American recovery and reinvestment act

[Maggot]

Today I had to fill out a ton of forms for a project that is funded by this. Only American made products are acceptable unless there are no alternatives available. One of the questions was "Was the process performed in the US complex and meaningful?"
I had to name the steel plants,smelters and distributers for strips 1" x 120" 18ga. strips of steel for hanging shit from the ceiling. I can see that this will get a few contractors in trouble as not many things are made in the U.S. nowadays. Thank God and shipping feasability that steel is still made in America. Anyone else have to fill out any of this mumbo-jumbo? Furnaces and A.C. units are made in Mexico today and I am waiting for more forms to fill out.

[Lady Cop]

did the furnace you installed in my house come from Mexico?

it seems a ridiculous amount of red tape to try to support American products and workers. i wonder if some contractors will say to hell with this extra paperwork, worse than IRS forms.

[Maggot]

They all come from Mexico now. That may change in the future. They do give an out on the form but it takes alot of documentation. It's good in one way but bad in other ways as far as documentation goes. But I like that American companies are getting the first shot at this. I am kinda waiting for the other foot to drop saying that only union material will be accepted. I have seen a few jobs go south in that aspect.