Replies

It does not have to be this way. All of the apparati are in place for GWB to put an end to this:

1. Kill the H1-B and L-1 visa program
2. Ban the export of certain jobs in the same way we ban certain dual use technologies.
3. Erect tarriffs that level the playing field for US IT workers a bit. I'm not arguing that the dot com boom inflated IT salaries beyond what may have been reasonable, but the main reason why you can hire 8 Indians for one US IT worker is that you don't have the tax, benefit or regulatory burden with the Indians that you would with the US worker.
4. Ban the processing of certain types of personal data by other countries under existing privacy laws.
5. Stop US indemnity of US investments in foreign countries. If HP builds something in India, and it gets firebombed, you and I pay. Why?
6. Remove the tax incentives on foreign investment and job displacement. It's one thing that Indians make less. It's another that tax incentives are provided to encourage it.
7. If you want to base your call center in India, then my caller ID better come up with 'New Dehli Call Center' and not Verizon Everett.

So far, we are still the biggest market in the world. Time to put that to work while we can. If you want to sell your products here, then participate in this economy. Even the Japanese and Germans get this. I have two Nissans, both assembled in Smyrna, TX. BMW and Mercedes both have plants here. Hyundai is building three.

4. Ban the processing of certain types of personal data by other countries under existing privacy laws.

As much as it kills me to say this: I think trial lawyers might save us from this practice going much further. I'm just itching to hear about a case of someone's medical records being strewn across India and East Asia and that person sueing the hospital he went to, the insurance company, and the offshore processor of this account.
If I were younger I would consider going to law school just for this opportunity.

1. Kill the H1-B and L-1 visa program

Very much agreed. By I would prosecute those who commited perjury or ordered others to commit perjury and I would have them impisoned for their felonies.

2. Ban the export of certain jobs in the same way we ban certain dual use technologies.

agreed

3. Erect tarriffs that level the playing field for US IT workers a bit. I'm not arguing that the dot com boom inflated IT salaries beyond what may have been reasonable, but the main reason why you can hire 8 Indians for one US IT worker is that you don't have the tax, benefit or regulatory burden with the Indians that you would with the US worker.

I would also suggest easing the regulatory burden on US industries is in order but I do agree with this point.

4. Ban the processing of certain types of personal data by other countries under existing privacy laws.

Agreed

5. Stop US indemnity of US investments in foreign countries. If HP builds something in India, and it gets firebombed, you and I pay. Why?

This is to me the highest priority and should have been implemented last year.

6. Remove the tax incentives on foreign investment and job displacement. It's one thing that Indians make less. It's another that tax incentives are provided to encourage it.

Another high priority.

7. If you want to base your call center in India, then my caller ID better come up with 'New Dehli Call Center' and not Verizon Everett.

An excellent idea.

No disagreements I would just add to your list and maybe have some different priorities. See post #118.

7. If you want to base your call center in India, then my caller ID better come up with 'New Dehli Call Center' and not Verizon Everett.

Damn right!

Yeah, it's a push and pull type situation.

The massive amount of regulations (read time/money) imposed on an American employer is the push, while taxpayer funded indemnities and tax code incentives for foreign investment is the pull.

If HP firebombs in India, they and they alone should take the hit. Precisely.