Many people who are old enough to remember know that a strong manufacturing base was the story behind the success of the American economy.

During the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and through some of the ’80s, manufacturing jobs were the backbone of this country’s economic strength. Most people are aware that is not true today.

The United States has had a a significant shift in its manufacturing base to foreign countries. For example, I received a fall catalogue from a well-known company in Freeport. That catalogue contained 76 specific items (many items come in many different colors, so I counted only the item itself, not the different colors or sizes). Of the 76 items, only eight, that is right, eight, were made in the USA. All the rest were listed as imported.

Few listed the country of origin (people can guess where they were made).

I suggest that the next time someone is ready to make a purchase, look at the label; think about the price of the product being considered; think about how cheap the cost is for the company selling the product; then ask, am I saving any money because this was made in a foreign land, or are the sinful wages being paid in many of those countries just boosting the bottom line of the merchandiser?

Paul Parquette, Lewiston