[NTLUG:Discuss] Job Searching

[Daniel Hauck]

> The other side of the coin is that H1B workers lower costs for
> companies.  This in turn helps boost stock prices and lower product
> prices.  As consumers (and maybe as stockholders) we win on this one.
> This is more or less the free market argument.  It makes some sense (as
> does the restriction argument).

"Trickle down economic theory" didn't work in the 80's... we're still
waiting for the trickle effect.  It's not coming.  You cannot expect a
long-term benefit to the economy when U.S. executives and management are
looking at the short-term for profits.

>
> Which one is most persuasive probably depends on your situation, but my
> guess is that for most of us our paycheck is more important than any
> stock holdings or product consumption - hence limiting H1B visas makes
> sense.
>
> Now here's the nasty twist.  If companies can't import the H1B workers
> they want, especially software companies, it is tremendously easy to
> have the development work done overseas (essentially an unlimited H1B
> situation) and then just transfer the software back here via the
> internet.  Package it up here, perhaps (and claim that it's American
> made) and sell it.  All without any American software engineering.  The
> jobs are gone permanently.  There is no law against it.  Oh, yeah, and
> the guys with the stock options and bonuses have just made a killing.

If that kind of thing would really work, it'd be done a bit more often than
it is now.  The REALITY is that, as far as software development is
concerned, experienced American programmers are training and guiding the
sweat-shop programmers from other countries... can't get that benefit/effect
if you move the shop overseas.

I doubt the motivation is about "public image" because we all know about
"Nike" shoes and the bad press that no one cares about in the least...

> But, of course, we have a shortage of skilled software engineers in the
> USA (and I have a bridge in New York that I'll sell cheap).

uh, yeah... sell me the bridge and I'll see you in court.