The Hill News

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to Apple’s manufacturing operations overseas -- the company now make almost all of its products outside of the United States. It is inspiring to see innovators such as the late Steve Jobs create an incredible business success story. However, Apple’s offshore factories also highlight the effects government mandates can have on a company’s decision to “outsource” part of their operations and hire workers in other countries as opposed to here in the U.S. 

Unlike Apple, many businesses are unable to move overseas to cut costs, and still choose to create jobs within our borders. We must consider new ways to treat these truly local American businesses that directly serve consumers. Imposing costly mandates on these companies will not drive them offshore, but out of business altogether. Unfortunately, President Obama’s health care law will do just that.

We are thinking of the men and women who took a ri! sk to start, build, and staff the millions of service industry establishments across this nation. From hotels and motels, to restaurants and retail stores, these businesses and their workers are punished by mandates because they provide services directly to U.S. consumers -- something that cannot be “offshored” to reduce costs. Neither a good night’s sleep for a weary traveler nor a hot cup of coffee on the way to work can be imported.

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