Editor, Times-Union: Ms. Boyer and I seem to be facing similar dilemmas. She wants the option of deciding what type of light bulbs to buy. I don’t really care much about light bulbs but I would like the option of buying a light bulb, something, or anything made in America. Politicians of both parties and the corporate media tell us that globalization is really a great idea because we can buy lots of nifty, quality made stuff on the cheap. My experiences have led me to the conclusion that the items are neither good quality nor cheap. My Toshiba TV lasted 18 months before I had my first repair bill of $200. My Black and Decker made in China coffee pot didn’t make it a year. Its replacement also made in China fails to keep the coffee hot. My new $4,500 Symplicity lawn tractor, whose point of origin is questionable, is a hunk of junk. It rattles and pings and rides like a tank. After two years the gas gauge has quit working. My previous Symplicity lasted 20 years. This bucket of bolts won’t make it 10. My made in Mexico heat pump ran for one winter before it developed bangs, rumbles, and groans, and sucked up enough electricity to power a small city in addition to blowing cold air. The factory representative informed me this is completely normal. So I guess the first year was an anomaly. At any rate I quit using it because I didn’t want to burn to death in my sleep. American companies have turned their backs on American workers and have bought enough politicians of both parties to rub salt in our wounds by giving tax breaks for shipping our jobs overseas for slave labor. Take a look around your home. How many items bear the Made in America label? I’m guessing precious few. No clothing, footwear, appliances, linens, tools; things Americans use every day. Therein lies the answer to what has happened to the American Dream and why the middle class is becoming extinct. Americans no longer make things that Americans need. I would be perfectly happy to pay extra for a quality product and I would like the option to do so, but corporate America has made sure I don’t have that option. In an unrelated matter, I would be perfectly happy to have a referendum on gay marriage if we could also have referendums on the Right to Work (for less) law and this insane bi-annual time change hell that we must endure every year. Janet Collins Etna Green, via e-mail
