The Great Jobs Switch: Why the Loss of Manufacturing Jobs is Good for America.

The Economist ^ | 9/29/2005 | Economist Magazine Editorial

[Logophile]

A factory without accountants goes out of business and makes nothing but debt. . . .

Good observation. If a business is to remain in business, someone has to keep the books. If it were not for the accountants, the factory workers or the engineers would have to take time from what they do best (making or designing things) to keep the books. So the accountants do participate in the creation of wealth.

Likewise, the janitors, the receptionists, the secretaries, and the sales people all participate in the creation of wealth by freeing up the factory workers and the engineers to do the work of production.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Can't see the sense in this, but I'm sure some "Uber elite" will be along to tell me the error of my ways.

Manufacturing going to other countries is good?

Not bay a LONG shot.

What if we are at WAR with the country that supplies us our Military Armaments.

Someone needs to get a serious reality check before we are permanently, militarily and economically destroyed without firing a shot.

[pollyannaish]

The pointed out that if an employee lacks character, then intelligence actually represents a liability.

Oh my word! Ross Perot words that actually make sense. 'scuse me while I check the trees for pigs. ; )

[farlander]

Yea - but keep in mind the fact that things are bad in terms of outsourcing is not only that the quality overseas is bad. That may very well improve but I have doubts of the rate at which it will. The problem is you may have the best offshore team on the planet and if you don't send them a good design of what you want, you'll still get a tire hung on a branch instead of a lacquered swing. And that issue is with the companies using outsourcers, only compounding the effects.

[Pessimist]

Yeah.

How'd you like to be fluent in Chinese right now? Man, w/ technical skill and that, you could right your own ticket as a liaison.

[farlander]

No kidding. That'd probably be as close as one could come to receiving a blank check.

Know of any good "chinese on tape" programs ? :)

[Pessimist]

"No kidding. That'd probably be as close as one could come to receiving a blank check.

Know of any good "chinese on tape" programs ? :)"

Judging by how well some of them speak english, I suppose we could just go over there and mumble and maybe get by!