Commercial patriotism
Since 9/11 the USA has been in an odd mindset, a sort of lethargic patriotism. For many people sticking a flag or yellow ribbon on their car is a simple gesture that they support the troops or are feeling patriotic about their country, but are otherwise free to go about their daily business. I appreciate that I am very over cynical regarding this form of patriotism and I fully accept that there are millions of folks that care deeply about the troops, donate money or even their own time to sign up in the reserves, and are willing to put real money beyond the $5 for a yellow car ribbon. My post today is not to pass judgement on individual folks.
My beef today is how commerce has jumped on this bandwagon. I wonder just how much the manufacturers of those annoying car flags made and I would like to be reprimanded with evidence that significant portions of the income from the sale of those flags went to worthwhile causes.
Consider a hose we just bought - the HydroHose. The box proudly touts “Original American technology.” and has the obligatory US flag on it. Now we all know that given the patriotic mood that the country is in, putting a little flag on the box is a sure-fire way to sell something, right? I really hope that this hose was designed in the USA because the box goes on to show that it was “Made in China”. Wow, HydroHose are so proud of their American roots that they decided to use cheap Chinese labour instead of giving nice American people a job. There’s a double message right there on your box, folks.
I saw a fancy jug the other day with a nifty sealing lid. The sticker also had an American flag on it and declared “All American”. OK, but what’s this on the bottom… “Made in China.” What part of “All American” allows it to be made in China? Given the current imperialistic views of Washington perhaps the USA is setting its sights on bringing China into the Union?
Corporations of America… please do not insult us by your patrotic labelling when you would rather give our labour to Asia. If you really want to be patriotic, employ Americans and lower your own corporate salaries a little, knowing that you really, honestly, are doing your bit for America.
