Now, while the majority probably believe the contract should be given to an American firm, others don’t really care because almost everything you purchase these days is “Made in Foreignland.” In this case, an American company was awarded the no-bid contract and had to subcontract the manufacture of the crystal because there aren’t any domestic companies that meet the “no lead” requirements. In this case, Sweden’s pride in crystal goods, Orrefors was selected and will be hand manufacturing much of the custom stemware.
Remember, most of the electronic equipment you use everyday is made in Asia; so are most of your clothes. It doesn’t make any sense to raise your voice about stemware “Made in Sweden” when the majority of your belongings are imports. The thought is romantic, though far from realistic to demand an American Embassy be equipped with 100% American made products. After all, many of America’s companies have been shipped over seas anyway.
I have a question: Are all US embassies around the world built with bricks and concrete made in the USA? How about the steel, electric cables and plumbing? You could take it further and demand that all soil an embassy is built on be shipped in from the USA also. It is already considered US soil anyway. Of course I’m being ridiculous but I’ll be getting to my point shortly.
Americans take pride in all things American. As it should be. But when you think about it do they really? What is more American than equality? Equality in education, health care, the right to work in a job you love, the right to own a home in a safe community. The list goes on.
The timing of this purchase couldn’t be worse. There are more than 30 million Americans out of work, more than 46 million without health insurance. Nearly 40 million people live below the poverty level or are considered “poor” and the statistics on education are so skewed, I don’t what to believe. It seems to me the American government has its head for priorities up its proverbial ass and this $5 million contract is just a small drop in the bucket of excessive spending and waste.
I think the discussion here should be WHAT that $5 million dollars should be spent on, not WHERE.
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Wow!
And you’re Swedish? You’d expect this argument to come from middle America. I agree, the real question should be why the money is being spent on crystal so some poncy diplomat can drink champagne in style. And I’ll bet its French champagne to boot.
I know $5 million is a piss in the Mississippi compared to the national deficit but you have to start somewhere.