Being from Alabama, I could not resist posting this article. Moreover, if ever there were any doubts about how hard-hitting and far-reaching the economic downturn is in the country, as well as, the impact of the new global economy, this story captures it perfectly.
For a roughly 3 cents saving per condemn and because Congress removed "Buy America" language from the recently passed stimulus bill, USAID is taking its business to China!
As a result, 300 individuals in tiny Eufaula, AL are SOL after decades of service.
WOW
Stimulus? U.S. to buy Chinese condoms, ending Alabama jobs
Reported on McClatchy (3/23/09)
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64577.html
By Mike McGraw of the Kansas City Star (3/22/09)
http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1100966.html
Call it a condom conundrum.
At a time when the federal government is spending billions of stimulus dollars to stem the tide of U.S. layoffs, should that same government put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products?
In this case, Chinese condoms.
In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.
That's the dilemma for the folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has distributed an estimated 10 billion U.S.-made AIDS-preventing condoms in poor countries around the world.
But not anymore.
The switch comes despite assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible.
"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move,” said a USAID official who spoke on the condition that he would not be named. But he said the reasons for the change included lower prices (2 cents versus more than 5 cents for U.S.-made condoms) and the fact that Congress dropped “buy American language” in a recent appropriations bill.
Showing posts with label Alabama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alabama. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A Call to Service - Some Answer More Often
Ok, there seems to be a Southern thread through today's posts. But I am very sensitive to this particular post having served in the Alabama Guard and Reserves for 11 years. These guys/ladies are true heroes who have been placed in harm's way more than they probably can ever understand. God Bless them and their families.
Going back to the previous post, I hope members of their families are not having to deal with the unemployment insurance situation in their absence.
Alabama sixth in nation for Army National Guard soldiers who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
By Tom Gordon of the Birmingham News (3/12/09)
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/metro.ssf?/base/news/123684580073100.xml&coll=2
The number of Army National Guard soldiers from Alabama who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is the sixth highest in the nation, according to the latest Pentagon figures.
At the end of January, 7,250 Army National Guard soldiers from Alabama had served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, which is the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan. The states with higher numbers than Alabama were Texas, with 12,288; Pennsylvania, 10,181; California, 10,155; Indiana, 7,736; and Illinois, 7,410. Most of the Alabama Guard soldiers who deployed were members of Alabama National Guard units, but some were in units from other states.
Pentagon figures also show that nationally, the number of Alabamians in Guard and Reserve units who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars - 13,609 - is the 11th highest.
California, with 36,116, is first, followed by Texas, with 30,982. Four other Southern states are ahead of Alabama: Florida, with 20,383; Virginia, 18,929; Georgia, 16,650; and North Carolina, 15,245.
All of the states with higher totals have larger populations than Alabama. Also according to the Pentagon, 1,601 Alabamians who are Air National Guard members have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. That total is the nation's 13th highest. This year, about 1,600 Alabama Army Guard soldiers are expected to deploy to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Going back to the previous post, I hope members of their families are not having to deal with the unemployment insurance situation in their absence.
Alabama sixth in nation for Army National Guard soldiers who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
By Tom Gordon of the Birmingham News (3/12/09)
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/metro.ssf?/base/news/123684580073100.xml&coll=2
The number of Army National Guard soldiers from Alabama who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is the sixth highest in the nation, according to the latest Pentagon figures.
At the end of January, 7,250 Army National Guard soldiers from Alabama had served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, which is the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan. The states with higher numbers than Alabama were Texas, with 12,288; Pennsylvania, 10,181; California, 10,155; Indiana, 7,736; and Illinois, 7,410. Most of the Alabama Guard soldiers who deployed were members of Alabama National Guard units, but some were in units from other states.
Pentagon figures also show that nationally, the number of Alabamians in Guard and Reserve units who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars - 13,609 - is the 11th highest.
California, with 36,116, is first, followed by Texas, with 30,982. Four other Southern states are ahead of Alabama: Florida, with 20,383; Virginia, 18,929; Georgia, 16,650; and North Carolina, 15,245.
All of the states with higher totals have larger populations than Alabama. Also according to the Pentagon, 1,601 Alabamians who are Air National Guard members have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. That total is the nation's 13th highest. This year, about 1,600 Alabama Army Guard soldiers are expected to deploy to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
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