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.
That's exactly what's going on, our own government is busy working to find the cheapest possible foreign labor for corporations while telling American citizens you're on your own.
This may be a way off subject but there is an undenialble connection so what Bush must do is, as President put America first in every case irregardless of how unpopular it may seem to the world first crowd at home or abroad and not allow himself to be at all influenced by the globalist's view!
I believe God will continue to honor this nation's watchcare over Israel because of His love for Israel and His unchangeable desire for boundaries He has set for all things, be they spiritual or physical(temporal),ie; the absolute indivisibility of the land of the Jews from time immemorial even before the foundation of the world.
Be not deceived for God is not mocked for whatsoever a man(or a nation)soweth so shall he(it)reap!
Yes, believe it or not God will keep His promise to Israel which is the only country and people He will caused to survive, as a nation, His wrath and judgements on the world and its inhabitants which are inescapable!
The GOP deserves to lose if they keep endorsing bum stuff like this. I might just vote third party in 2008 unless they wise up and wise up fast. I know we are taking a chance of really going to Hell on this one but when you look at it, maybe this is the wake up call that is needed but it is a shame that a lot of innocents will get hurt over this, economically and perhaps militarily. I know the Democrats are not our friends but I have to ask if the Republicans are as well.
No I don't.
It's ok for the government to help corporations find cheap labor but when it comes American citizens they need to butt out.
Where did I say that?
This is no longer the GOP of Lincoln, McKinley and Coolidge . .
In too many ways, it is exactly that.
(And I wouldn't boast about all the good things Lincoln did in certain parts of the country, or to certain Republicans who know better.)
. . who saw unrestricted free trade for what it was.
And what exactly is it that worries you? The "free" part or the "trade" part?
Or is it something else?
However, if the info and data is correct, why is that an issue?
Did you real MY post with the cited url's?
My numbers and info are also credited, and I got them from CONSERVATIVE sites like NRO.
I know info is fudgeable...and statistics lie because statisticians lie...but at least argue the facts like I pointed out...the DELIBERATE devaluing of jobs and wages in America in order to outsource/justify Illegal Infiltration/increase the H-1B visas from CERTAIN countries that we are bribing to play ball with us economically and Politically.
Can you dispute that Americans have become Third Class Citizens in their own Country?
If you try, remember...GWB's Shamnesty plan says that Illegals are more valuable than Americans...and goes against between 80 and 85% rejection of his plans by the American people (depending on which poll you read).
That is the arrogance of the Ruling Eee-lites, and as Illegals are more valuable for their votes (this is from Rove AND Bush!), where does that leave the average American citizen?
Failed President bump.
Lincoln was only one of many Republicans of old who were not sold on the ideals of unrestricted free trade, that's why it's important whether you like him or not to point that out. It goes back to the principles of the party.
Where did I say that?
It doesn't matter if you say it directly it still gets said in so many words when you advocate for the type of free trade we're seeing today.
I agree with your earlier statement the federal government should stay out of the business of being an employment agency as much as possible but if they're going to get involved at all I'd rather they consumed their time helping Americans find good paying jobs instead of working feverishly to set up free trade agreements with third world countries while at the same time importing record numbers of low wage immigrants to work the jobs that are left.
So many have been saying it for the last few years and they're correct, this is all going to come back and bite the GOP big-time.
I think you are making this one up...
I've learned long time ago that no matter what links are posted the free traders will find fault with it. They can be from conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly it doesn't matter. The facts never get disputed it's just the messenger they seem focused on.
You really are refusing to see reality. I cannot do anything I want to my home other than cosmetic changes without the bank's and the town's approval. What is so hard to understand about that?
Yes you own it.
No. I don't. I have a mortgage. The bank owns the home till I pay off the note.
What is it about this concept that you can't grasp?
What a moron.
The horror. Members of a conservative website questioning the veracity of sources.
Have you done any studies in American industry to back that up. Where I work entry level people still make $9/hour. Which, in some cases, is actually less than it was ten years ago. The others that have gotten raises have not kept up with inflation.
You really do live in a world driven by numbers you see on the internet - not reality.
And you prefer the anti-business, anti-free-trade rhetoric of a Richard Gephardt over the nominal free-trade policies of the Bush administration?
Perhaps you're right. If enough Republicans join with the populists and zenophobes and know-nothings and stir up fear among the blue-collar voters (who are not totally in the Democrats' camp, as the teachers are) and make a big enough stink about real and imagined jobs being lost to H-1B visas, illegal immigration, outsourcing, insourcing, downsizing -- and, don't forget, it's all George W. Bush's fault! -- the dishonest Dems really could have a chance to retake the Congress.
Sadly, most Americans are as ignorant of basic economics as they are of nuclear physics. Democrats more so, Republicans only slightly less so.
Most of us know the difference between legitimate questioning of posted links and patterns of simply attacking the messenger rather than confronting what's being said.
What does being conservative have to do with being thankful? I am thankful for the things I have. It doesn't mean that disagreeing with Bush about his open borders policy is not conservative. In fact, I think it is very conservative.
People live in reality. There are hard times coming unless the policies of this administration are changed vis-a-vis immigration, both legal and illegal, and trade policies which are one-sided. It would take decades to truly level the playing field with those foreign countries and in the meantime Americans will suffer. Not all but those in the middle class will. The lower classes will be taken care of by your taxes. The middle class will be left hanging in the breeze.
I think much of this new GOP are ex Dems who jumped ship during the Clinton years when they saw the writing on the wall. I remember those numbers then being heralded by the GOP as indicative of a political sea change but those sheer numbers also changed the face of the party.
Regarding sheer numbers, can we think of any other analogies?
Speaking of patterns, why do ostensible protectionists post from sources such as E.P.I., Common Dreams, and various Nader-affiliates? Personally, I think it's simple intellectual laziness . . . and if somebody chooses to post something by a former Clinton economic advisor that they lifted from the website of the only true socialist in Congress, you'd better darn be sure I'll point it out. Again and again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.