I'm not calling for legislation on halting outsourcing. I am calling for tariffs on products imported from countries that impose tariffs on our products. China and India impose high tariffs on our goods while we allow their goods in without any tariff whatsoever. That's just not right!
"I don't like it when US companies outsource their software development or call center customer or trouble-shooting services."
Neither do I. Furthermore, I think we should do something about it instead of allowing critical industries to be gutted.
"I have more faith in Joe six-pack's ability to pick himself off his feet and start his own business, or educate himself for upcoming industries that pay big bucks."
I've started my own business before, and I'm looking into doing it again. However, I'm afraid that most people don't have that ability. It takes a lot of drive, determination, ability and discipline to start your own business and make money doing so. The majority of the population doesn't have those qualities, but they do vote.
"I have been laid off by Lucent & SBC in my career. In both cases the job I got following paid more than the one I got laid off from."
Been there, done that. That's why I like my own businesses instead. However, once again, most people don't have what it takes to pull that off.
The bottom line is that free trade is a great idea in vitro, or in the economic equivalent of a test tube. However, once applied in vivo, i.e. in the real world, it doesn't work out so good. It results in a lot of people who get very upset, and they tend to react at the polls. If the public thinks that Bush doesn't care about this issue, they will vote for someone they think does care. That's my point, and my concern.