H1B

[wizard at neonedge.com (Wizard)]

> We (Americans) are not independent of the world. And I don't want to
> be. When the computer industry resorts to protectionism for its
> workforce (a typical pattern for recently emerging industry that is no
> longer emerging) is when it gets remarkably uninteresting and its time
> to question what we're doing.

I don't believe that this is what we are discussing here. The issue 
here is twofold: One, that these folks often take the money that 
they've earned and go home, not supporting the economy that offered 
them the opportunity to earn that money. Americans on the other hand, 
spend that money on products that require paying American 
sales/excise/homeowners tax, American tariffs, or American fees.  If it 
wasn't for Americans spending money on the products that these people 
contribute to, and 'buying American' then there would be no H1B 
program, as there would be no jobs to fill. "Protectionism" is a 
different thing entirely, protecting an industry from FAIR competition 
from foreign interests. This, on the other hand, protects our citizens 
rights and opportunities under the law, which makes the H1B visa 
program illegal on it's face. If another party can compete for my job 
on a playing field that is weighted to benefit them, then that is 
unfair, and thereby illegal. I HAVE to pay taxes, as my home is in the 
US. I HAVE to pay fees, tariffs, and excise as I LIVE in the US. I HAVE 
to support the economy, as it's the only one I have access to. The H1B 
visa holder has options that are strictly-speaking unavailable to me.
   Second, these people are not necessary to our economy, and are in 
all honestly being exploited by companies as a form of cheap labor, 
rather than to fill a true need. If a company has a valid need for 
personnel that it truly cannot fill from the EXTENSIVE labor pool in 
the US (and in a region that in all likelihood has the highest 
unemployment since the Great Depression), then by all means, an H1B 
visa should be issued. The problem is that these same companies are 
laying-off people that are already doing those jobs, and having H1B 
visa holders do those same jobs. In all honesty, if these companies 
were offering H1B visa holders the same pay and benefits that they were 
offering Americans, then I would be less inclined to argue, however H1B 
visa holders can work for money that others cannot possibly afford, not 
unlike illegal immigrants. Additionally, the opportunity exists for 
visa holders to abuse the system similar to the way that some illegal 
aliens do; by abusing the health care system, the tax laws, and other 
things that are requirements of citizens that will be here for more 
than a year (ask any bill collector how many times they've successfully 
collected from people on a temporary visa). All things that I as an 
American, end up paying for.
   Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all or even most H1B visa 
holders are crooks, but a potential exists that is far less likely in a 
citizen of our country. The arguments used by corporations today are 
NOT VALID. These are the same arguments that have been used throughout 
history; by slave holders, robber-barons, mine owners, and other 
interests whose sole intent is to exploit people for their own selfish 
benefit. Whatever they tell you, it is not helping YOU or your country 
to allow this to continue. Write your congressman.
My two cents (which is what they'd like to pay me per hour),
Grant M.