Outsourcing problem...

[tw]

Originally posted by Razorfish
I don't believe programmers in other countries are hundreds of times smarter than us but they have shown us they can do work equivalant to us. Rather than have them competing against us why not have the work for us? This is MBA thinking.

Just another of the so many reasons why outsourcing becomes a problem. As demonstrated by PC power supply, outsourcing can be a solution to a shortage of better educated Americans. Technical knowledge of a trivial device (power supply) so missing that foreign manufacturers can use that technical naivity to sell inferior products in North America for even higher profits.

In some cases, outsourcing is directly traceable to the MBA who seeks to lower costs - since costs are only what he understands. And so, about 10 years ago, was a front page WSJ article about a CT plumbing manufacturer who moved to Mexico where the wages were only 1/5th. Two years later, he was back in CT trying to rehire his old employees - to save his company. He foolish made decisions only based upon costs.

On the other hand we also have outsourcing because equivalent educated workers cost less. This is important and desireable for world 'free market' economics to work properly.

Now where does the Democratic and Republican rhetoric properly describe why outsourcing happens? In the meantime, what about in-sourcing? At minimum, the discussion of outsourcing is irrelevant without corresponding numbers about in-sourcing. Moreso - where are the numbers? How many jobs are being outsourced verses in-sourced?

Many reasons exist for outsourcing. Does not mean outsourcing, overall, is good or bad. Does mean that political hacks are using public ignorance and emotion to promote their agenda. First symptom - they don't provide lots of boring numbers which is always a first indication that they are probably doing what Rush Limbaugh does best - lie by telling half truths.