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.
You should go get a second job if you want more money. And when the government raises taxes again, take on more hours.
Whats wrong? Scared of work? Don't complain. Just work harder. That will fix it.
It will cost the Republicans and should.
That's a good idea.
Let's sit around for the next ten to twelve years waiting to fill these jobs.
I'm sure the rest of the world will stand around and wait for us.
Sounds like Bush is bought and paid for ... but by whom?
Companies don't want them, because they didn't keep up with changing times.
No, it doesn't and anyone who says that, isn't looking at reality; just posting emotionally.
Same old canards from you; how tasteless and boring!
The Constitution is an 'old canard' to the "free traders"!
But then, I have yet to see a post from you, wherein you didn't insult those whom you disagree with; nor a post of yours that was factually accurate in any shape, manner, or form.
Did I say nopardons?
No wonder you never get anything at all correct; the English language and its usage, is not something you are capable of comprehending and/or utilizing all that well.
Good grief...either you have no idea who you post to, or are lying through your teeth. Which is it?
Your shameless backpedaling, is so Clintonian. ;^)
Well that's one of two possibilities. The other being he's an ignorant doofus.
I am. At night part time.
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