President Barrack Obama visited Milwaukee's Master Lock factory, Wednesday, February 15th, to praise the manufacturer for bringing back to America approximately 100 jobs from China. The President put Master Lock on a pedestal during his last 'State of the Union' address to serve as an example for other American companies.
Several local dignitaries, including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Congresswoman Gwen Moore, along with several union leaders, were in the audience. Governor Scott Walker did not attend.
Master Lock CEO, John Heppner, took the stage opening with 'Hey Master Lock we did it!' Next, Heppner made a joke that he was worried the President might come back a Republican after touring the plant, an equal amount of cheers and jeers were expressed. Heppner mostly thanked employees and expressed his pride in their work and dedication.
Master Lock employee, Deandre Jackson, was chosen to introduce the President. Jackson proudly stated, 'we have the right formula, we have the right ingredients and the right recipe to bring jobs back to this plant and to this country.'
'This company has been making the most of a huge opportunity that exists, right now, to bring jobs and manufacturing back to the United States of America', said President Obama. He also brought up the pain of many jobs going overseas and not returning, however, Obama urged us not to sit back and settle for a lesser future.
The President reminded the crowd about how the auto industry was on the verge of collapse when he took office, 'Some folks said we should let it die, with a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen', proclaimed Obama, 'Today, the American auto industry is back and General Motors is once again the number one auto maker in the world!'
'Over the last few years it's become more expensive to do business in countries like China, meanwhile, American workers have become more productive', proclaimed the President, 'for the first time since 1990 American manufacturers are creating new jobs.'
Obama asked, why not put Americans to work if the cost of doing business is almost the same as it is in other countries? Other Wisconsin companies following Master Lock's lead in insourcing jobs include Milwaukee's Diamond Percision and Collaborate Consulting in Wausau. Obama promised to bring business leaders, mayors and governors together to accelerate this trend.
President Obama brought up the current tax code that gives deductions to companies outsourcing jobs overseas while those that stay in America get hit with some of the highest tax rates in the world, 'If you're a business and want to outsource jobs you have that right, but you shouldn't get a tax cut for doing it. That money should be used to cover moving expenses for companies like Master Lock who decide to bring jobs home!'
"No American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. Every multi-national company should pay a basic, minimum tax and every penny should go toward lowering taxes for companies who stay and hire here in America!', Obama passionately proclaimed.
'If you're an American manufacturer, you should get a bigger tax cut. You should get help financing a new plant, financing new equipment, finding new work. It is time to STOP rewarding companies that ship jobs overseas and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in the United States!', the President stated with strong conviction.
'Congress should send me these tax reforms right now, I'll sign them right away, right now!', promised Obama.
The President praised companies, like Master Lock, that invest in employee training to improve worker's skills to better compete in the global market.
Obama closed that he empathized with those who have been out of work since the recession hit and assured we are on the right track, 'This has been hard on our folks, it's been hard on our country. It's going to take some time before middle class American's regain a sense of security. A lot of these factories moved out long before the recession, outsourcing has been going on for more than 20 years. But over the last 23 months, businesses have added nearly 3.7 million new jobs, manufacturing is coming back, we are starting to bring jobs back. I've got no doubt we will rebuild this economny so it lasts. We will create more success stories like Master Lock.'
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