[dirtboy]

I disagree with your premise. In my experiences regarding offshoring, it is driven by corporate bean-counters trying to lower short-term costs. Period. And in the two instances I have direct experince with, it did not go terribly well. But as long as it saves a few bucks on the bottom line, who cares if quality suffers?

Smart companies do. Dumb ones do not.

[KC_Conspirator]

What a bunch of ivory tower stupidity! I have heard this crap all before and you will find that there is never a mention of the word "quality" (except in a footnote here). Quality always suffers when outsourcing American jobs. But nothing matters but the bottom liiiiine.

However, with the current bunch of economic illiterates running congress and the white house, why would anyone start or expand a business in this country?

[dfwgator]

I disagree with your premise. In my experiences regarding offshoring, it is driven by corporate bean-counters trying to lower short-term costs. Period. And in the two instances I have direct experince with, it did not go terribly well. But as long as it saves a few bucks on the bottom line, who cares if quality suffers?

And of course, inevitably when the SHTF, the managers responsible for the offshoring are long gone, and it's up to some other poor sap to clean up the mess.

[Willie Green]

In my experiences regarding offshoring, it is driven by corporate bean-counters trying to lower short-term costs. Period.

Myopic corporate beancounters (and Wall Street bankers) are merely "useful idiots" for long-term marxist planners like Blinder.

[businessprofessor]

You are too myopic in your perspective. I do not doubt your observations and decision making time horizons. These policies have major impacts on short-term costs. The immediate impacts of these laws are often difficult to measure. The long term impact will be unmistakenable however. The Lilly Ledbetter law is a good example. Over time, litigation associated with this law and new regulations and practices necessary to comply with the law and avoid litigation will have a major impact on hiring and retention of good talent. Corporate decision makers will take notice and move work to locations without these restrictions.