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The practice of outsourcing jobs formerly held by Americans to foreign countries has been a hot topic this week as Republican candidate for president Mitt Romney is defending himself against allegations that he was still at the helm of Bain Capital in the early 2000s when a major outsourcing took place.
As that debate continues, another incident occurred which will no doubt bring even more scrutiny to this practice as it was discovered that the uniforms for American athletes competing in the summer Olympic games contain “Made in China” labels.
The Olympics are scheduled to begin Friday in London with opening ceremonies at which the U.S. Team will be sporting their Ralph Lauren-designed and China-manufactured red, white, and blue uniforms.
Not only are the clothes foreign-made, they are being criticized as unattractive and far too similar to children’s prep school uniforms, with long sleeve jackets, ties and beanies.
At a time when Americans' confidence in leadership and concerns over the economy are at an all-time high, this incident is simply adding insult to injury. Americans need jobs. Unemployment is at the highest it’s been in decades. The economic outlook is bleak, the job creation outlook is even bleaker, and yet our own country refuses to even support itself.
The U.S. Olympic Committee is privately funded by sponsors, who pay dearly for the privilege, and initially took the stance of “our money, our decision,” but quickly recanted and agreed to ensure that the uniforms for the 2014 winter games are indeed American- made.
The USOC shouldn’t have far to look, as a number of American companies can and have made Olympic uniforms in the past, including Reebok, Levi’s and Champion.
Hopefully, the controversy will not overshadow the Olympics and Americans will continue to support its athletes. But also hopefully, Americans will continue to scrutinize the practice of outsourcing to ensure that “Made in America” labels don’t become a thing of the past.
What We Think
‘Made in America’ matters
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
