[brownsfan]

Something that everyone needs to keep in mind here is that the United States is facing the same basic dilemma that every modern society has faced -- and every developing nation will face, too. The dilemma is that there will always be a trade-off between our standard of living and our ability to compete in a global marketplace --

I agree. In fact, I would agree that some offshore outsourcing is good for not only America, but everyone. I agree that competitive pressure in a global marketplace is good. Look at what the Japanese did for Detroit. Without that pressure, they'd still be making horrible automobiles.
My point, and I'd guess the point of many here, is that there has to be some control. To wholesale offshore outsource isn't good for us. In the cases presented here, China and India, the workers are abused by our standards. I think government has a role in leveling the playing field until those countries "catch up" in living standard. And they will, eventually. I would agree that there has to be some pressure here as well. And yes, a contraction in the standard of living may be a by product. But there is a difference between contraction of standard of living, and simply displacing jobs. We've managed to render unions nearly irrelevant. The environment for business here could be made friendlier, but it's not all on the back of the worker. You can't expect workers here to move a family of 5 into a 2 room shanty because that is the China/India model.

[Alberta's Child]

You can't expect workers here to move a family of 5 into a 2 room shanty because that is the China/India model.

It's interesting that you should mention that -- because that was pretty much the "U.S. model" back in the "good old days" at the height of the industrial revolution when the U.S. had no problem with "outsourcing."

[B4Ranch]

"I think government has a role in leveling the playing field until those countries "catch up" in living standard. And they will, eventually. I would agree that there has to be some pressure here as well. "

Why not just admit you support Agenda 21 and be done with it?

[valkyrieanne]

You can't expect workers here to move a family of 5 into a 2 room shanty because that is the China/India model.

But that is exactly what is going to happen, when people are forced to spend themselves down to virtually nothing, just to pay their $1000 a month COBRA (because the wage earner(s) were laid off when their jobs went to India.)

Expect enough formerly middle-class people to move into shanties, and you've got the potential for a "revolution" on your hands. Given a choice, most people will vote in socialism before they'll accept their reduced circumstances as "free market corrections."