Here's some of the Times response:
USW Local 1010 President Tom Hargrove and his fellow Democrats are getting desperate.
Recently Hargrove took it upon himself to twist the facts behind Hammond City Councilwoman Kim Poland's no vote on a February 2009 resolution titled "Resolution in Support of President Obama's Economic Stimulus Program."
The resolution had nothing to do with "Buy American." In fact, that provision was stripped from the final stimulus bill signed into law by President Obama.
Her vote was not against a "Buy American" provision but instead against the overall spending of the stimulus proposal. So far she's been proven right. A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 52 percent of respondents believe the stimulus has had no effect on our economy.
We might never know whether Hargrove made these misleading statements of his own accord or received marching orders directly from the Lake County Democratic Party, but his argument is without merit.
Councilwoman Poland encourages everyone to buy American-made products to ensure economic stability in our region. She is a hardworking and dedicated member of the Hammond City Council and will continue to work in the best interests of her constituents even in the face of baseless attacks from Democrats.
First, let me say good for Ms Poland for standing up for herself, and for Americans who are just beginning to see how bad this Stimulus Bill really was for our long term economic recovery. Second, although the Lake County Republican Party may be trying to play nice with the unions, I would go on to suggest the "Buy American" theme is also faulty. How about the "freedom to buy" the best products and services? How about competition is the great equalizer. We have no right bad mouthing other countries for "dumping" when our government is handing our companies cash in the trillions.
The unions in Northwest Indiana should remain focused on positive growth, job creation to actually build and redevelop communities ... but stay away from job protection through international gamesmanship.
