American Flag Made Overseas
China Profits From Our Patriotic Hearts, Soldiers' Blood
When Betsy Ross sat down with George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross in 1776. The four discussed Betsy sewing together the first American flag, and shortly thereafter the Star Spangled Banner was born.
Today the ghost of Betsy Ross is restless as America's flag is being sewn overseas and then imported to the United States. China is the last Communist giant, and was once a sworn enemy of America yet they lead the world in exporting the Stars and Stripes.
In 2003 the US imported six million dollars worth of flags from the rest of the world with the Chinese contributing $4.5 million to the imports. Another statistic of interest is that in 2001 flag imports topped out at $51.7 million with $29.7 million coming from the Chinese. In the four weeks following the tragedy of September 11th 2001 the US imported $34.8 million worth of American flags.
A question arises. Why is the United States allowing something so sacred to be produced by foreign nations? It is bad enough that American businesses are taking American jobs overseas but must we pledge an allegiance to the flag made in China?
For the past 10 sessions of Congress a bill has been introduced prohibiting the import of American flags, and for the past 10 sessions of Congress none of the bills introduced have ever been considered by any committee in the House of Representatives.
Our troops are fighting and dying today for the thing the American flag represents, democracy and freedom. They are not voluntarily going to war to allow foreign governments to profit from American patriotism. Thousands have not died in past conflicts, under the American flag, to give the Chinese the right to produce an American flag.
The Bush administration is facing a projected $140 billion trade deficit with the Chinese in 2005. You can be sure the Republicans are looking to even this out. With most Americans being unaware of just where their flag was produced. It is easy for the administration to quietly allow the continuing imports of the flag from China. A possible reason for allowing this type of import could be the Bush administrations desire to have an open trade agreement with China. With a population of well over one billion China offers a huge, and largely untapped market, for American business. The U.S. only accounts for 8.2% of China's imports a number Bush would like to increase greatly. Putting a ban on China importing American flags to the United States might not sit too favorably with the Chinese.
Representative Ted Strickland from Ohio is the lone sponsor to H. R. 2410, a bill that prohibits the importation of foreign-made flags. Why no other elected leaders have endorsed this legislation poses a simple question.
Why?
The next time you have to purchase a flag try to make sure it is an American made one. There is no need to allow a nation like China, a communist nation, to make money off a symbol they would gladly see disappear.
Many of you are riding the wave of patriotism by supporting our troops with a ribbon magnet. Do you know where that magnet was produced? Once again the Chinese are making money off our patriotic hearts and our soldiers' blood.
Post 9/11, and in our current state of war with Afghanistan and the Iraqi insurgents, we are all feeling patriotic. The sight of bloodied soldiers and flag draped coffins sears unsettling images into our souls on a nightly basis. Remember that ache you feel for our troops and country the next time you need to buy a flag or magnet.
For once, check the label, and buy American. A soldier is bleeding right now for your right to be able to buy anything in a free country.
Bless Them All.
Today the ghost of Betsy Ross is restless as America's flag is being sewn overseas and then imported to the United States. China is the last Communist giant, and was once a sworn enemy of America yet they lead the world in exporting the Stars and Stripes.
In 2003 the US imported six million dollars worth of flags from the rest of the world with the Chinese contributing $4.5 million to the imports. Another statistic of interest is that in 2001 flag imports topped out at $51.7 million with $29.7 million coming from the Chinese. In the four weeks following the tragedy of September 11th 2001 the US imported $34.8 million worth of American flags.
A question arises. Why is the United States allowing something so sacred to be produced by foreign nations? It is bad enough that American businesses are taking American jobs overseas but must we pledge an allegiance to the flag made in China?
For the past 10 sessions of Congress a bill has been introduced prohibiting the import of American flags, and for the past 10 sessions of Congress none of the bills introduced have ever been considered by any committee in the House of Representatives.
Our troops are fighting and dying today for the thing the American flag represents, democracy and freedom. They are not voluntarily going to war to allow foreign governments to profit from American patriotism. Thousands have not died in past conflicts, under the American flag, to give the Chinese the right to produce an American flag.
The Bush administration is facing a projected $140 billion trade deficit with the Chinese in 2005. You can be sure the Republicans are looking to even this out. With most Americans being unaware of just where their flag was produced. It is easy for the administration to quietly allow the continuing imports of the flag from China. A possible reason for allowing this type of import could be the Bush administrations desire to have an open trade agreement with China. With a population of well over one billion China offers a huge, and largely untapped market, for American business. The U.S. only accounts for 8.2% of China's imports a number Bush would like to increase greatly. Putting a ban on China importing American flags to the United States might not sit too favorably with the Chinese.
Representative Ted Strickland from Ohio is the lone sponsor to H. R. 2410, a bill that prohibits the importation of foreign-made flags. Why no other elected leaders have endorsed this legislation poses a simple question.
Why?
The next time you have to purchase a flag try to make sure it is an American made one. There is no need to allow a nation like China, a communist nation, to make money off a symbol they would gladly see disappear.
Many of you are riding the wave of patriotism by supporting our troops with a ribbon magnet. Do you know where that magnet was produced? Once again the Chinese are making money off our patriotic hearts and our soldiers' blood.
Post 9/11, and in our current state of war with Afghanistan and the Iraqi insurgents, we are all feeling patriotic. The sight of bloodied soldiers and flag draped coffins sears unsettling images into our souls on a nightly basis. Remember that ache you feel for our troops and country the next time you need to buy a flag or magnet.
For once, check the label, and buy American. A soldier is bleeding right now for your right to be able to buy anything in a free country.
Bless Them All.
Published by Matthew Thompson
Matthew Thompson is a freelance writer and researcher. Matthew writes for children and adults. He has been published in newspapers and magazines. View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentOur troops pledge algiance(forgive the spelling) to this flag. They salute this flag they honor this flag and they are buried with this flag. And we cant give them the dignity and respect to make it in the very country that they are fighting for. what is the world coming to sometimes believes morales and respect should out way the all mighty green that apparently we honor more.
this country is shit..its going to the dogs
I agree - The American flag should be made in America, and that's that. Outsourcing it to other places deteriorates the value of the symbol.
However, I take offense to your "There is no need to allow a nation like China, a communist nation, to make money off a symbol they would gladly see disappear." As a Chinese American myself, I don't believe that this statement is true. China IS slowly improving, and there is nothing any of us can do but let it reform. Pushing it too hard will let out all the political struggles magnify itself. We must look to the future and work together - all of us.
Please don't say that line anymore.
I had the sad occasion of performing the evening collors aboard the USS COLE a few months ago and noticed that the flag I had just hoisted down was made in China. Every day I was reminded of the sailors that had lost their lives, only to be truly disappointed in the fact we cannot even make our own flag any more becuase of profits. If you own a company that out outsources to china then don't live or buy property in America.
DAMN STRAIGHT JIM!!!! I have been a firm advocate for the removal of any of our nations symbols, mascots, icons, and any other related patriotic paraphanelia from being produced overseas anywhere! Our symbols and things we fight for, lose family and loved ones for, and recognize in salute and honor should NEVER EVER be allowed to be produced anywhere but here, and that should go for any country, state, or territory. As far as respecting our soldiers, I also second that! I am not a veteran and have not served, but that is not to say I don't believe or respect those who are or have. They sign up knowing there is a damn good chance they will be involved in a "Conflict" which is a BS term, they are wars. Small or large, bloodshed = war. Our families are torn, spirits may be battered, but our people OWE it to these men and women to show them respect! Our politicians choose who they fight and where, not us or them, so NEVER under ANY circumstance should anyone disrespect the soldiers in any
Where have all the USA Flags gone? Where are those guys with the pickup trucks with two flags steaming from the rear acting as though they were the 7th Cavalry.
I remember the television spots where they would show streets lined with USA flags as if every day were the 4th of July. Everyone wanted to volunteer for military service. Are we bored with the retribution aimed at terrorism. My hat is off to Jim. Pay it forward brother. Buy American!!!
It seems odd to me that as I drove 4 miles to work I counted 8 flags 2 were Irish 1 Italian; the rest faded rags from days gone by. I would like to hear from the folks as to what they feel today.
I have just received your request for a donation to the USO. Enclosed was an American flag. I am a former member of the USMC. I fly an American flag, on a 20'commercial flagpole, 24/7/365. My flag is made in America by the Annin flag company. I am absolutely shocked to see the USO sending out flags made in China. I support our troops not the Chinese. If my contributions are going to support China, quite probably our future adversary, I respectfully request you remove my name from your mailing list. You will save the postage as I will not open any mail from the USO. Recently my wife and I were on vacation in Key West Florida and I met an active duty marine and his fiancée at a Tikki bar. I made sure when he left his bill was taken care of by me. At the Airport 2 soldiers were having dinner and I informed the hostess that I would cover their meals but not to tell them who paid. I will always pay my respects to our service men and women when I can. As a Vietnam vet I know how it i
Basic Patriotism: Make your nations flag within your own nation. We're not talking about a pair of sneakers here. It's the American flag.
Hold up a second. This patriotic-driven legislation is not in our best interest. Basic economics: If another country can more efficiently produce something, it's to our advantage to let them and import it from them. It's called competitive advantage and it benefits everybody.