[RFEngineer]

Ramius, your mockage is so apropos. At the risk of sounding like a black-helicopter type, do not listen to our government- they know not of labors of the brain or the body.

Those who "labor" under the auspices of the government know only leisure of the soul and mind.

To everyone else: stick with it, do not despair, persevere.

[Ramius]

You know... I've read your post a few times now, and I'm still not quite sure what the heck it means. Maybe it'll occur to me later. :-)

I think there is room for somewhat more sophisticated dialog on the subject, if that can be done without just getting into flame wars. To wit:

Yes, it is bad for us that there are people in the world willing to do jobs for far less pay than we are willing to work for, for the same work.

If it isn't really the same work, and we can win on productivity or quality, then we should still be able to compete. If we can't compete, then aren't we in the wrong business?

Quality of life is not about just income, but also cost of living. If we merely artificially jack up prices on *all* consumers to support higher wages... who are we fooling?

I detest illegal immigration, and it should be stopped. *Legal* immigrant labor however, is still a needed part of our economy. Like it or not... there are jobs that nobody here wants. If you disagree, then show me the masses of high school kids in this country, standing in line for jobs as hotel maids.