Bush Campaign Gear Made in Burma.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the controversy regarding the production of campaign merchandise for the Bush/Cheney 2004 campaign, specifically clothing made in Burma (Myanmar). Participants explore the implications of outsourcing to countries with questionable human rights records, the political ramifications, and comparisons to the Kerry campaign's sourcing practices.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the irony of the Bush campaign selling clothing made in Burma, given the administration's ban on goods from the country due to its military dictatorship.
  • Others argue that outsourcing to countries with poor labor practices is a common Republican strategy.
  • A participant expresses concern about the need for a better business climate in the U.S. to encourage companies to hire domestically.
  • A letter from a merchandise supplier apologizes for the distribution of foreign goods and asserts that corrective actions have been taken to ensure future compliance with "Made in USA" standards.
  • Some participants compare the sourcing of campaign clothing between Bush and Kerry, with one noting that all Kerry campaign clothing is made in the USA.
  • Another participant questions the relevance of Kerry's clothing sourcing compared to his foreign investments, suggesting a shift in focus from the original topic.
  • A later reply dismisses the issue as a non-issue, indicating a range of opinions on the significance of the controversy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions, with some viewing the issue as significant while others consider it a non-issue. There is no clear consensus on the implications of the outsourcing practices discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference a specific incident involving a supplier's mistake in distributing foreign goods, highlighting the complexities of compliance with sourcing regulations. The discussion also touches on broader themes of outsourcing and political accountability.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in political campaign practices, outsourcing issues, and the ethical implications of sourcing goods from countries with poor human rights records may find this discussion relevant.

Chemicalsuperfreak
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[http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzsell0319,0,4764348.story?coll=ny-business-headlines]

Turns out some clothing labeled "Bush/Cheney '04" that is being sold by the Bush Campaign has been made in Burma (Myanmar). Presumably they get larger profit margins from the Burmese cloths, since Burmese textile workers get paid about seven cents on the hour. But they main problem is, the Bush administration banned the sale of goods from Burma a year ago because of the country's tyrannical military dictatorship.

You will recall this won't be the first time a Bush had some clandestine business deals with foreign tyrannical military dictatorships.

Hopefully the irony that it was a "fleece" "pullover" is not lost on anybody.

And if you're curious, all the campaign clothing in the Kerry campaign is made entirely in USA.
 
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Outsourcing to dictators is the Republican way!
 
Can't stop private companies from outsourcing through any other means except creating a good business climate here, in which it's a better choice for them to hire Americans.

However, I think this is a slap in the face, as much as I think it's sick that the pentagon needs 'buy american' bill to get our own government to look to US contractors first.
 
LETTER TO CAMPAIGN FROM MERCHANDISE SUPPLIER
Fri Mar 19 2004 13:26:53 ET

Mr. Tom Josefiak
General Counsel
Bush Cheney '04 Inc.

Dear Mr. Josefiak:

I am writing to apologize and accept responsibility for the recent distribution of foreign goods in our Bush Cheney '04 merchandise program. We take great pride in providing this service to your campaign, and at your request have worked with our vendors to distribute goods that have been made in America.

Unfortunately, in one of our recent shipments, a vendor inadvertently supplied us with foreign goods, and our own company did not discover this mistake before distribution to the public. The purchase orders for these items included a statement specifying "Made in USA products." (See attached document). We received an acknowledgment from our supplier substantiating that it was their factory mistake. (See attached document).

We have already reviewed our entire stock of items and have pulled from inventory all foreign products. Of the 60 fleece jackets in stock, only two were from Burma. According to best estimates by our supplier, less than a total of ten items from Burma were shipped to the public. We have taken corrective action to assure this will never happen again. We are a small company employing 40 workers and take pride in the professional services provided by our hard-working American families.

Please accept my sincere apologies for this error and let me assure you that all necessary steps have been taken to guarantee that all future shipments will contain only American made products.



Ted Jackson
President, Spalding Group

I'm less curious about where kerry buys his clothes then I am about his foreign investments...which he's still mum about.
 
Originally posted by Chemicalsuperfreak


And if you're curious, all the campaign clothing in the Kerry campaign is made entirely in USA.


Even that ironed work jacket he was wearing while buying a jock strap at a sporting goods store on camera? ;)
Point 1 for Kerry.
 
Originally posted by kat
I'm less curious about where kerry buys his clothes then I am about his foreign investments...which he's still mum about.
Uh huh...whatever. Try getting on topic.
 
Thanks for the info, Kat...this is obviously a non-issue.
 

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