FTC: Made In The USA Comments Concerning Craig George Blanchette--P894219 SidaMerica LLC Sourcing International
Distribution And Materials Fax 860-429-9657 June 08, 1997 Elaine Kolish Dear Elaine Kolish, I am very interested in the FTC policies regarding the "Made in the USA" usage. As an emerging entrepreneur and new business developer, I recognize the need for greater accountability; upon the marketing strategy to utilize "Made in the USA" image as a positive selling tool. Encouraging marketing programs to include "Made in the USA" as part of a sell campaign will not benefit consumers with delivery of the truth. The American 'Medical Waste Tracking Act' passed during the 1980's has benefited society by preventing contamination; non-disclosed, uninvited, undocumented medical waste. The data and information available to the public has been enhanced by this 'Medical Waste Tracking Act' legislation. A "Made in the USA" tracking act, designed to collect trade statistics within accurate category and multiple category construction, would provide the "Made in the USA" criteria with clear evidence for all to freely examine. Government should not seek to endorse the existence of "Made in the USA" products unless all the facts are true and all the data are fully available for private evaluation. Consumers seek to identify good quality and reward the truth with clear communication to the manufacturer. Who is the manufacturer? "Made in the USA" should be limited to the truth: factual disclosure, documented evidence, unadulterated truth. Consumers participate in a disposable society and vote with their dollars. Unfortunately, narrow trade statistics do not provide broad information upon which informative purchase decisions can be based. Deception makes it difficult to collect reliable, "Made in the USA," product-registration information. Government bureaucracy should not define intellectual concepts for the private sector. Truth is. It is important to know the product characteristics that I purchase everyday: "Made in the USA", designed in the USA, fashioned in the USA, assembled in the USA, crafted in the USA, sewn in the USA, etc. I demand to know the origin of all the components within every product that I buy; to know the full data picture, not just the minimum government requirement: date of manufacture, the specific employee, and the environmental damage caused during the production of each and every product. "Made in the USA" should be a privilege, not a right. This is an intellectual property and I lay my claim down upon my own piece of the American dream. I refuse to accept any American government plan making it easier to earn the "Made in the USA" privilege. Compliance requires a level playing field. Traditional trade has lost status-quo. Small firms can more efficiently exploit the already diminishing competitive and comparative advantages. Lost traditions suffer, fail, and die. Permit the efficient trading specialists to emerge in their product specialty niche. Limiting the definition scope and preserving the value parameters of "Made in the USA" will protect the future with greater accountability. FTC professionals must further consider truth and integrity of "Made in the USA" before establishing their position. Please send me FTC information before the August 11, 1997 decision. Sincerely, Craig George Blanchette Craig George Blanchette1997.06.08 |