Free Republic

In an analysis of the top 100 outsourcing deals for 2004 just released by IDC, the research firm found a dramatic shift to more business process outsourcing (BPO), an increase in the number of players, and a reduction in total deal value. These developments reflect increased competition and expansion in the marketplace, and create pressure for traditional outsourcers to alter their business models to compete in the coming years. The value of the top 100 outsourcing deals in 2004 decreased by 1.2 percent from $69.1 billion in 2003 to $68.3 billion in 2004, according to the report. The study also...

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. As data gathered in the real world of international rivalry continues to show an expanding U.S. trade deficit that will likely hit $700 billion this year (up from $617 billion last year), a great wailing is heard from the Defenders of Free Trade. Their libertarian economic faith is immune to facts, either from present observation or historical experience. That's what makes it a secular religion. Nothing better reveals its reliance on superstition and ignorance than how readily its adherents resort to falsehoods to defend its dogma. Consider two recent columns that...

It recently occurred to me that the one-party democracy of the USSR is not much worse than the present system at home.Since Nader is not a candidate with a serious chance of victory, the choice is between Democrat or Republican, and in a 2000 debate, Bush and Gore agreed on 39 separate issues! Those who are further from the centre such as moderate socialists have no voice, which is sad considering that the combined Gore/Nader vote of centre-left held the majority over Bush. The people are always doomed to vote for the lesser of two evils. only in the democracy...

<p>Enough people worry about the federal budget deficit that it probably won't get insanely out of hand.</p> <p>The trade deficit, our addiction to buying more from abroad than we sell abroad, is sneakier.</p> <p>At $500 billion a year now and counting, it is steadily turning over America's "net worth" to foreigners. Mainly the Chinese, who now sell us $115 billion more a year than they buy from us. They pocket our dollars, acquire our assets.</p>

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. . DES MOINES (AP) — Thousands of Iowans had just one thing at the top of their Christmas wish list — a new job. . About 68,000 Iowans were without jobs last month, about 6,800 fewer than October, Iowa Workforce Development officials said. . Susie Wagner, who was laid off a year ago when the Tyco Electronics plant in Sabula closed, said there aren´t many jobs out there right now. . “There´s nothing out there,” said Wagner, who worked as a secretary at the plant. “I´m not having such good luck...