Re: Lest ye get too complacent

This is not a black and white issue, and I'm not going to pretend I
have a well formulated opinion on it all, because I surely don't.  I
do have a few random and scattered thoughts about it (you knew I
would).  most of them will sound to many like I'm straddling the
fence, but I would argue not.

The H1B issue is different from the illegal immigrant worker issue, is
different from the walmart issue, is different from the third world
import issue, is different from the homeland security issue, is
different from offshoring is different than... name your issue.

most of what I've heard proposed - from all sides - won't solve the problems.

Strict free market proposals exacerbates current trends - reactionary
proposals only delays the effects of the underlying problems and will
make the inevitable more painful than if we take the pain a little at
a time.

Locking up the borders with police, the army, etc. won't solve all
problems with illegals and will surely cost our society in terms of
our ability to compete.  raising tariffs and other legislative
restrictions on free trade won't solve the problems with foreign
imports, and will only keep those societies poor and closed.  reducing
H1Bs will force more jobs overseas where they can't be taxed.

IMO, the underlying symptom is the simple fact that the rest of the
world IS catching (has caught?) up to superior western productivity
and to an extent, technology, and the world doesn't need the 2 cars,
the RV, 4 weeks vacation and full medical and pension benefits.  the
rest of the world is happy to do the job for pennies on our dollar.

The good thing about this trend is that if left as is, the third world
would eventually begin to catch up with us in wages as well. (ours
will also drop some to meet theirs), in which case we will begin to
compete with them again on a more level playing field.  But that WILL
cause much pain in the short term.  Being reactionary will lessen the
short term pain and will spread it around more now, but it won't stave
off the crisis forever.  eventually we'll pay for it.

This has happened many times throughout our history, and we adapted.  
 We can raise the walls again or we can adapt, or maybe a combination
of the two.

The adaptation could be boycotting the walmarts and the microsofts of
the world, but we'll pay for that in higher prices across the board. 
we can raise temporary walls to stem the tide, but we can't stop the
tsunami.  Adaptation eventually comes down to finding what we do
better, and doing it better.

It's really our choice. and there are valid and good arguments and
ideas on all sides of the issue. but just be sure to understand that
none of those choices are without their own problems, or without their
own pain.

pay up now or pay up later.

again, just my less than completely formulated opinion.

Rick