‘Made in America' no more

To the editor: We Americans have been allowing our economic structure to become eroded through no fault but our own. The passing of the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) brought about an exodus of American manufacturing jobs that will be hard to regain domestically. So many of the items that were traditionally made in America are now being imported from south of the border and the other side of the world. Not that it is wrong for developing countries to aspire to become part of the affluent society, but it should not be at the expense of the American worker. The illegal alien problem that exists in America has brought to the public eye a reminder that we Americans have gotten passive in our quest of attaining the great American dream. Let us ask one another if we are not encouraging the illegals to come here and take full advantage of us. How many of us patronize businesses that use undocumented labor? Do you use a landscaper, a house painter or someone who employs day laborers without regard to citizen status, fair wage requirements or income withholding taxes? How about patronizing restaurants that have the bulk of their back room support staff coming from countries of unknown origin? Ask the proprietor of that business and the answer you will often hear is “ no one else wants the job” or “these people will work their butts off for you.” Take a look around and you will find that many of these jobs could be filled by unemployed Americans. It seems to me that a change in personal ambition and self esteem has taken place in America and not for the better. With many of the give-away programs available for the asking, some people have the feeling, “why should I work, I make more sitting at home collecting a freebie check?” America! Come on let’s wake up before it is too late. Many of us were not part of the “greatest generation” but let’s not allow history to someday call us the “dumbest generation.” Stanley E. Lupinski Warwick