I am a patriotic American. Still wanting to do my part for the economy, I bought a watch, which I thought was made in America.

I subsequently found out the watch was manufactured in China and shipped from Mexico. Three days later, the watch broke. Fortunately, I had a warranty — or so I thought.

I called the 1-800 number. A woman answered the phone with an accent that was unfamiliar. I explained my problem about the watch. She said, “Sorry, that part is not covered by the warranty.”

I asked her why, and she kept repeating from the script. I suggested that she get the supervisor. I was put on hold with that infamous phrase, “Your call is very important to us. Someone will be with you shortly.”

During that time, my anger began to increase. Eventually, a supervisor got on the phone, and I explained my dilemma. He apologized profusely and said he was sorry, but I would have to send the watch back to the manufacturer and pay for the repairs. I took a deep breath and used what I learned in Anger Management 101. I counted to 10.

The conversation was ending when I asked where he was from. He said they were located in Pakistan. I hung up the phone, and said to hell with this anger management stuff — I’m pissed. Only in America can you buy a watch made in China, imported from Mexico, with customer service in Pakistan.

I called my friend, an economist, and told him about my experience. I asked why all these call centers are in foreign countries. He said globalization was started under Bill Clinton and accelerated under George Bush.

Because of America’s mediocre education system, big business sent all call centers to foreign countries, and most call center employees are college graduates.

Since America lost its manufacturing base, the only thing we make are potato slices and replicas of Spongebob Squarepants. He went on to say that unless this country improves its educational system and develops a new strategy to deal with globalization, we will continue to lose ground to the rest of the world.

I asked him what I should do about my watch. He suggested I go to the pawn shop, buy a Seiko and call it good.

This is not an immigrant bashing column. If I were a foreigner and came to America, I could get Section 8 housing, food stamps, medical, dental and vision care, a stimulus check, a house from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and an education for my children.

I would pole vault over that fence to make sure my family could experience the American Dream. You would too. No excuses.

Walter Backstrom’s columns appear in the Bellevue Reporter twice a month. Readers can contact him at wkbackstrom@aol.com.