Dec 10, 2003 3 min read

I recently received a sales flyer from a nationally known department store advertising Christmas gift items. As I leafed through the pages, I noticed that 98 percent of the items were imported. This is something that grabs my attention, since my husband is a steelworker whose employer, Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, has been severely affected by imports. We really try our best to buy products that are made in the USA because we believe in supporting the industries and businesses that employ local residents, giving them a decent wage on which to raise their families. But buying USA-made products is becoming next to impossible.

With “dollar” stores on every corner, and the retail giants importing the majority of their products from outside the USA, our choices are severely limited, and it is likely that this trend will increase, especially with NAFTA and free trade negotiations, and President Bush’s decision to eliminate the steel tariffs.

An excellent example of the general apathy and/or ignorance to this situation is an acquaintance of ours, who is worrying that he and his son will lose their jobs in the steel mill now that the steel tariffs are gone. What is truly ironic about his situation is that he, his son, and his wife all own imported vehicles, made with imported steel. He and his family are contributing to the potential loss of his livelihood. But he doesn’t see the connection.

I realize that these dealerships employ local residents; however, the profits are not staying in the USA. They are returned to the various foreign countries and governments who subsidize the manufacture of steel, and other products, and pay substandard wages to their employees, who work under conditions that we cannot imagine.

Americans need to wake up and see what’s happening before it’s too late – and it may already be too late. Every imported product that we buy is a nail in the coffin of an American worker and his family, and of our joint future.

Buy American.

Katherine B. Petrosky

Belle Vernon

Penalized for asking questions

On Oct. 20, I attended a monthly meeting at the Bobtown Rod and Gun Club. As a lifetime member, a situation was brought upon the floor concerning a cleaning contract.

My first concern is that the contract was voted on by the directors of the club when the members did not have any say in the situation.

It is my understanding that five people should not control the club. I believe the 400 to 500 members have that right.

When I tried to ask the president to see the contract I was refused. When I asked a second time, I was told I was out of order. The third time I was told I would be removed from the club.

The president let the meeting get so out of control he broke the gavel and declared the meeting closed.

Now I am being penalized for actions at the chaotic episode, and I believe I am being treated unjustly and unfairly.

Pauline Laskody Boden

Bobtown