Let’s celebrate Labor Day by buying American

Let’s celebrate Labor Day by buying American

EDITOR:

Here, in our Valley as the unemployment soars higher and higher, we need to encourage contractors to hire local workers, Americans, citizens of this country.

The Building Trades workers in our area can compete with any skilled tradesmen in the world. They are well-educated, hard-working and dependable. When our tax dollars are being spent building schools, bridges and roads, we should be confident in the safety and quality of the result.

Much of the steel brought into Northeast Ohio for construction is made in China. If American companies had continued buying steel made in America 40 years ago, our steel industry might still be thriving. Even our military’s ammunition is bought from China.

American tire companies are going the way of American steel. Many tires now sold in America are made in China. It’s not high wages or productivity that are a problem. The American workforce is among the world’s leaders in productivity. The largest issue is how other countries subsidize their major manufacturers such as steel and auto.

Our tax revenues are also harmed by companies that bring workers from other countries. Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is investigating unethical contractors who utilize undocumented workers and then fail to deduct and pay state and local taxes. Much of these worker’s income is being sent out of our country causing further harm. Hiring local workers who buy houses, raise families and shop in our stores benefits our communities in many different ways.

It takes some effort to find products still made in America, but it helps our country when we “Buy American”.

As you celebrate this Labor Day, take a moment to reflect on our forefathers and their vision for America. Take a moment to give thanks for all those men and women who fought for the rights we enjoy today and our brave soldiers fighting for our freedom even now. Don’t forget to think of all the people who go to work each day, hoping for a better life for themselves and their kids. Finally, take a moment to think of the many people in need, people hoping for a job and their part of the American Dream. Labor Day celebrates the American worker, remember that as you relax with your loved ones.

BILL PADISAK

Austintown

X The writer is president of the Mahoning/Trumbull Central Labor Council.

A kinder, gentler ‘worst’

EDITOR:

An Aug. 31 letter, “‘Worst’ is a word that hurts,” commented on the use of “worst” in a Vindicator headline about Youngstown schools.

I was also appalled that your paper didn’t sugarcoat the article about the Youngstown school system and its dead-last rating in the state. How insensitive to confirm the truth. You could have implied they finished one step below next-to-the-last.

JOHN K. HODGSON

North Lima