It could also be because the breakneck pace of PC technological change has slowed considerably. Java and XML are the hot things now and they were the hot new things four years ago. What new has come out in the last four years ? Is Microsoft coming out with VB.Net 2.0 ? Solaris 10 has been pending all year.
As for PC's they have plateaued at 3.0 gig. Who needs a faster one ?
Kerry dropped the ball completely on this issue. Had he done a more convincing job of presenting himself as an economic nationalist he might have won. But by letting the NAFTA types control him he was unable to persuade Americans that he had any real ideas about the economy or could do a better job. The only way for the Democrats to beat cultural populism is with economic populism.
I am also amused at the free traders who preach career jumping as a way of life. If you are constantly having to start again at the bottom you will never be able to amass a retirement nest egg. And as gcruse honestly pointed out nobody wants a 45+ junior assistant intern trainee.
And you will never become really good at any advanced skill. Advanced economy and prosperity cannot be based on low wage, menial laborers.
You can have Latin American style oligarchy with the "service" economy serving corrupt "elite" and shantytowns.