Stimulus? U.S. to buy Chinese condoms, ending Alabama jobs

[dbackjon]

Call it a condom conundrum.

At a time when the federal government is spending billions of stimulus dollars to stem the tide of U.S. layoffs, should that same government put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products?

In this case, Chinese condoms.

That's the dilemma for the folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has distributed an estimated 10 billion U.S.-made AIDS-preventing condoms in poor countries around the world.

But not anymore.

In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.

The switch comes despite implied assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible.

"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move,” said a USAID official who spoke on the condition that he would not be named. But he said the reasons for the change included lower prices (2 cents versus more than 5 cents for U.S.-made condoms) and the fact that Congress dropped “buy American language” in a recent appropriations bill.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64577.html

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Call it a condom conundrum.

At a time when the federal government is spending billions of stimulus dollars to stem the tide of U.S. layoffs, should that same government put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products?

In this case, Chinese condoms.

That's the dilemma for the folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has distributed an estimated 10 billion U.S.-made AIDS-preventing condoms in poor countries around the world.

But not anymore.

In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.

The switch comes despite implied assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible.

"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move,” said a USAID official who spoke on the condition that he would not be named. But he said the reasons for the change included lower prices (2 cents versus more than 5 cents for U.S.-made condoms) and the fact that Congress dropped “buy American language” in a recent appropriations bill.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64577.html

Isn't there a medical consideration about the questionable quality of Chinese goods?

[dbackjon]

Call it a condom conundrum.

At a time when the federal government is spending billions of stimulus dollars to stem the tide of U.S. layoffs, should that same government put even more Americans out of work by buying cheaper foreign products?

In this case, Chinese condoms.

That's the dilemma for the folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which has distributed an estimated 10 billion U.S.-made AIDS-preventing condoms in poor countries around the world.

But not anymore.

In a move expected to cost 300 American jobs, the government is switching to cheaper off-shore condoms, including some made in China.

The switch comes despite implied assurances over the years that the agency would continue to buy American whenever possible.

"Of course, we considered how many U.S. jobs would be affected by this move,” said a USAID official who spoke on the condition that he would not be named. But he said the reasons for the change included lower prices (2 cents versus more than 5 cents for U.S.-made condoms) and the fact that Congress dropped “buy American language” in a recent appropriations bill.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64577.html

Isn't there a medical consideration about the questionable quality of Chinese goods?

Should be

[Appaholic]

What a dilemma? Will the bible belt bemoan the lose of American jobs in Alabama or celebrate the lack of American complicity in birth control?.....what to do, what to do.....

[Col Hogan]

Is there truely a "safe" decision here??????

[UNI88]

It's all part of an evil government plot. Outsource the manufacture of the condoms to China where they will use substandard materials causing impotency in many of the users thereby reducing population growth in third world nations and saving the planet in the long run.

[dbackjon]

It's all part of an evil government plot. Outsource the manufacture of the condoms to China where they will use substandard materials causing impotency in many of the users thereby reducing population growth in third world nations and saving the planet in the long run.

You are overestimating the brain power in Washington

[UNI88]

It's all part of an evil government plot. Outsource the manufacture of the condoms to China where they will use substandard materials causing impotency in many of the users thereby reducing population growth in third world nations and saving the planet in the long run.

You are overestimating the brain power in Washington

Where do you think they're testing the condoms?

[mass fan]

Made in China, must be real small condoms.

[grizzaholic]

Do people in Alabama even use condoms...or are they reserved for when they are sleeping with someone outside their family?

[dbackjon]

Do people in Alabama even use condoms...or are they reserved for when they are sleeping with someone outside their family?

They just make them. Don't use em!

[grizzaholic]

Do people in Alabama even use condoms...or are they reserved for when they are sleeping with someone outside their family?

They just make them. Don't use em!

Gotcha