 Nancy Johnson on Free Trade |
for 2 full quotes for background on Free Trade.
|
Posted on 08/03/2003 7:42:08 AM PDT by RockyMtnMan
Michael Emmons thought he knew how to keep a job as a software programmer.
"You have to continue to keep yourself up to speed," he said. "If you don't, you'll get washed out."
Up to speed or not, Emmons wound up being "washed out" anyway. Last summer, he moved his family from California to Florida for the Siemens Co., makers of electronics and equipment for industries. Not long after, Emmons and 19 other programmers were replaced by cheaper foreign workers.
Adding insult to injury, Emmons and the others had to train their replacements.
"It was the most demoralizing thing I've ever been through," he told ABCNEWS. "After spending all this time in this industry and working to keep my skills up-to-date, I had to now teach foreign workers how to do my job so they could lay me off."
Just as millions of American manufacturing jobs were lost in the 1980s and 1990s, today white-collar American jobs are disappearing. Foreign nationals on special work visas are filling some positions but most jobs are simply contracted out overseas.
"The train has left the station, the cows have left the barn, the toothpaste is out of the tube," said John McCarthy, director of research at Forrester Research, who has studied the exodus of white-collar jobs overseas. "However you want to talk about it, you're not going to turn the tide on this in the same way we couldn't turn the tide on the manufacturing shift."
India Calling
Almost 500,000 white-collar American jobs have already found their way offshore, to the Philippines, Malaysia and China. Russia and Eastern Europe are expected to be next. But no country has captured more American jobs than India.
In Bangalore, India, reservation agents are booking flights for Delta; Indian accountants are preparing tax returns for Ernst & Young; and Indian software engineers are developing new products for Oracle.
They are all working at a fraction of the cost these companies would pay American workers.
For example, American computer programmers earn about $60,000, while their Indian counterparts only make $6,000.
"It's about cost savings," said Atul Vashistha, CEO of NeoIT, a California-based consulting company that advises American firms interested in "offshoring" jobs previously held by Americans. "They need to significantly reduce their cost of doing business and that's why they're coming to us right now."
Vivek Pal, an Indian contractor for technology consulting group Wipro, whose clients include Microsoft, GE, JP Morgan Chase, and Best Buy, is hiring 2,000 Indian workers quarterly to keep up with demand. Pal knows American workers resent the "offshoring" trend but says all Americans will benefit in the long run.
"Globalization — whether it's for products or services — may feel like it hurts, but at the end of the day, it creates economic value all around," said Pal.
At the end of the day, Emmons has a different view: "If you sit at a desk, beware," he said. "Your job is going overseas."
I've come a long way in my political education.
And, JMO, it seems that you have a long way to go in economic education.
High tariffs after the stock market fall in 29, worsend the depression.
Manufacturing rally draws 1,200
Richard W.
I'm not so sure. My radar tells me he's on the up and up. His message may be something many don't want to hear in the coming depression.
The coming economic malaise will, or may be, due to offshoring. I just don't see how the markets, especially the real real estate market can avoid a downturn with so many having their income reduced.
1945-1965 were great years for the US economy. The US was the only industrialized country left intact after the war.
The countries in war torn Europe bought our good to rebuild their economies and the unions got everything they wanted and the steel companies and car companies acquiesed, but there was also danger that bore itself out. The US became complacent and lazy, and when the newly rebuilt economies of Europe and Japan could compete, they did very well, and Americans flocked to their quality products.
But all good times come to an end, though some wish they could click their ruby slippers and go back to those times, while ignoring the present world all around them.
From the article, it looks like Democrats are getting ready to reject free trade in favor of fair trade. Dodd was whipping this rally into a fever.
This is strange, because historically, Republicans have favored tariffs. Looks like they are abandoning them, and Democrats are grabbing the issue as fast as possible.
Bush -- or if not Bush, other Republicans -- are in a world of hurt if they let this happen.
That's not confontational, it was observational.
I just pointed out the facts of what a Perot vote brought you, eight years of Clinton.
| Nancy Johnson on Free Trade |
for 2 full quotes for background on Free Trade.
|
Welcome to Dane. He thrives on negative attention. I shall ruin his evening. I shall give him none.
Correct. So don't you think it is a good idea to discourage offshoring in every possible way?
Bush -- or if not Bush, other Republicans -- are in a world of hurt if they let this happen
Huh, Reagan wasn't for tariffs at all. He used them selctively, but he was free trader.
BTW, where was Dodd when NAFTA came up for a vote and of course Dodd did play defense for Clinton selling our military secrets to the Chi-Coms for campaign contributions.
But what the hey it looks like all is forgiven for Dodd to you, becuase he is pandering to you "the world is coming to an end types".
Comon give it up garbanzo. Don't give me the excuse this thread is too long. Hobbit hole threads are 12,000 strong and they still can talk.
What on earth makes you think Bush has a problem with this? He is a Harvard MBA and a globalist. His Yale and Harvard classmates are at the apex of American industry, driving this very exodus.
Oh BTW, Dodd was the DNC chairman when Clinton sold the Chinese, miltary secrets.
Oh I forgot, Dodd is your man now, nevermind.
LOL!!!!!
BTW, you KNOW that this issue has legs because these posts run 200+, 300+, 400+ replies, and has been the only one where 'they' can't answer with a Clinton Era quote or story.
Yes, it started under Clinton, but a book about that, The Judas Economy came out in the late 1990's while we were all into Blue Dress Stains and Raped Nursing Home Directors.
This issue will be hung around Dubya's neck.
AOL-Time Warner-CNN have started the coordinated attack!!
IOW, Laz doesn't want to refute reply #432. It doesn't square with his own little world.
Once you take 7% FICA + state income tax + sales tax + property tax + vehicle taxes and fees + dog license fees + I'll bet he still pays 30% of his income in taxes.
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