Buy American or We’ll Fine You
In some twisted attempt at bolstering patriotism and “protecting the flag,” laws are being passed in many states that require American flags to be purchased from domestic companies.
“Minnesota has passed the strongest measure, a new law that goes into effect at year’s end requiring every Old Glory sold in state stores to be domestically produced. Violations are a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.”
So, in order to protect and honor a supposed symbol of freedom, these lawmakers are going to deprive citizens of, well, some freedom.
Democratic Rep. Tom Rukavina, the law’s sponser said, “Nothing is more embarrassing to me than a plastic flag made in China. This replica of freedom we so respect should be made in this country.”
I can think of something much more embarrassing: How about fining or incarcerating an American citizen for purchasing a flag from a foreign company? He may have some inexplicable respect for an inanimate piece of fabric, but if Rep. Rukavina had any respect at all for the concept of freedom, he wouldn’t have even considered such a deplorable piece of legislation.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Guess where all of those firecrackers are made that we use to celebrate Independence Day. Not in America.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Good point. I’m sure they’d ban imported fireworks too, if it wasn’t so difficult to express our patriotism with American-made fireworks.