>PMFJI Al,
>
>>>Your comparison of the hardware inside a PC and outsourcing software development is specious. Robots in India, Taiwan, etc. differ little from those within the U.S.
>>
>>Let's assume that's true. Why, then, aren't all electronic components made in the U.S.?
>
>One reason - cost. Recycling/disposal of etchant, defluxers, and cleaning solvents used in circuit board production can be upwards of 5 times the original cost. I'm not familiar with semiconductor production, but I suspect there are similar costs. Beyond that are other costs - Superfund comes to mind. We are still dealing with disposals from the 60's and 70's today. How are these other countries competing? Use your imagination...

Jim;

Another factor or reason to outsource is safety. I have been involved with semiconductor technology, and chemical disposal. Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) are a means to document chemicals and safety requirements. The Silicon Valley water table is contaminated due to chemical dumping. That is a long story and very painful.

To resolve safety issues and the many years it took to create laws to protect United States workers and the general public, American companies simply outsource manufacturing to a foreign country. The countries where American manufacturing is outsourced do not have laws to protect their workers. When someone is made sick or disabled by a toxic chemical used in manufacturing in such an instance another worker is hired to replace him or her.

We worry about Enron accounting practices and other subjects of that nature. Taken as a whole, businesses in general do as they please. There are tight regulations in some areas and these just tend to bankrupt companies or they find ways and means to thrive!

In the auto industry the Big Three have engineers and attorneys that are cognizant of manufacturing flaws that threaten human life. They do an analysis and determine how many people will be killed by a particular problem for a model and year of manufacturing. The liability is considered and production does not stop nor is it modified to resolve the issue. When there is public outcry or liability becomes potentially too great you can expect a recall.

Tom