`Buy American' being pushed for the Pentagon

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Mon, Jul. 07, 2003

`Buy American' being pushed for the Pentagon
TECH PRODUCTS WOULD FAIL REQUIREMENTS, INDUSTRY SAYS
By Heather Fleming Phillips
Mercury News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Patriotism is sweeping the halls of Congress after the fight against terrorism and Iraq. So what better way to promote U.S. industry and protect the homeland than requiring the Pentagon to purchase more American products?

At least that's the intent of legislation passed by the House last month. The 2004 Defense Authorization Bill would strengthen ``buy American'' laws, requiring the Pentagon to purchase products with at least 65 percent U.S.-made parts. Current regulations on Pentagon purchases require that at least 50 percent of a product's components be made domestically.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-San Diego, is the force behind the latest ``buy American'' legislation. ``Having a dependency on foreign countries for our military resources is not in the best interest of America's national security policy,'' explained Hunter spokesman Michael Harrison.

But the technology industry says the requirement is impractical, even ludicrous, because what tech product today does not have a significant amount of foreign-made parts? (snip/...)

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/6248859.htm

[teryang]

1. This is a response

...to the flood of American military dollars being in foreign markets in support of misguided colonialism. The world is awash in Pentagon funny money.

:-(

[dbt]

2. Bill will pass overwhelmingly

And will be utterly impossible to implement. CNNFocks will report said vote with great fanfare and flag-flapping graphics. Morans will cheer and Murka will sleep better tonight, knowing our Elected Representatives have done the Right Thing.

:grr:
dbt
Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?

[AntiCoup2K4]

3. And what, exactly, does "Buy American" mean anymore?

Is it buying from US based corporations who manufacture their products in Asian sweatshops using 5 year old kids for labor?

Toyotas and Hondas are made in America, Nike shoes are not. But the corporations who make products in America are based in Tokyo.

So which is it?

[JNelson6563]

4. I think that in this

case it will mean Carlyle will handle the transaction.

Julie

[stickdog]

5. The bottom line is US jobs.

Not US parts.

What a stupid implementation.