Ala. Lawmaker Criticized For Encouraging Constituents to 'Shop American'

An Alabama representative has received criticism from some for calling on his constituents to only shop at stores owned by Christian Americans this holiday season.

Rep. Alan Harper (R-Ala.) recently took to social media to encourage his constituents to only purchase items from American-owned convenience stores this holiday season, suggesting that stores owned by foreign business owners may be sending their profits overseas.

"I have posted regarding this issue once before and believe it worth another read," Harper recently announced on his Facebook page.

"As you travel during the holidays or any other time, please try to shop and purchase gas and other items at American owned stores," he added. "The C [convenience] stores/tobacco outlets, etc. with the lights around the windows and doors are not owned by God fearing Christians."

"In large part, these stores are owned by folk that send their profits back to their homeland and then in turn use these funds against our country to create turmoil, fear and in some cases death and destruction," the representative added.

As Al.com reports, Harper's comments stirred some controversy, with some state lawmakers calling on him to be removed from his position as chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

Rep. Craig Ford (D-Gadsden) told the local media outlet that the committee's decision to keep Harper as chairman will say a lot about the Republican party's leadership.

"It will tell a lot about leadership and how Republicans want to move forward," Ford said.

"We've got to move past discrimination in Alabama. It costs us jobs, it costs us recruitment in industry," the democratic lawmaker added.