I was just writing a post on my blog about how difficult it is to be red, white and blue and green at the same time, which is what the planners of the Democratic National Convention are finding out. The more I think about it, though, there are quite a few options in my industry (promos) that are environmentally-friendly, but made in the USA and union made products are limited.

Now many folks who know much more than I have already written about this, but I still wonder, isn't it about time to stop pretending that buying made in the USA goods helps America? Over the last 15 years, suppliers in the promotional products industry have shifted almost all production overseas, mostly to China (although they do still print and embroider domestically). This has reduced costs, and our industry has prospered. 

So even though the average American has benefited greatly from globalization, when it comes to Presidential campaign promotion and a select few other (often political) uses, made in the USA promos are in high demand. Maybe it's time for candidates to drop the pretense and proudly use made in China campaign baseball caps and buttons.