>>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.
>

Oh, I agree fully. The manufacturers are simply skirting around the Federal and state mandates for public and worker safety. Bottom line is the bottom line. Don't imagine for a second they do it out of any concern for the public. Much simpler and cheaper to move it offshore. Now it's "someone else's problem".

Interesting link: http://www.towardfreedom.com/1999/nov99/toxicchips.htm Once again your Silicon Valley wins.