Re: Very OT: Jobs in America (Long)

Amy, thank you so much for your post. I hear your frustration and I understand the fear. I just don't understand how we as a nation can continue to let this happen. That is why I'm trying to get the web address out to all I know and see if we can't get someone in the government to listen. If it doesn't work, at least I will know I tried to make a difference.

Myra

Myra and Amy, I can understand why you feel so frustrated and how you would like to do something about it. There are some other things we need to do that affect the way these companies think.

We really have to be careful how we spend our money. That is what drives these companies. When we demand the cheapest price, the best bargain, we are forcing companies to take these kinds of actions. They are only trying to stay alive in the marketplace where they have to compete with foreign companies who have a significantly less overhead cost basis.

This doesn't mean we have to know who makes everything we buy, but we can do our homework when it comes to the big ticket items. For example, we can only buy cars and electronics that are made in American factories. We can frequent stores such as WalMart, who tries very hard to really promote American manufacturers. We can also spend a few cents more to buy produce that is grown in the US rather than in other countries.

Sometimes it's much more effective to attempt to change things ourselves rather than expect our government to do it for us. They should only be a last resort.

Its not just an American thing, happening even here in lill ole NZ, and I am assuming in any country with a commerce really. Gl with it tho

Tracy And i agree with Sheri :P thats what we have done in NZ :)

I can COMPLETELY understand this issue....as my husband and I are in the middle of it.

We're both "IT people" and my husband has not had a job as a Network Tech/Admin (or anything IT related) in over a year. I taught at a grade school for a year before having a 3 month job as a "local tech" for a big firm who outsourced me- the outsource person.

When these companies are able to send jobs to other countries and pay 3 gallons of yak's milk a day as opposed to a fair living wage here in the US/Canada, they take the hit in service and quality and save the bucks.

It's sad, but true.

Just my 2c. :-) Theresa in IL

Sheri, I totally agree with you. I also think we need to have some control of the amount of jobs that go overseas. I feel we have to also look out for the world economy as we try to protect our own. So, I really wouldn't want to shut down overseas trade all together. I guess I'm just asking for a balance and not have all of our high paying jobs go to a country that will accept 3 to 4 people working for the same wages as we pay for one.

Myra

In the next 20 years, the only jobs left will be transportation... walmart, and medical... the economy will be so screwed up that about 80% of the population will delare bankruptcy and lose their homes... and the government will try to come to the rescue... a beginning of a socialist state.... sad but I can see it coming...

Even more sad: last night on Nightline, they were talking about all these great, high-quality furniture stores in NC that are going out of business because of competition from China. The Chinese companies are deliberately underpricing their merchandise (which is also of lower quality) in order to force the domestic companies out of business. Then they will be free to charge any price they want.

What was very sad, a couple was told about this, then asked if they would buy the American furniture or the cheaper Chinese, and they said they would buy the cheaper product.

How sad.

Unfortunatly, that's the business world in general. Walmart does the same thing to other dept stores.And, yes, I shop there. PS I'm not condoning what goes on, just stating my opinion.

Unfortunately, much of our country cannot afford the items that are better quality. So if we didn't have these "cheaper" goods to buy, many would not even have a something to lie their head on.

I also shop at Walmart and I know a lot of people don't like them because they hurt the smaller, locally owned businesses. But face it, more people want a bargain so their money will go further. If we had to stick to buying ONLY American-made products with EVERYTHING we use for at least a month, I think it would open up our eyes to the reality.

With a lot of the frivolous lawsuits, insurance claims, and use of public aid, American businesses are being set up to fail because all these things drive up the cost of doing business. This trickles down to the prices of goods for sale because the way for the businesses to still make money and keep their doors open is to charge more and/or pay their employees less.

My husband came home yesterday a bit irritated. Honeywell decided to pay for a bunch of people that live in India to go to school there for Engineering degrees, so that they can work for them after they get their degrees for a fraction of the pay. You think that they would pay for people here in America to go to school. No way! Apparently all the laid off and unemployed engineers here are of no concern to them, just the allmighty dollar.

Just venting,

Amy :( AZ

Thanks Myra, I have signed that petition already and sent it to all of my friends and family.

Thanks,

Amy : AZ

Hey-

This has been a problem for a while in my line of work (medical transcription). People have no idea that their medical records are being transcribed overseas so doctors and some hospitals can save $. It is quite a shame...you should see some of the work that comes back from there, as English is a second language to them. I know I don't want MY medical records being transcribed over there. Talk about asking for trouble.

Carmen

go here:

just start reading... the united states is no longer sacred.......and never will be... prepare to pack your bags some day and move out of the country if you want a job...

If you call tech support for any computer company you will get india. The most complaints we get are because of that.

-- Mel Jansen

what is bad is when people from over seas with the same accent call in saying they can not understand the people on the other line for technical support for their computer.

-- Mel Jansen

This is true of a lot of credit card companies also, I have noticed. My husband had trouble with out of the country tech support also because neither could understand each other.

Amy AZ