Make cell phones in America
Over 300 million Americans, or 97% of the American people, have a cell phone and use it daily. Although the first cell phone was made in the United States, foreign countries quickly came forward to offer the mass production of the cell phone at a lower cost and now 90% of all cell phones sold in America are made in foreign countries. America’s manufacturers should have immediately focused on making cell phones in America since the cell phone was invented and first made in the United States.
Thirty years ago, they stated the cell phone industry would employ millions of American workers as production grew. During the last 30 years, Americans were mainly employed installing cell phone towers and operating stores for people to come in and purchase cell phone services. Today, the research and development of new products and services are done by foreign employees, while Americans are customers of cell phones and other products first invented and made in America.
At first it was thought only a small portion of the cell phones would be made overseas with the majority being made in America. However, we now see how this one product has caused a major loss of jobs for American workers and a major loss to America’s economy. The key to this message is the American people need to help American workers by focusing more of their buying power on products made and serviced by American workers.
One important way our supporters have been helping the American-made cause is by looking for and asking for American-made products, and by making their concerns known to the managers and store personnel where we shop. The goal of the Buy American Made Campaign is not to lose the production of any more products presently made in the United States to foreign manufacturers who continue to look for every way possible to keep their people employed.
Kindly spread our message to your family and friends. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Email them to Michael@AmericanWorkersRadio.com.
Michael Blichasz
Thanks for the memories
As an 85-year-old lifelong resident of South Philly, both on or near Passyunk Avenue, I was very moved by the nostalgic report by Mary Anna Rodabaugh in last week’s paper about Antoinette Taylor’s family from my neighborhood (“From Italy to St. Nick’s: A family’s South Philly story,” Aug. 5).
So much of this story about a local Italian-American family sounds familiar to me. My own father, Nicholas Cipollini, was born in Italy in 1900, and arrived in America in 1913, the same year that Taylor’s grandmother, Kay Canonica, was born in Italy. My own mother, Mary De Sanctis, was born in South Philly in 1909 to Italian immigrants.
My mom’s family lived on the 1600 block of Passyunk Ave. as part of Annunciation BVM Parish, right next to St, Nicholas Parish where Antoinette Taylor grew up. My father was from Norristown, met my mom on a blind date, married her in 1939 in Annunciation Church, and moved in with her and her parents. Living with parents was normal in a time before Social Security or welfare.
The following year, my twin brother Daniel and I were born, baptized in Annunciation Church and grew up on Passyunk Avenue. The interesting fact is that, like Taylor’s original family, my brother and I attended school in the same building that was once the Wilson public school until it became Annunciation BVM School. Our parish had to find a bigger building to take in all the children of immigrants filling our parish. Oh, and we didn’t have any tuition since we were taught by all Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And, by the way, we also had to walk home for lunch every day.
Really, this historic piece brought back tons of memories. I was the only member of my family who stayed in South Philly and am still attending Mass at Annunciation Church. Our school was sold decades ago. Lots of changes. Instead of a large Italian American population, today’s South Philly neighborhood is a melting pot of families from all over the world.
I was just happy to read a piece that brought back so many cherished memories. Like Antoinette Taylor, I have many similar stories! Thanks to her for sharing!
Gloria C. Endres
