After it was announced that Ralph Lauren would once again be creating the outfits worn by United States Olympic athletes during the opening ceremonies in London, members of Congress are now upset the clothing will be made in China. Here’s what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had to say about the blunder:
“I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again. If they have to wear nothing but a singlet that says USA on it, painted by hand, then that’s what they should wear.”
Here's what the LA TIMES reports,
"A similar controversy arose in 2008, when Reuters reported Team USA’s uniforms, again designed by Ralph Lauren, were made in China.
The current uniform controversy comes amid this week’s declaration of a “Make it in America” initiative, unveiled by Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer on Wednesday, a combination of legislation on building up infrastructure, simplifying Internet regulation, adjusting tariffs and more.
Then there's the proposed All-American Flag Act, which would mandate that American flags purchased by the federal government would be made domestically, in response to a census bureau report that revealed $3.6 million was spent on importing flags in 2011."
This year's uniforms can be seen on Ralph Lauren’s site, available as a full set for men at $1,945, and $1,473 for women.
What do you think of all of this? Big deal or much ado about nothing?