Use American-made material

By Leonard Herscovitch, Las Vegas

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 | 2 a.m.

I have noticed in recent weeks construction being performed on public works projects in Las Vegas in which the contractor is using equipment (primarily excavating equipment, but I have also seen other equipment) made in a foreign country, most notably Japan. Thus, our tax dollars are being used to subsidize the Japanese economy.

First, I think the contractor should be ashamed of him or herself. Do they not have any patriotism or does the almighty dollar trump that?

Second, I think it is about time the city, county and state governments pass laws prohibiting the use of equipment and/or supplies not manufactured in America for construction of any project in which public funds are used.

Alternatively, tax breaks could be used as an incentive to use only American-made materials and equipment, but it is more important to keep Americans employed in the U.S. than people in foreign countries.