Senator’s Hatch & Bennett,
I run a software company in St. George, UT. We sell primarily to companies that make things with computers inside them. Like cars, cell phones, airplanes, and almost any other “smart” product made in America. Approximately 1/3rd of our revenues come from overseas – from companies like Siemens, Nokia, Airbus and LG Electronics. Roughly 50% of our sales come from companies that export goods from the US – companies like General Electric, Boeing and Honeywell.
I’m very concerned that the “Buy America” provisions will disrupt export markets and the companies that rely on them.
Each morning I arise to orders and questions from Europe. Before I go to bed I see orders and questions from the Far East. All of these companies rely on selling in their internal markets and also to the US.
Hurt them and you hurt me and the high paying, community enriching, high benefits jobs I provide in St. George.
While it is tempting to take a hit of what Richard Fisher, head of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, calls “economic crack”:
"Let me just be blunt. Protectionism is the crack cocaine of economics. It may provide a high. It’s addictive and it leads to economic death,"
The best thing Americans can do is to reward the best product. Wherever it is made. And to then know that America and American’s will thrive on such competition.
And the best thing you can do in the coming days is to vote down this stimulus bill.
Thanks,
Ken Nelson
St George, UT
P.S. It was disturbing to NOT see your name among those rejecting earmarks.