There is a movement afoot for US/U.S. to “buy American.” The last time I ran  into this was when the Japanese car makers started exporting to US/U.S.  I lived in the rust belt that was heavily dependent on the carmakers. Bay City, Michigan.

I didn’t work for an automaker, didn’t care to buy a new foreign car, so this didn’t really effect me much. The movement got very quiet for a a lot of decades, but now it’s back.

Over 700 governing bodies have introduced some kind of “buy American” legislation. So far 107 towns, cities, counties, states, etc have adopted this as official policy. The steelworkers are pushing this movement hard.

USW members have introduced more than 700 resolutions across the country and are working hard every day to ensure U.S. tax dollars are kept at home to create good jobs at home.

But don’t think this movement is just about buying American made steel.

And let’s not forget the stimulus package and the infamous “Buy American” provisions, which mandate that any company receiving government funding has to use “made in America” goods, such as iron and steel. The stimulus legislation also restricts companies receiving bailout funds from hiring foreign workers and restricts those firms receiving Trouble Assets Relief Program (TARP) funds from hiring foreign nationals holding H-1B visas unless they can prove they could not hire U.S. citizens instead.

How far are you willing to go to support your employer? Is there a dollar threshold, or level of responsibility within the company/business  that establishes loyalty?

Are you being disloyal if you work for:

• Microsoft and buy an iPod?

Ballmer was then asked whether he or his family own any Apple products, to which he explained to the audience that he was particularly brand-loyal.

• Arby’s and eat at Hardee’s?
• GM and drive a Toyota?

but nobody is trying as hard as the Big Three to win back the acceptance of the public. Currently, Ford, Chrysler, and GM are bending over backwards to get new customers, offering zero-percent financing, and up to $3,500 cash-back on some of their most popular models.

• Best Buy and love Buy.com?
• a local merchant and shop online?
• the steelmill and buy beer in aluminum cans?
• a coffin company and are cremated?
• Louisville Slugger but play Cricket?
• Jim Beam but drink Canadian Club?
  

Those last few examples are the problem I have with “Buy American” plans. I like american workers. But I know a few unamerican workers and they seem to be OK. I think NAFTA has worked out alright. Smallburg sends assault rifles to Tacoville, and Tacoville sends us Cocaine and Heroine and dangerous, polluting trucks.

Bottom line: government is inept and enforcing regulations. Two Words: A.I.G. Bonuses. (Or is that five words?) Making “Buy America” a caveat to the stimulus package was woefully wimpy by The Fresh President. But he is getting wimpier and wimpier by the minute.

He referred to Washington D.C. as American Idol except everybody is Simon Cowell.

We all know that Washington D.C. is Sesame Street and everybody is a muppet, just not a cute.

UPDATE: If you buy a Mercedes are you Buying American?

Mercedes-Benz, defying a worldwide decline in auto sales, is preparing to expand its U.S. assembly plant.

The plans, which have not been formally announced, include a $290 million investment at the Vance, Ala., factory that will allow Mercedes to build more vehicles.