainly don't say "America," whether or not they were made here in this country. I thought the Stetson hats in year's past were a bit much, but at least they said "America." But these uniforms? A polo pony? How about uniforms in red, white and blue with a big ol' American flag on the back? A beret could be any number of countries, but at least a Stetson hat says "America." Bad move all around for the U.S. Olympic Committee on this one. Looks like they were trying to downplay American pride in these uniforms in the first place already, and allowing them to be made anywhere but in the United States just made matters worse.
Mark Wallace July 23, 2012 at 03:57 pm
More than 3/4 of everything " Made in USA" consist of products made in other countries. Even though it is assembled here. So maybe we just need to change our phrase. And anyone who is angry about this needs to look around their life first. Where are your clothes from, Where is your furniture from, where is your TV made and the computer or device you are using to post on here. Before you all get Huffy and Puffy, remember, Do Not Be Hypocritical.
Mark Wallace July 23, 2012 at 03:58 pm
Yet almost all the Devices you use are made or have parts from other countries
Mark Wallace July 23, 2012 at 04:01 pm
My company uses american apparel and it is from mexico. some companies are now using "MAde in AMerica" cuz technically Mexicon is in "AMerica", "North AMerica"
Mark Wallace July 23, 2012 at 04:01 pm
Where is everthing you wear, your cell phone, your tv, your computer made? THINK ABOUT IT
Maxx July 24, 2012 at 03:11 am
You know what? In the South when everyone was crying about immigration, and the lack of jobs out there there are a few farms out in the dirty south that got rid of all their illegal "help" to open up jobs for the "REAL AMERICANS." And you know what. Guess how many "LEGAL AMERICANS" showed up to work in the fields??? 5! And they waited 2 weeks before they called Hector, Juan, and Jesus with all their friends to return to work to finish up! Our lazy fellow American brothers and sisters didnt jump up for the job! Now I had a reason why I was bringing this up, and I totally forgot! I need to go to bed, good night. (Been a long day)
Who cares if it wasnt made here, the uniforms looked stupid anyways, made me proud that I personally was not in the Olympics. lol
Maxx July 24, 2012 at 03:12 am
The comment i made actually happened in October/November of 2011
SBSWZ July 24, 2012 at 04:43 am
uniforms look wussy...designed by a wuss and made by wuss...our Olympians are NOT wuss so should not wear them. Get them Stetsons from St. Jo, Missourah and wear 'em proudly like an American! you can get the shoes and socks from China as long as they look and perform well...or anywhere else in the world...America if you have to.
Kevin - Wildomar CA July 24, 2012 at 07:50 am
Walmart and the 99 Cent stores: Proudly made in the USA. (the stores, NOT the products)
andy July 27, 2012 at 02:56 pm
The Olympics are opening tonight! Any athletes from Wildomar or Lake Elsinore?
Skeptic July 27, 2012 at 10:00 pm
It sounds like some people don't realize we've regulated commerce since our country began. It's not something new that liberals invented to "take away freedoms." We've had times of stricter economic regulation in the past (and btw, much higher business taxes) and business got along just fine. Suddenly taxes and regulation are something new? Apparently, we can have laws about all sorts of things (including our sex lives and who we can marry) but we can't have laws to regulate business! Thankfully, most of Americans understand that we have every right to decide through our democracy that we want some regulations and rules to protect our economy, our workers and our environment. News flash: Just because it has the word "free" in it doesn't mean the free market is a good and desirable thing. It's mainly just a way to force American workers to compete against the poorest, most desperate workers in the world. 4-8 years of a Romney presidency and American workers will have the same living standards as workers in India and China.
John Yang July 30, 2012 at 03:52 pm
SPB - Very insightful comment. At some point (maybe a generation, maybe sooner) manufacturing is going to leave China as well, as China's economy matures and changes. Some of you might remember a few decades ago "Made In Taiwan" or "Made in Japan" was commonly seen in department stores, but no longer. We are already seeing some manufacturing leaving China for southeast Asia. We're seeing economies change from agrarian to manufacturing to other sectors like high-tech and service industries. It's just the maturation of an economy and growth of a middle class, accelerated by globalism.

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Ben June 11, 2013 at 02:04 pm
Niki- yes the plans have been updated to allow Banning and Yucaipa to share in the use of the newRead More ponds. It is an inter-agency plan that is beneficial to everyone. Why you consider having other entities share this project, which bonds us all together: they are paying to help build the new area so we, as ratepayers aren't hit with the whole bill, and we are going to finally get some recycled water into use from Yucaipa, Banning gets new wells, and no matter what- we have ultimate control over the use at all times- how that is a horror story I can't figure out. These plans were in the works for years, it was no secret. Its now being finalized by the board- as the details are now ironed out. The only horror story I see happening is how Beaumont refuses to make an agreement with the district to utilize their recycled water- and its not all the water district's fault like you think. Beaumont can't build unless they find some new sources of water. One of the reasons they pulled out is once they update their wastewater facility- they don't plan on wasting that recycled water just on landscaping . They are going to dump it into the basin itself for the water credit. Beaumont residents have no clue that their drinking water will eventually be more wastewater than water coming down the mountain. Sorry- but I think Fraser is doing a great job. If he hadn't got in there, the district would belong to Beaumont, who would take all the water they want regardless of impact studies, and siphon off all the money for their own uses. Guess you missed their lawsuit in the courts- the courts laughed them out. Beaumont is broke. The water district is financially sound.
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