Posted on 02/04/2006 4:38:34 AM PST by Tyche
Making a strong pitch for America to stay competitive in the face of emerging economies such as India and China, President George W Bush has urged the Congress to raise the number of H-1B visas that allow companies to hire foreign workers for scientific and high tech jobs.
"Congress needs to understand that nations like India, China, Japan, Korea and Canada all offer tax incentives that are permanent. In other words, we live in a competitive world. We want to be the leader in this world," Bush said in a speech in Minnesota on Thursday.
To fill vacant jobs in the US, Bush urged the Congress to lift current limit on H-1B visas that allow foreign workers to get jobs in the United States. The Congress in 2005 capped at 65,000 the number of H-1B visas, a third of the 195,000 allowed during the technology boom.
"I think it's a mistake not to encourage more really bright folks who can fill the jobs that are having trouble being filled here in America, to limit their number. So I call upon Congress to be realistic and reasonable and raise that cap," Bush said, but did not say by how much he wanted the limit lifted.
He said that one part of the agenda to stay competitive was to study math and science, a theme he touched on in his State of the Union Address on Tuesday.
"It's one thing to research, but if you don't have somebody in that lab, well… And so I got some ideas for the Congress to consider. The first is to emphasize math and science early, and to make sure that the courses are rigorous enough that our children can compete globally," Bush said in a speech at the 3M Corporation.
He said there are more high-tech jobs in America today than people available to fill them. "So what do we do about that? And the reason it's important -- and the American citizen has got to understand it's important -- is if we don't do something about how to fill those high-tech jobs here, they'll go somewhere else where somebody can do the job."
"There are some who say, we can't worry about competition. It doesn't matter, it's here. It's a real aspect of the world in which we live," he said.
"And so one way to deal with this problem, and probably the most effective way, is to recognize that there's a lot of bright engineers and chemists and physicists from other lands that are either educated here, or received an education elsewhere but want to work here. And they come here under a programme called H1B visas," Bush said.
He said America should not fear competition. "It's important for us not to lose our confidence in changing times. It's important for us not to fear competition but welcome it."
Senior administration officials noted that the number of H-1B visas has fallen to 65,000 which in their estimation was 'too low' and that it was imperative 'to bump that up.'
". . . some of reports have called for increases of 10,000; others between 20,000 and 40,000. So there is a number of options on the table to be considered. But we'll work with Congress on that," said Claude Allen, assistant to the President for domestic policy.
ROTFLMAO
Kilgore was a wasted candidate.
I almost think the pubbies pickedlor= to lose.
correction: I almost think the pubbies picked him to lose.
You obviously didn't read the article I linked for you or you would understand.
The Labor Shortage Hoax
Drowning the U.S. Labor Force and Importing Poverty
To George Bush, "leveling the playing field" means reducing American wages and benefits to Third World standards.
His Economic War against the peaceful prosperity of the American Middle Class has a higher priority than the WOT.
George W. Bush is a backstabbing DWE.
You are political neophyte.
What compromises are struck won't reach the public radar until the damage is done. Why do you think our elected "representatives" represent you?
Understand this: you have no power. None.
Why not let foreigners have all our jobs and then we won't have to work? All we will need to do is tax them heavily and live off the proceeds!
It's certainly not the GOP I worked for the better part of 30 years to gain power. One thing they can count on, I'll work feveriously for the next 30 years to see that they don't keep it. For the sake of my kids and grandkids, I can do no less and maintain my honor. Blackbird.
What is the net worth? What percentage owns the top percentage of assets? What is the debt/asset ratio? What is the percentage of that ratio to the top 10%?
You are going to make sure that Nancy Pelosi has the power.
Who are you going to make sure has the power instead of the gop.
Pelosi? Reid? Hillary Rodham?
Just remember that when all 3 of them are running this country in 2009 we can thank voters like you.
"Are those IBM has laid off laying around waiting for IBM to call? No, they have new jobs."
No. many of them came back to IBM as contractors at lower wages and no benefits.
Let me guess, you're in upper management or work for the government right?
What is the difference anymore, socialism slow or socialism quick. Not much difference to me anymore. I once believed as you do, but after 10 years of watching the respendican party slip to th left I quit it. I now will not vote for who can win, but for who I think should win. And the respendican free traitors will never again enjoy my support.
I will only support candidates who have earned my vote, the respendicans are grossly failing to do so as of now.
You can't squeeze that much into some mythical five thousand families to save tired 19th century propaganda.
Homeownership is at an all time high with home prices at all time highs. Widespread stock ownership is at an all time high with markets recovered from the most recent bear. Of course Americans are therefore wealthier than they - or any other people in recorded history! - have ever been.
Still we get this endless whining. Why? What compulsion is behind it? I'll tell everyone - ideologies invested in stale propaganda cannot adapt to the reality of the real world around them.
That's no longer true. It's not "what you know" it's "who you know" now. Sucking up is the only way to get ahead in corporate America. I know. I have seen it up close.
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