Associated Press – July 4, 2007:
What’s red, white and blue — and made in China? A move is on in state legislatures to ensure that the flags folks will be flying and buying this Independence Day were made on this fruited plain.
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.
Whether Minnesota’s law violates international trade agreements — and whether anything would be done about it — is an open question.
I am sure this free trade restriction pisses of the Republicans.
But I am sure Betsy Ross is happy.
Of course it violates free trade. Just like Bikini Flag Wearing is base, vulgar and disrespectful.
Thous shalt not worship any graven images. (or whatever!)
Interestingly, you don’t need a law to accomplish this. All you have to do is CHOOSE to buy from a US manufacturer, and many exist. They cost a couple dollars more. I only buy from the ones that clearly state that every aspect of the flag was manufacturered here.
Of course, why expect people to choose when you can get the government to choose for them, right? Just another way to let the man run your life…
Bobbo: flag bikinis are not disrespectful. Flag *images* are not against law or tradition: wearing ACTUAL FLAGS is.
I’m sure the moment they’ll have to pay $100 for a flag the size of a notebook things will revert back to normal.
#2 bobbo, spoken like a true Republican.
Sieg Heil all Republicans.
Class, now stand in allegiance
Pure nationalistic populism.
Who gives a shit about flags? Or nations, for that matter? It’s embarrassing enough being homo sapiens.
3–Good point. But what is “an actual flag?” If I make a flag myself is that an actual flag? If I just make the star field, is that an actual flag?
So the same bikini made of parts of flag images is not disrespectful but the exact same indistinguishable thing made from a larger whole flag IS disrespectful????
When you find yourself dancing on the head of a pin with the Angels, the issue may not be as simple as you thought. OR – conversely, maybe there is no issue at all, just prejudices and unthinking behavior.
Can a state even pass laws relating to international commerce? They can decide whether to spend state money on Chinese-made flags, but they cannot impose a trade barrier on another country. Interstate and international commerce are the exclusive domain of the federal government. Right?
Now, I suddenly want a Chinese-made U.S. flag. Maybe a box of them, just because big brother says I can’t.
9—States can pass such laws. They get ruled unconstitutional before the Roberts court that is.
So, maybe the rule should be you can wear or burn a US Flag if it is not made in the USA? That too makes sense to me. Its not a flag if its not made in the GOUSA–its just an image of a flag.
Great idea! A step in the right direction to everything NOT being made in China…
What about “Made in USA by Chinese sweatshop workers”?
9–Can a state even pass laws relating to international commerce?
The law only applies to sales of flags within the State of Minnesota. The Minnesota Legislature clearly can pass laws applying to Minnesota.
1–I am sure this free trade restriction pisses of the Republicans.
Actually, most of the Republicans in the Legislature voted in favor of the bill.
Flag made in the USA, but
the fabric?… made in China
the ink?… made in China
the screen printing machine?… made in China
the sewing machine?… made in China
the needles and thread?… made in China
#13 Tim Bonham I tried googling the vote tally by party. I didn’t find it.
Please provide the link to support your claim
“Actually, most of the Republicans in the Legislature voted in favor of the bill.”
some people need a dose of reality
I like that chick better than all but 3 of the bikini chicks. Am I going gay?
#17
Nope, it means you like to f*ck chickens
Nothing wrong with this. The scary thing is the enormous amount of things that are made in China. Kiss your computers and high-tech gadgets goodbye if we ban China imports. Although I would love to see some severe limiting of importing implemented.
So now states are setting trade policy? How about we also pass a law that says all cars sold in state must be manufactured in America. And all TVs too. Hey, how about all computers must be manufactured in America, and all phone calls must be placed on phone lines run by US companies, and all IP phone calls must use US software?(goodbye skype, hello GoogleTalk?)
#20, Mike
So it doesn’t piss you off that Wal-Mart only sells flags made in China. Please tell us why you hate America. C’mon Mike, explain why you love China more then America.
I can understand why some people are traitors. I just want to hear your excuse.
Oh ya, great idea.
For some time now I have really wondered why these red necks around here display their Chinese made magnets. For the same reason they also have Confederate Flag license plates or decals on their 4X4 pick-ups.
Effen losers, the SOUTH LOST THE FRIGGEN WAR.
Is this about flags or is it about dissing China? What about flags made in Mexico? Brazil? What about all the other foreign products integrated into the “Made in USA” items. A good portion of your Fords and Chryslers are made offshore. Why only pick on Walmart? Why arent Americans starting up battery, or sewing thread factories? Are you willing to spend $8000 for a 3 ghz standard box computer? Does anyone even make flags in the USA?
It’s too late fellas. You’re in it deep and you’re in it for the long haul.
Actually, this is a bad law.
This just adds more bureaucracy to the free market and probably really doesn’t accomplish anything useful other than score some points for doing something trivial for someone’s re-election campaign.
What really needs to happen is not protectionism, but rather other countries should reform their labor (some of the developing countries could really use unions).
But hey, we all like the cheap products those countries make. Oh well.
Too bad they didn’t go a step further and say that all American flags have to be made by American born workers, using locally grown hemp and locally sourced natural dies…. then the liberals and the conservatives could all be happy….
Minnesota, The Land of 10,000 Taxes — alternately — The Land of 10,000 Laws
Also known as the state where nothing is allowed.
Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV. And the most British thing of all?
Suspicion of anything foreign
$1000 bux and/or 90 days in jail? Are you kidding?
Lesse….driving drunk in my state gets less than that on the first TWO offenses.
And I’m sure the punditry here can find worse.
$1000 bux for a foreign made flag. Un-frikin-real.
The NPR report yesterday on this issue conflicted with the AP report. That report said that public institutions could not buy foreign made flags. If that’s the case, I don’t care.
If the AP report is right, then I agree with most that its a bad law.
But its also a flag, which I’ve never got all misty about. I care more about the nation that I do the symbols of the nation and I care far less about what the duly elected officials of Minnesota do on behalf of Minnesota because I don’t live there anymore.
I for one would vote for American Made only for underwear. Who wants those foreign cooties all over the place?