Believe it or not, Outsourcing *is* OK
CBS News | Bush Econ Advisor: Outsourcing OK | February 16, 2004�07:04:23
This story from CBS is an Interesting commentary.
What surprises me more than anything else though, is that it is another example of politicians fleeing from thoughtful analysis for fear that the American populace will condemn them for holding a view that seems contrary.
Outsourcing has been portrayed lately as another example of a Bush Administration seeking the well being of corporations, to the detriment of the "working class families." In fact, the Kerry campaign is pointing out quite consistently that we have a large number of jobs that have "moved" overseas. The fact is, most business professors will tell you that the globalization of the economy, and the "outsourcing" as it is so popularly described, has helped fuel the economic growth seen throughout the 90s. Yes, the 90s--that era of Clinton growth so touted by Democrats.
It is the ability to find, and leverage, comparative advantage, I commend http://internationalecon.com/v1.0/ch40/40c000.html as a good discussion of comparative advantage.
It is unfortunate that we find ourselves once again seeking to protect jobs that have become uncompetitive rather than encourage people to be re-educated, or at a minimum retrained, to do jobs in which we ourselves have a competitive advantage. Of course, educating America is a herculean effort, and given that those charged with that very task, educating America, have consistently allied themselves with a particular party, and a particular agenda, it is a task we won't see tackled any time soon.
This is the problem with much of the discussion from the politicians. Because things seem, as that academic link says, to be counterintuitive, or worse, to be without heart, we distance ourselves from it, no matter how truthful.
Homework for today is quite simple: Read the link, and answer this thought question: How would you educate America on those issues that seem on the face counterintuitive, but if accepted would greatly improve our lot as a nation? Submit your thoughts, as a comment on this blog!