A letter to President Bush regarding the Economy

Sir, I am writing today about what I and some others see as some significant problems with our current international trade policies. Specifically, our research has shown that the United States Government has agencies and policies in place that provide direct support to competitors of the USA. Specifically I am referring to The Overseas Private Investment Corporation as the first of these agencies. I realize this agency was created and expanded before your administration but it is a problem and it should be addressed by your administration. Policies in place that may harm American permanent residents include the H1B and L1 visa programs. As one of your supporters in the 2000 elections I appreciate many of the policies you have advocated over your term so far. I would hope that you are elected to a second term but I am concerned the economy may provide you with problems over the coming months until November 2004.

As I am sure you are aware unemployment in the USA is still rising despite the emaciated version of your tax cut that was passed and this continued rise in unemployment and underemployment may well threaten any economic recovery. A part of the reason that companies are not hiring is the effect of imports on the American economy. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation is an agency of the United States Government that provides American Corporations loans and political risk insurance for investing in nations other than the USA. Sir, this is not Free Trade or anything even close. This is government subsidy to the low cost labor of China, India, and other so called developing nations who are in direct competition with American workers for jobs. There is a correlation between productivity and capital investment. Simply eliminating this organization and its programs would help to stimulate investment in new plant and equipment in the USA since there would no longer be a subsidy to investing offshore.

Sir, another problem is the abuse of our immigration law that allows foreign guest workers who are willing to work for less than American workers in technical professional areas. I am referring to the H1B and L1 visa programs. The H1B program is supposed to provide temporary guest workers to help alleviate short term shortages within the American labor supply. Instead it has become a permanent short circuit around our regular immigration laws. As a result American engineers and IT people are out of work in record numbers. Sir, these people are American citizens and they vote. They need their government to enforce the laws for their protection. Curtailing the abuses of these programs will be a winning political issue because it is the right thing to do.

Sir the political implications of not doing anything about these programs are clear. A Democrat will run on the economy promising a government jobs program which will do little to help the economy really but may get enough votes to threaten your re-election. By taking a stand on these programs you will attract much of the traditional Democrat supporters in the next election. Your stand against government handouts will appeal to your base while driving a wedge between Liberals and the union member Democrats and independents. Thank you for your consideration

This is but a tiny first step. It really will need a lot of steps over the next years to allow a freemarket for American produced goods and services. Things like corporate taxation and over regulation must be addressed. But every journey must start with one step.

Do you find it a humbling experience to be right all of the time?

Well I am not right all the time but on this issue I did my homework. By the way I am quite glad you admitted I was correct in my description of your employment decisions.

Ummm... I think if one thinks about something totally, not just a 'little bit', they would see that nike tennis shoes ten years ago cost $100 with American labor. Today, they cost $100 + with two dollar an hour Chinese labor... It's a no brainer buddy. Get with it...

Sorry I did not flag you on this before. What is really amazing I propose abolishing a US government agency and the opposition screams you can not de-fund that agency because it is not costing you money. If it is not costing any money why are they complaining about not funding the agency?

They can get a corporate charter in any state and operate as a private enterprise. If someone wants this function performed it does not have to be a US government function any person can set up such a business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.

You seem to think that other Americans owe you something

If members of a nation did not owe anything one to another, what would be a reason for such nation to exist? To protect and serve the international corporations? You got it wrong, sir.

One does what one can so this is something that I think will be good for the Republic. It is actually amusing the comments that I get of wanting these programs for my personal gain.

I dohave some ideas on how this relates to teh AWB but I will share those later once they have become a lttle more coherent.

harpseal,
Writing to GW Bush will do no good. There was a presidential campaign in 2000 ... there was even a candidate who spoke eloquently and forcefully on the immigration issue!
It wasn't Gore ...
It wasn't Bush ... and
It wasn't Nader. It was Pat Buchanan. But you supported Bush, didn't you, and now you want him to change? Good luck!

Now that I mentioned Pat Buchanan, I'll receive the usual ad hominem flames. Flamers! ... flame away.

A great letter, but it doesn't address the reason that Americans are having a hard time competing with foreign business and the reason, therefore that foreign products can undersell those produced in our country..
1. The plethora of environmental regulations that have made it nearly impossible for us here in America to take advantage of the abundance of natural resources that SHOULD be available right here in our own country.
2. Over-regulation by our own government, resulting in higher cost to Anerican producers.
These are the reasons for so many companies relocating out of the US, they are the reasons that foreign companies can produce for less, and therefore sell for less, and until we address these two situations, things will only get worse..

That's Nothing! Soon I will have a TV commercial that will allow people to:

Lose Weight Invest in Real Estate Get Rich Quick Eat at Subway Catch Trophy Fish Author your own book Workout on a Bowflex</>

All without ever leaveing the comfort of your recliner!

Well I think you really should be quite careful of thelaws governing larceny by fruad in this new enndeavor but I wish you luck.

A great letter, but it doesn't address the reason that Americans are having a hard time competing with foreign business and the reason, therefore that foreign products can undersell those produced in our country.. 1. The plethora of environmental regulations that have made it nearly impossible for us here in America to take advantage of the abundance of natural resources that SHOULD be available right here in our own country. 2. Over-regulation by our own government, resulting in higher cost to Anerican producers. These are the reasons for so many companies relocating out of the US, they are the reasons that foreign companies can produce for less, and therefore sell for less, and until we address these two situations, things will only get worse..

Every journey starts with a single step. i agree that these are also problems and will work with others on these specific issues when the draft concreate proposals to improve things in this area. Maybe if I live long enough I shall be able to start initiatives in these areas also but I would recommend you start an activism campaign on those issues.

When another american (or another million americans!) loses his job and can't find another, he doesn't disappear and neither does his family. He does however still consume, require health care, a home, etc. And who pays? I do! So in effect I subsidize your ability to export more job to china, because the price you pay the chicoms for cheap junk, and the price your customers pay you, in no way is equal to the actual cost to the US as a whole. Factor in the social welfare benefits that are paid out and I think you'll find that the cost differential between american and most foreign goods just about disappears.

An excellent summary of the problem!

harpseal, Writing to GW Bush will do no good. There was a presidential campaign in 2000 ... there was even a candidate who spoke eloquently and forcefully on the immigration issue!
It wasn't Gore ...
It wasn't Bush ... and
It wasn't Nader. It was Pat Buchanan. But you supported Bush, didn't you, and now you want him to change? Good luck!

Now that I mentioned Pat Buchanan, I'll receive the usual ad hominem flames. Flamers! ... flame away.

No flames from here. I supported GWB becuase I did not believe Pat Buchannan had a chance to defeat Al Gore. It was at the time a reasoned calculation that GWB was the best option of the three. I note that in 2000 my home state went for Gore. Now will Pat run in 2004? I do not know and I frankly do not care. In 2004 the winner will most probably be a Democrat or a Republican not some third party candidate but I may be wrong.

Right now the power to do something lies with GWB I am more concerned with the problems getting fixed than with any rehashing of history. I can not force you to write. but I can suggest it is at least making a positive effort in the right direction.

God bless you bro. for your service to our Republic in the past, and for it now.

You are hitting the nail on the head and are pointing out a critical part of the infrastructure that has been put in place to bring our Republic down...among many other portions of that infrastructure.

I will also write about these absolutely critical issues, not only to the President but to all of my reps.

Jeff

No need apologize to me my man... Whether you flag or not, I see your post 95% of the time. I'm always "Out there" somewhere!

I am a pessimist big time on this issue. I firmly believe it is an action specifically designed to level the playing field globally. And it is working... slow and sure.

Anyone who disses this as free trade is one naive individual, or a major stockholder.

Re your most recent comment. I give you credit for hanging in there. I really would have prefferd you actually adressed the issues contained in the letter because it is not just about IT, Engineering, Healthcare, Manufacturing or any other one industry. It is about the American Economy and using taxpayer funds to subsidize offshore investment.

Clearly, I have specifically not proposed a tarriff or any radical policy change except enforcing existing law and remnoving one government subsidy. I could have included the World Bank and IMF subsidies to American competitors and cited the government fnding of those two organizations. I did not this letter address two issues taht I thought would gain broad based support and help the American economy.

That you would find such issues threatening seems to say much more about your history than anything else. As a youngster starting in teh business envirornment I heartily recommend that you study up on what constitutes a Free Market and what the advantages of letting supply and demand allovcate scarce resources. such knowledge will be of benefit to you.

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