I can't believe it. After all the Chinese-made toys being recalled for months, now it's gotten down to Boy Scout badges. Good grief!
A plastic Cub Scout badge has been recalled because it, too, is reported to contain excessive lead paint. Since when did manufacturing get so bad in the United States that the Scouts decided to get their merit badges from China? China, mind you!
"Our highest priority is the safety of the boys," said Gregg Shields, spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America. Really? Well where were you, Gregg, when someone was deciding whether to start buying Scout badges from China? This is crazy.
First millions of toys are recalled for excessive lead paint and now Scout badges. Where will it end?
The only good thing is that maybe now people will begin to look for the "made in America" label again. Remember that? Once upon a time it was a slogan for Union clothing makers, but no one was paying attention. Now, even the Scouts are feeling it.
Okay, so the UAW goes on strike every once in a while. No big deal, if anything in the last few weeks shows us, it is that they aren't very serious. But China? Come on! Somewhere along the way US manufacturers decided to save a buck by shuttering US plants and setting up new factories in China. You know. Save a buck and raise the price a buck and the next thing you know, there's two extra bucks profit for the Board of Directors and CEO to get a raise or gold-plate their parachute if the company gets bought out. And who will buy out the company? Probably the Chinese...
So this Christmas, do yourself a favor. Look for the label. You know. The one that says "made in the USA." And think about the jobs you are giving to your neighbors instead of someone in Shanghai. "Made in USA" can mean quality again. Lord knows it probably means fewer recalls.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known nationwide as a leading Lemon Law attorney, Ronald L. Burdge has represented literally thousands of consumers in "lemon" lawsuits and actively co-counsels and coaches other Consumer Law attorneys. From 2005 through 2018, attorney Ronald L. Burdge has been named as the only Lemon Law Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine and Thomson Reuters Corp., Professional Division. Burdge restricts his practice to Lemon Law and Consumer Law cases. The Ohio Super Lawyer results are published annually in the January issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Ronald L. Burdge was named Consumer Law Trial Lawyer of the Year 2004 by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the nation's largest organization of consumer law private and government attorneys. "Your impact on the auto industry has been magnified many times over because of the trail you blazed for others," stated NACA's Executive Director, Will Ogburn. Burdge has represented thousands of consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere since 1978 and is a frequent lecturer to national, state and local Bar Associations and Judicial organizations. Burdge is admitted to Ohio's state and federal courts, Kentucky's state courts, and Indiana's federal courts. Other court admissions are on a "pro hac" temporary, case by cases basis.