[Superman]

I am actually sensitive, respectful of the argument that the company must stay healthy. Not necessarily using low wages, but must have the authority to outsource if necessary. I "grok" all that. Of course, I am never quite sure where the perfect balance is, and I am hesitant to set aside Americans' wage and benefit needs in favor of keeping corporate America "healthy," especially when corporate America's profits and stock prices seem robust, to say the least.

But there is another concept nagging at me. I recognize that America's affluence is in jeopardy, in a global market. For certain work, other nations offer lower wages to corporations, and a better ratio of cost/production. For American workers to match that, their high wages mean that they must be WAY WAY more productive. We are more productive, but not that much. In other words, we have downward wage pressure in our present and future. But I am not yet comfortable, and not wanting to get comfortable, with the idea that American workers and American citizens just need to accept getting our asses kicked in the efficiency and affluence department. That's asking America to lower its expectations, and lower its standard of living. I have a real problem with that as an American. A patriot, if you will.

I have a dream. I wonder if American workers might just wave goodbye to those companies whose loyalty to them is absent.....and work had to improve the competitive posture of those companies who deliberately choose to partner with us. In other words, it is not a forgone conclusion in my mind that the only solution is to give up, drop our trousers and bend over. I would rather fight. And......I think America has some special "stuff." Boeing is probably a good example. Sure, perhaps they could save a few buck getting components made in India, but we have been finding that those components don't fit like we had hoped. Airliner manufacturing is not like making t-shirts. Americans are innovators. Problem-solvers. Ideal for Boeing's industry. I hope Boeing and the Machinists find a way to complete. I have faith in both the management there, and the capabilities of the workers who build those airplanes. I wonder if we need to use Indias' workforce to build the best airplanes on the planet. I like to believe we don't.