Competitive products restore jobs
We have been discussing at length the importance of expanding manufacturing in America. Many products continue to bear the names of American corporations, but they are no longer made in the United States and we need to urge businesses to restore no less than 50% of everything now sold in America with an American-made label once again. We do that every time we seek our American-made products.
It is clear that a growing number of Americans are shopping with the intent of looking at labels and asking for American-made products. After considerable research, we find that for the price we are paying now for items with foreign-made labels, we could be purchasing a competitive American-made product for the same cost. This would allow us to get more Americans employed again.
Our research also indicates that one of the major difficulties in restoring America’s industries is that business owners and investors have focused on huge profits derived from foreign labor on products that are able to be sold in America for larger profits.
What is very interesting is that foreign producers are seeing for themselves that America’s importers are making a lot more money than the businesses and people being employed in foreign countries. As a result foreign producers continue to raise the cost of their products to America’s importers, which raises the cost to America’s consumers.
Inflation and the rising prices for foreign products has increased the willingness of America’s businesses to bring back production of their products to the United States, which would expand the American-made label and employ people in the country where we live.
Kindly continue to spread the word about the Buy American Made Campaign and don’t hesitate to send me your suggestions to Michael@AmericanWorkersRadio.com.
Michael Blichasz
The importance of the arts
What a pleasure to read the Review’s Around Town report on the $1.5 million 2024 Illuminate the Arts Grant recently introduced by the city (“City launches $1.5 million arts grant,” Aug. 21).
As a retired public school teacher, I fully understand how important it is to foster creative thinking through the arts. Students get a better grip of difficult concepts when they are presented in artistic ways. I can still recall teaching all about rain forest animals and plants by guiding my students to paint a mural. Better than lecturing them. Art allows them to express their ideas without depending only on words.
I am so impressed at the way the Creative Philadelphia and the Illuminate the Arts Grant Committee offers a variety of funding for individuals as well as arts organizations, especially in disadvantaged communities. They are offering grant money to these artists and arts organizations with the strong intention of giving them true encouragement while enriching the communities in which they work.
The report outlines the scope of the grants and how they will help individuals as well as organizations. Grants from $1,000 to $7,000 will be awarded according to need and eligibility. Thanks to the South Philly Review for including their contact information. Here it is again: Email creativephi@gmail.com or call 215-906-5873.
So bravo to Creative Philadelphia and the Illuminate the Arts Grant Committee for encouraging creative enterprises that lift the quality of life of all our citizens, especially in communities of color.
Gloria C. Endres
