FTC: Made In The USA Comments Concerning Joseph E. Murray--P894219

Office of the Secretary
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, DC 20580

To whom it may concern:

"IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT." That is how I feel about your proposal to change the rule governing the "Made in the U.S.A." labeling policy.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 50-year old rule, "ALL OR VIRTUALLY ALL" must be made in the U.S.A. to be able to be labeled as such.

Proof that this "ALL OR VIRTUALLY ALL" rule is working, is to take a look at who is Pushing You to make changes. Those people are the manufacturers who are using a combination of FOREIGN and domestic parts and labor in their products.

The reason they want the changes is simple. GREED, pure and simple GREED. They want to have their "CAKE AND EAT IT TOO."

I belong to an organization called the "BUY AMERICA FOUNDATION." I receive a Newsletter every three months. Here is what it says about your proposal.

"In our view, the FTC’s recommendation and its Orwellian doublespeak amounts to nothing less than a fraud on the American public that will eventually result in even more American jobs lost to foreign countries. Made in the U.S.A. is is a simple, easily understood concept. American consumers have a fundamental right to know the truth; it should be the role of the Federal Trade commission to protect, not compromise, that right."

"If it has become necessary to accommodate international changes in manufacturing and trade, why not simply state the TRUTH? If 75% made in the U.S.A.-or 60% or 90% or whatever the case may be. Tell it like it is. "Made in the U.S.A." should mean only one thing: "THAT ALL OR VIRTUALLY ALL" of the product was made HERE, in the U.S.A. Perhaps all of this is too simple and direct to satisfy the bureaucratic appetite for obfuscation."

There is not much I can add to that other than to say I am going to write every Senator and Congressman I can, to tell them my thoughts on this subject. I am sure you are aware of this statistic, but it is not publicised too much. In 1994 we had a trade balance with MEXICO of +1,350 BILLION DOLLARS. THAT I S A PLUS. In 1996, our trade balance with MEXICO is -15,469 BILLION DOLLARS. That is a negative swing of 16.819 BILLION DOLLARS from 1994 to 1996, and you want help add to this DEFICIT. Thumbs down on your proposal.

Sincerely,

Joseph E. Murray

Joseph E. Murray
290 Meadowlake Drive
Downtown, PA 19335