Right. At least some of this has to do with horrid living and working conditions still in practice in various parts of the world. Until that changes, we can't compete pricewise. It just seems to me that until we address these concerns, those countries will always be that way... undeveloped nations with most of their potential being wasted. Well, except the potential for being exploited by outside interests.

There's an idea... maybe we should force these companies to help subsidize the development of the nations they're exploiting? Nothing puts off a company like infrastructure investment!
---J

>I agree with you on principle but sadly that is not necessarily the practice. I do not have to mention the low wages, poor treatment, lack of sanitation, long hours, lack of human rights, etc in the labor force in countries U.S. businesses are relocating to. We can never compete with that because our labor force would never return to working under those conditions and our laws would prohibit it here. Yet the quality of the work is just as good if not better overseas. When it comes to the more technical positions, there is no question that some countries are beginning to corner the market on qualified workers and due to the cost of living, will never have to pay the same labor wages there as here in the states. Until the human factor is realized there will not a resounding return of business to the U.S. When sales slack off because customers are tired of not understanding the customer support technician on the phone or products are returned and sales stop when customers cannot
>communicate with the customer support personnel in other countries then business will be returned to the U.S. or another country where English is the primary language. That only pertains to customers in the U.S., however as a U.S. citizen that is my primary concern right now. Not until living conditions improve in competitive countries and the salary wages increase accordingly will it be cost effective for businesses to return. Not until the government provides incentives. I could go on and on an on. As long as it makes good business sense to move overseas it will continue to occur. I understand that quite well, I am afraid that nothing is being done about it here in the states.