Capitol Hill Agreement

Perhaps the most talked about topic in Washington D.C. is that of the inability of the democrats and the republicans to come to any kind of consensus on any matter, that is until recently.  

With the Summer Olympics quickly approaching, Ralph Lauren unveiled the uniforms Team USA are to wear during the opening ceremony.  Representatives from both parties were quick to note that the uniforms were made in China, and promptly criticized the U.S. Olympic Committee for dressing the U.S. team in Chinese manufactured berets, blazers, and pants, while the economy still struggled with unemployment.  

"It is not just a label, it's an economic solution," said Rep. Steve Israel. 

In other words, if you are trying to build a house, just use duct tape.  I guess fixing this country's problems is as simple as making clothes for a few Ken dolls. 

While I can kinda see the point they are trying to make, I am struggling to see the consistency in their argument.  For example, have they not looked at the list of sponsors that are supporting the U.S. Olympic team?  

I was watching the swimming trials and was intrigued by one of the commercials that aired.  It was a BMW spot, stating that it was a proud sponsor of the U.S. Olympic team.  Last I checked, Bavarian Motor Works was a German car company.  Why is GM, a U.S. government owned car company, not the official car sponsor of the U.S. Olympic team?  Looks like you dropped the ball on that one, D.C.

Then there is BP, British Petroleum, the company responsible for destroying the gulf coast.  What in the world is a destructive foreign oil company doing sponsoring the U.S. team, when its citizens are whining about high gas prices? 

And then there is AtoS, the French IT company.  A quick look at their website shows that they are always looking for opportunities for outsourcing, a sore subject in D.C.  But aside from that, it's a French company.  Are we encouraging our athletes to just give up?  Sounds like the French Nike slogan.  

And speaking of Nike, another sponsor, at least it is an American company.  However, most of its products are made in...China. 

So while i can vaguely understand the rhetoric coming from Capitol Hill, the inconsistencies are laughable at best.  

Perhaps the most telling statement came from Sen. Israel when he wrote, "there is no compelling reason why all of the uniforms cannot be made here on U.S. soil at the same price..."

Why should clothes made here cost the same as it does when made elsewhere and shipped here?  Maybe if D.C. were to stop blaming Ralph Lauren for the economic woes that has plagued this country, and create policies and business environments friendly to domestic productivity, perhaps those labels would eventually lead to an economic solution.

But what do I know, I've never tried constructing a house with duct tape.