I engage people to do computer programming for a small company. American programmers who are available to small companies aren't very good and cost A LOT (I know, there are brilliant American programmers; but as far as I can tell, they all work for Microsoft, Intel etc. I've never actually found one that will work for a small company and believe me, I've tried).
Granted, the programming we required is very demanding--it's not just another web database or java application. So we need really good people. But we have had nightmares with programmers we have hired out of America. The last one almost took my company under.
At this point, we would just stop programming if the only option were American programmers because there is no return on that investment, even if they did the job they were hired to do.
Result, I am engaging Bulgarians who do a really professional job at spec'ing the job and writing the code for less than half the price charged by American programmers who don't finish their jobs or kludged them.
The reality is, world supply of programmers has outpaced demand and American programmers are overpriced. American programmers got used to $75,000 starting salaries and developed a sense of entitlement during the 90's. At those prices and with those attitudes they are uncompetitive.
I would suggest that, before whining, they go out and hone their skills, their attitudes, and their prices and they would find small businesses flocking back to them. I would love to employ someone local. It makes my life so much easier. But I'm not ready to risk another American programmer after the repeated bad experiences we have had.
I am a computer programmer and have worked at a number of small companies that developed complex software products. The people I worked with were, with maybe two exceptions (and one of those was H1-B), extremely intelligent, capable and professional developers who produced very high-quality products while being paid reasonable salaries. I'm sure that the companies that employed these developers felt they were getting their money's worth.
I guess what I'm getting at is, I think your story is perhaps atypical of the normal small company experience. Or perhaps your company is trying to get by on the cheap and not willing to pay a reasonable salary for quality personnel.
That's such a blatant lie. It is the Indian programmers that aren't very good, not because they're stupid, but because it's almost impossible to explain to them what is wanted, and they nod their heads, smile, and agree with you no matter what you ask them.
Bulgarians???? Give me a break. What, did they learn to program in their hovels after they finished shoveling the pig poop out of the living room?
I'm really surprised you had the audacity to post that claptrap.