Jobs Are, in Fact, Returning From Overseas: Maybe All of Obama's 2012 State of the Union Ideas Aren't So Far-Fetched

Obama's 2012 State of the Union address contained many proposals for improving the economy. It's one thing to have big ideas, but it's another to be able to implement them. Although I'm skeptical about most of his overly-ambitious suggestions, I've noticed that one of Obama's plans has progressively been turning into a reality: bringing jobs back to the United States.

Obama cited the successful turnaround of the American auto industry and its factories returning from overseas as an example of domestication's positive effects on the economy. Upon hearing this, I agreed that the auto industry was a success, but I didn't think that other outsourcing companies would feel the need to follow suit. With tax benefits for sending work overseas, in addition to cheaper labor, why would anyone want to bring their company back to the U.S.?

However, I keep seeing more and more instances of companies moving jobs back to the country. The Rock Center published an article on Jan. 15 about companies moving back to the U.S. from China. According to the article, rising costs for fuel, shipping, and Chinese labor are causing the transition. The article cited examples of companies transitioning to insourcing, such as a North Carolina furniture manufacturer:

Earlier this year, Bruce Cochrane reopened factories in North Carolina for his new furniture business, Lincolnton Furniture. The factories were once used for Cochrane’s family’s furniture business until the company’s work was moved to China. After realizing the benefits of moving back into the U.S., Cochrane built a business back where it all started. He even rehired people who had previously worked for the family business.

Hearing about companies like Lincolnton Furniture makes me feel more optimistic about where the American economy is headed. I would love to see more jobs being brought back from overseas to provide work opportunities for American citizens, thus lowering the unemployment rate and helping restore the economy.

For more information about U.S. manufacturing returning from China, read the Rock Center article at the following link:

http://madeinusanews.com/2012/01/15/made-in-america-trend-against-outsourcing-brings-jobs-back-from-china/

- Olivia Davis

Virginia's Sunday Hunting Ban is Hurting Business

The ban on Sunday hunting stems from “blue laws” established in colonial America intended to prevent trade and other activities that conflicted with observance of the biblical “day of rest.”   The other activities included opening a store for business, drinking alcoholic beverages and tilling fields.  I believe the ban on hunting should be repealed, as the blue laws are both irrelevant and economically deprecating.

Declining interest in hunting has been a huge issue in Virginia, with license sales down 50% since 1974 and still dropping.  Many attribute this to the lack of access for blue-collar workers, many of whom are working 5-6 days a week, making Sunday their only viable day to hunt.  In turn, those hunters also have little time to teach the next generation how to hunt, yielding even lower license sales in the long run.  Some Sunday hunting coalitions estimate that nearly 2,500 jobs would be created or have workers hours increased if Sunday hunting were allowed in Virginia, with estimated economic output in the hundreds of millions of dollars.  Think of the additional nonresident hunting licenses that could be sold if hunting lodges could sell weekend packages to their customers, not just Saturday hunting deals.  Furthermore, a repeal on Sunday hunting would increase sales on guns, ammo and hunting clothing and accessories.


Therefore, it is my recommendation to the Governor that he sign all wildlife management authority over to the Virginia Department of Fish and Game.  As an entity free of taxpayer dollars, they will be able to make more accurate rulings on Sunday hunting. During these tough economic times we should be looking at any and all ways to raise state revenues without taxing the citizens more, by allowing Sunday hunting we take a strong step in that direction.

-Bryan Kloster

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