Dear fellow Americans, We are a group of ordinary concerned citizens who have come together and developed this platform to improve our quality of life, to stop blatant government spending and to secure the future for our children and the generations to come. Even though we are a nation built on descended immigrants, a” melting pot “so to speak, we are now and above all Americans first. We are proud of our heritage but some how over the past few decades our American culture, values ethics and religious beliefs have been diminished. This is our country, our homeland where generations have fought and died for our freedom, both here and abroad. We have only to look at our daily lives and acknowledge that our quality of life is deteriorating and fast. The middle class is being squeezed by a complacent congress that waffles on issues, fails to pass and meaningful legislations and bickers constantly. We must stand up, Speak up with one voice and advocate change Real change is required to move our country forward. We can no longer leave change to our elected officials they have a poor track record. It’s easy to sit in our living rooms and leave decision making up to others. Obviously this has not worked; neither congress nor the presidency has been working in our best interest. The time is now, the time has come for us to come together and form a broad grassroots American movement. A majority that will demand accountability. The choice is ours. We are not a nation of sheep or are we? Together we can change and restore America. We are inviting you to add to this platform, it is a living document and your thoughts and ideas are welcomed.
Oppose Changes and Expansions to the Buy American Act
Background:
The Buy American Act of 1933 requires the federal government to buy American-made goods wherever possible. A product is defined as American-made if at least 50 percent of its constituent parts and/or materials originated in the US. The Buy American Improvement Act seeks to strengthen many provisions, tighten definitions, and shut down exceptions to the original Act.
AGC Message:
Interferes with Competitiveness of American Contractors at Home. If a contractor bids a project using potentially more expensive American-made products, they are gambling that other contractors’ bids include that same cost. The provision in the Buy American Improvement Act that seeks to address this problem is woefully inadequate. It only gives preference to domestic bidders (or bidders using domestic products) where the company’s offer is “substantially the same” as an offer made by a company that does not include American-made products. If American products turn out to be substantially greater in cost, the contractor that uses them will be less competitive.
Interferes with the Competitiveness of American Contractors Abroad. Preferential treatment for American-made products here will encourage reciprocal action abroad. Contractors who do business overseas could lose business on projects they otherwise would have been competitive on.
Increases Costs by Artificially Constraining the Supply Chain. By altering the definit ...
