Obama’s Labor Boss Tries to Buy American, Ends Up Buying Canadian

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Steve Stanek

Steve Stanek is a research fellow at The Heartland Institute and a former managing editor of two Heartland publications, "Budget & Tax News" and "Finance, Insurance & Real Estate News." Stanek's articles have appeared in numerous local, state and national publications since he began writing for Heartland in 2003, and he has been a frequent guest on local and national radio and television programs discussing government budget and regulatory issues.

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Labor Secretary Hilda Solis this week said she bought a Chevy Equinox to help American auto workers and the US economy. Trouble is the Equinox is built in Canada. And many of the parts are made in Canada.

Here’s the US News & World Report take on the Labor Secretary’s apparent gaffe:

“Solis proudly arrived at a media breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor today in the shiny silver vehicle, which she has dubbed the ‘bullet.’ She was asked about why she traded the standard-issue limo for the SUV. ‘What better example could I set if I encouraged my staff to go and purchase and seek how we could acquire a vehicle that would for me would send a signal that we’re for supporting our American workers, American-made products, fuel efficient as well,’ she told the Monitor’s Dave Cook, who provided this video of her answer.

“Solis added that she was inspired to buy the Chevy because of the pride she saw in American auto workers during trips to U.S. car and truck plants. She said that she was wowed by ‘the pride that they take making our automobiles here in America.’ “