OK, I'm going to be the unpopular guy.

To me anyway, this is an issue of perception. When it's my job that
feels the heat of competition, well, competition sucks. When I'm the
one replacing someone else's job, then competition is great. Big Iron
people complained when the mini-computer came out and started eating
their lunch. We were cheaper than those guys and we were more
versatile. And when PCs came to the business workplace, it turned the
screws even tighter on the slow-moving data center. A lot of CICS
programmers lost their jobs.  I mean, holy [log in to unmask] If you bought Turbo
Pascal for $39, you were putting those expensive compiler programmers
out of work. Should we have blocked the mini or micro computer or
Borland to save those high paying jobs? Would that have made this a
better world? The answer generally depends on your point of view now,
doesn't it?

As for only buying local, that's just something I don't get. I often
hear on the radio that we should buy local to support our local
economy. It sounds good and at first blush and it really seems to make
sense at some level. On further reflection, it's really just an
emotional appeal and not necessarily a thoughtful philosophy.

Let's say that there are two products of the same quality but the
local one cost $10 more. I feel patriotic and buy the local one and
support my local economy. Yay! Wait a minute. I have ten dollars less
to spend. I could have supported another local business if I had
bought the less expensive item. There's an unseen victim. Here in
Detroit, I often heard, "If people don't spend the extra $2K to buy
'American' cars, who's going to buy all of those big screen TVs?"
Well, everyone who buys a cheaper car can now afford one!

Also, if I only buy local, wouldn't I be hypocritical if I didn't only
sell local as well? I mean, the other cities/states/countries should
only be buying local too and not from me. I should make my living on
just those around me. Sure, that will reduce the economies of volume
and I'll have to charge more but that would be the patriotic thing to
do. No?

I feel badly for those whose jobs are no longer needed. It's very
personal and extremely frustrating. Some will move on to greener
pastures and actually become grateful for the change while others
never get beyond the pain and anger.

From a completely humanitarian point of view, the gentlemen from India
are trying to take care of their families just as we ours. I cannot
blame them for that. I also understand the hurt of those who lost
their jobs and will have trouble supporting their family. But it's
quite possible that when everyone buys the more expensive local
option, they may very well be killing their own next job.

Just some food for thought.

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Mark W.