Congress has passed a proposal to require the federal government to purchase only flags that have been completely manufactured in the U.S.

Soon, Old Glory will have to be born in the land of the free and not merely flying over it.

Congress has passed a proposal to require the federal government to purchase only American flags that have been completely manufactured in the U.S. The U.S. imports millions of American flags from overseas, mostly from China, and the sponsors of the proposal said it’s time for American flags to originate in the country they represent.

Supporters of the proposal, led by Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, said the change is more than just symbolic — they believe it will support American jobs and manufacturers while preserving the nation’s most recognized banner.

    • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      253·
      5 months ago

      Yeah but they’re going to spend $10,000 per flag that costs $0.10 to make. Gotta keep lining those contractor pockets!

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
        11·
        5 months ago

        This. It’s probably the same contractor they already use, they’re just going to blow the price up.

        • Krauerking@lemy.lol
          12·
          5 months ago

          Oh yeah spread that assumed pessimism. Everything sucks and nothing is ever even a little good unless it’s perfect.

          Everyone knows that is exactly how the world works. All at once and perfectly, or evil and only for rich people. Boooooo.

          • Maggoty@lemmy.world
            31·
            5 months ago

            You can’t get rid of corruption if you put your head in the ground like an ostrich. The government isn’t going to change contractors unless the current one reports it’s unable to comply with the new law. It is far more likely they will bill the government at a higher rate on a no bid contract they secured because they were already the contractor.

            You can go read reams of fucking evidence about government contracting working like this. You cannot fix something you ignore. And frankly your aggressive defense of willful ignorance is disgusting.

            • Krauerking@lemy.lol
              11·
              5 months ago

              This literally just says the flag manufacturer has to buy all their materials from the US. Instead of half international.

              Did you actually read it?

              And that corruption is a different story. That can and should be looked into but this literally just makes it so someone else can sell them a dye. Or a fucking polyester thread they import. Who the fuck cares you currently can’t get rid of the manufacturer. But now they have to hire an American to supply and work for them.

              Neither of us have the power to fix the next thing yet but it’s movement. Stop only caring about getting a perfect victory and go for a walk.

              • Maggoty@lemmy.world
                11·
                5 months ago

                Yes. And the federal government cannot force private companies to do this. So this is literally just for flags the government buys. Which means a GSA contract. Which probably means someone like KBR or Halliburton. Now we already have a ton of oil and cotton. So that’s not exactly coming back from off shoring. We also do a ton of textile already. 530,000 people. So we’re probably just ordering the colored nylon cotton blend from them. What’s left? What’s actually new? Putting the flags together. Which is ten people and the right machine. Okay maybe it’s 20 or even 50.

                Stop giving us crumbs and require all government contractors to source the majority of their stuff from the US and have a majority of American employees, across the board.

                No you’re sitting here telling us to be grateful we grew a sector by 10 people to make a rich person richer and make sure the Americanism is maximum Americanist.