Made in China

Wonderful -- from ABC News:

At Smithsonian, Americana 'Made in China'
Tens of millions flock to the Smithsonian museums in Washington each year to see Americana -- everything from Abraham Lincoln's top hat to Archie Bunker's chair.

But one thing you'll have a hard time finding is something American in the gift shop.

Take the miniature sculptures of presidents sold at the National Museum of American History, located right on the Mall in the nation's capital.

From the busts of George Washington to Barack Obama, they were made in China.

And it gets worse:

But it's not just the Smithsonian. Walk around the capital city's monuments � the great symbols of America � in search of products made in the USA and you might be surprised what you find.

The Lincoln Memorial gift shop sells magnets of the Washington Monument � made in China. A bell � made in China. A toothpick holder � made in China. Plates designed in the US � but made in China. And yes, a Barack Obama coffee mug � made in China.

The Jefferson Memorial gift shop sells actual replicas of the memorial � made in China. Even American flag pins � you guessed it - made in China.

You might spend $400 on souvenirs all over town and not buy a single product made in the USA, not even a keychain of the Supreme Court gavel.

Has our manufacturing base fallen so far? Don't people realize that when you close a plant, it becomes prohibitively expensive to start it back up again? This doesn't speak well for this nation...