I’ve read John’s book and believe that we, as a nation, we will regret selling out to China. I actually used a quote from John’s book in Friday to begin a presentation to a U.S. Congressman. John is right; no Chinese company will ever sponsor your kid’s Little League team! Mike Richland Hills, TX
John,
I wanted to take the time to drop you a special note of thanks for agreeing to be the celebrity host for our first-time "Cheers" event. I feel like I've met new Lifelong friends. You both are delightful, down to earth people and it was a privilege to meet you and have you as a part of this incredible event. I am hoping you will consider doing "Cheers" with us on an annual basis.
Thanks again,
Yaz
One Campaign
Boys and Girls Clubs
of South Puget Sound
It is refreshing for me to see someone with your fame who has not forgotten his roots, and truly gets what American capitalism and America's greatness is all about. Then, having heard about your new book and seeing your interview with Neil Cavuto, I immediately put it on my Christmas wish list. I have since received and read it, and I am again delighted by your true regard for what is right with the real American Way, rather than the overly exploited Hollywood version of it. You are a true point of American light from the otherwise dark world that television and Hollywood tends to portray. Thank you for refreshing my hopes for my children (ages 12 and 15) that they might be able to raise their children in an America remotely familiar to yours and mine. You sir, are a Great American. Sincerely, Jeff Brookville, IN
Thank you for the book. I got it through a friend for my Husbsand for Christmas and I am lucky I got him to eat. He wants to know when you are going to write another. I want to say Thank you for giving me such a great christmas present for my husband my (LIFE) Thank You, Joan
"John Ratzenberger, the most articulate spokesman American manufacturing has to offer in its defense ..."
"The most engaging speaker was John Ratzenberger..." NAM 2004
TV star John Ratzenberger charmed the crowd as the event's guest speaker.." CONNSTEP, Inc. 2006
Despite his résumé as an actor (Cheers, Superman, TheEmpire Strikes Back), Ratzenberger sees himself as a blue-collar everyman and identifies more closely with the factory workers he interviews on his Travel Channel cable TV show, John Ratzenberger's Made in America than he does with the "Hollywood elite." Like his show, Ratzenberger's book celebrates manufacturing in America—and then digresses into a stimulating if contradictory mishmash of political ideas. Nostalgic and perhaps more than a little naïve, Ratzenberger wants to return AmericaRatzenberger's anger. President Bush, meanwhile, gets his compliments for a lack of "contempt for the average American's intelligence" and for his actions in Iraq. Compelling for his unpredictability, this patriotic, independent-minded author will alternately frustrate and fascinate both progressives and conservatives. - Publishers Weekly to its golden age: "We need to get back to being the industrial giant." At times, his politics resemble those of Michael Moore circa Roger & Me, as in his critique of corporations for abandoning loyal employees by moving operations overseas. But it's the "Hollywood powers that be" and "intellectual elites" who bear the brunt of
"John, a truely fine patriotic American, bares his soul in this thought-provoking, insightful tome."
- Phyllis Diller
"In a funny and thought-provoking way, John reminds us of the real America, how great we feel to be Americans, and why all is not lost for our future." - Glen Charles, Co-creator of Cheers
As a press secretary for a U.S. Senator, I read a lot of books and articles, much of it to do with many of the things John talks about in his book, but it was very refreshing to see John and his co-author present a unique mix of their perspectives about not only the political/security issues facing our country today, but also talking about this nation’s challenges with regard to trade, manufacturing and just our seemingly shrinking ability to act responsibly, work hard and make stuff.
I’ll admit, working in politics is not one of those “hands on” jobs, which produces a tangible, durable product at the end of each day. But a lot of Americans of both blue and white collar backgrounds are really concerned about where this nation is headed vis a vie national and economic security, which are not mutually exclusive, by the way. In my office, we deal with a lot of big international and national manufacturers who’re trying to expand or stay in our state, and the pressures on them to produce efficiently and simultaneously find quality, qualified workers are incredible. And, I’m troubled that so many Americans, for some reason, look down on manufacturing jobs and do not encourage their kids to pursue professions that make things. That’s all I ever knew where I grew up. Shop class was just a given for all the guys. Guess we were in a time warp.
-(Name withheld to protect privacy)
Heard John on Seattle radio station the other day, had to check out the website and ultimately ordered his book. We have a structural steel fabrication shop and like the rest of the U.S. can't get workers, at least workers with skills and the desire to work hard and dirty. Welding can be a filthy job, but much needed and provides a livable wage to our 10 employees and their families. Our son went off to college, received his 4 year degree went out to look for a 'corporate' job but loves to tinker and always has, ultimately we wondered why we were pushing him into the cubicle kingdom when really what he loved to do he could do for us, and with his schooling do very well for himself, and we needed workers who could do as well as think. Keep at it gang, we are behind you 100% -Karin Stoltz, J.L. Brooks Welding, Inc.
Dear Mr. Ratzenberger: I caught your radio interview with KMPS radio while you were in Seattle recently. You are so right on the money regarding the lack of tradeworkers in our country as well as the loss of the training to perform the basic work. I thought that you might be interested in hearing about a unique training program that was instituted by the International Masonry Institute (the training and promotional arm of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers). In an effort to stem the loss of tradeworkers and maintain a skilled workforce, the IMI has developed a national training center near Washington DC. The center teaches apprentices the masonry skills necessary to earn a good living, while keeping the masonry knowledge alive and well. The IMI also has a program that brings together masonry trade instructors from local unions across the nation and trains the instructors to teach apprentices and journymen basic and advanced skills. The five year program brings together the keepers of the trade and allows them to share their knowledge and experience while improving their teaching skills. The average age of the instructor graduates is probably 45-60 years old. Having been one of the graduates in 2001 after working 23 in the field, I can tell you that it is an amazing program and a wonderful life experience. Going through the program also made me feel that what I do is valuable to my family, my country, and not everyone needs to go to college in order to be proud of what they do for a living. Thanks for your efforts in promoting Blue Collar America; I hope it is not too late to do some good! I regret that I was not able to come to your book signing and meet you in person. Best Regards, Bob in Lynnwood, WA
A Message for John: Thank you so much for your inspirational foundation and allowing funds to go to Children with Diabetes. I remember sitting in a hospital room withmy oldest son 8 years ago and someone saying "Hey doesn't Cliff off Cheers have a boy with diabetes?" At the time I thought the comment was rude and insignificant and had nothing to do with the major crisis going on in my family. I never did find out if that was ever true but I must admit I've had a "soft spot" for you and your different projects since. A few months ago we were back in the hospital......the baby is diabetic too. For some reason this has renewed my interest in research, fundraising, and volunteering for causes that will support my sons.
I'm busier than ever, seems like I'm always poking someone these days, but I wanted to take a few minutes to look up your foundation. We come from a long line of tinkerers, my grandpa had a garage you would have been impressed with. Coffee cans full of nuts and bolts all in neat rows. Before my dad died last year he made sure the boys all had well stocked metal Meccano sets. His last gift to them was replica of an old metal ride-on international tractor. Thank you so much for including Children with Diabetes, they have been a life saver to me personally as I navigate through life and even more so raising two boys that are Type 1. I had never even heard of any families with two diabetic kids and sure enough there they were on the site encouraging me.
Thanks again for your support.
Susan
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