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Joe’s “Shop American” is a Mistake — And, Costly for Everyone
“When the federal government spends taxpayers’ money, we should use it to buy American products and support American jobs“ — Joe Biden
When shopping for multigrain in my bread, spring in the mattress or awesomeness of Artificial Intelligence, I want the best! — well, the best I can afford that is. I’m genuinely interested where things are grown, cooked and designed because I have a quirk in me that wants to know. But beyond my go-to’s of Italy for sensual design, New Zealand for tasty cockles and Iran for great women engineers, I have no favorites. It’s about getting the best out of my American Express.
Now, why should my spending principle be tossed when I give my money to a proxy — the US Government? OK, the Federal wallet is $4.8 trillion and I am just one contributor, but surely the same principle applies — getting the best deal for the dollar. This includes knowing exactly what product we are buying. Soldiers, bridges and broad-band sound like stuff to hold us firm, cross rivers and stay connected — but when spending spreads to the buying of fairness, goodness, patriotism and protectionism? These needs may be worth it, but should at least be examined for what they are — and, definitely given price tags.
