Imports Claim Another Victim

My heart sank today after reading about a town in Nevada that will cease to exist (zip code and all) after June 20, 2011. The town was called Empire and was once home of the United States Gypsum Corporation. They have operated there 100 years and produced drywall. They are a fortune 500 company. People will say because of the slump in house building the company had to close the plant - I blame the imported drywall. Does anyone remember the news about all the toxic Chinese drywall that they used in those newer homes in Florida? Why were those builders using imported products to begin with - Oh yeah - the price was cheaper. Cheaper because of the lower standards and now people have lost their homes and have serious health problems as a result of their builders greed and our GOVERNMENTS negligence. That's right - I am blaming the government on this one. WHY does the government allow sub-standard products in our country? Why do American businesses have to live up to such a high standard to protect the US citizen and then the government allow toxic imports in. Double standard?   If we are going to get poisoned then why not by other Americans - at least that way the money would be in our country and we wouldn't be in a recession - or here's a better idea - why not make the imports coming into our country be at American standards - then at least the prices would be even and the American businessman would catch a break - as well as our country not being over run with health issues.
Want to cut health care ???  KEEP POISON PRODUCTS OVERSEAS - our country needs to turn it's nose up to these cheap plastics and protect ourselves from the damage they cause to our bodies.
We have to change our spending habits now and quit KILLING our country in every way possible.
Empire, Nevada - my heart breaks for you. United States Gypsum Co. is reportedly helping the town with free housing, etc...  It is nice to hear someone trying to do their part to help fellow Americans - Isn't it time we do ours and sacrifice the pleasures of imported doo dads and buy what we really need from local vendors and American made if possible?  KNOW where your money goes - even when you bank - who owns the "American" companies we buy from?  Find a locally owned gas station and start using it for God's sake - WE OWE THIS TO OUR KIDS - they would rather have a country to grow up in than a cheap plastic Chinese toxic toy!
Amanda Schalau
Average American