Xiaofan Chen wrote:
>> - Why should programmers get special protection? What about other people
>> (say, textile workers)? Why don't we just close down the borders (or 
>> impose
>> high tariffs on all products), and thus protect ALL industries?
>
> I think this is because US does have an edge in hi-tech industry.

O-k... so we should protect an industry that is already more competitive 
than other industries?

> In the days of globalization it is very difficult to be self-sufficient 
> even
> though US is so lucky to have plenty of nature resources and a good 
> system.

What's so great about being self-sufficient, anyway?

>> - If the company's only goal is to pay unlivable wages to its 
>> programmers,
>> how can the foreigners survive (they too have live in the US), and what 
>> is
>> their incentive to come in the first place?
>
> The salary is not really unlivable, just lower than the one who holds the 
> job
> before. They can survive. They can live a better life after getting the 
> green
> card and later the citizenship. Their children can live a better life. 
> These
> are all incentives.

Given the current legislation, workers in question must go back to their 
home country after their period of employment (measured in months) is over. 
Of course, if such worker gives birth to a child while in the US, the child 
can stay -- since they are considered US citizens by birth. Total nonsense.

> Sometimes people just blindly believe that life in
> US is good.

I believe this with my eyes wide open. :)

>> - Why not give the American educational system a kick in the pants, so it
>> would start churning out smart, productive programmers who can 
>> successfully
>> out-compete people from the outside?
>
> I do not know much about the school education system here. However
> I certainly think the children are happier here than in China/Japan/India 
> and
> might be more creative.

How do you figure?

> And I think there are many good universities here.
> The US PhD programs are certainly one of the best among the world.

There's a disconnect b/w public schools and universities/colleges. People 
who can't read after graduating from high school are not college material.

Teacher's unions are at the root of the problem with public schools. Tenures 
have a similar effect on universities, although to a lesser extent (at least 
the professors have to "earn" their job protection).

Vitaliy 

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