Outsourcing and off shoring is a longtime business practice in the United States. Although it has created many job opportunities for Americans, it takes far more away. For example, according to Tom Piatak and the predictions from the University of California-Berkley, more than 14 million American jobs could be outsourced in the next decade. Simply put, outsourcing is contracting out functions that have been done "in-house". "In-house" simply means, in the country. An example of in-house would be when manufacturers in Michigan buy brake pads from Ohio.
Often referred to as the global cousin of outsourcing, off shoring is purchasing a good or service from overseas providers because of lower cost. For example, firms in Mexico supply seat covers and wiper blades to Detroit automakers because it's cheaper. However, although there may be a twofold advantage to outsourcing and off shoring, it is slowly but surely affecting American workers, our economy, and eventually our way of life. It is true that an economy can stand some outsourcing but it seems that the United States does not know where the line should be drawn. When the cost of living is rising and job opportunities are dwindling, how will we be able to survive in the next couple of years? Bottom line, The United States should not outsource American jobs.
According to Robert Parry's article, "Outsourcing Benefit's the U.S", If it costs less to make certain products in Mexico than it does in the United States, then it's difficult to argue to the United States consumers and companies to pay more for those products from U.S. producers. He states that in doing so it "results in a twofold benefit", we the American consumers and companies receive greater efficiency and lower cost. However, according to Tom Piatak's article, "Outsourcing Threatens American Workers", the antidote to outsourcing is a return to economic patriotism by not only the government but businessmen and consumers as well. So who is right?
The American worker wants it all, comfort ability, few hours with high pay and the advantage of staying within their home towns. However, there are some Americans willing to sacrifice it all just to stay afloat. For example, Claudia O'Keefe, author of "The Traveling Bra Salesman", She was a published writer with a promising career in California. As prices went up, she sacrificed her pricey location for a cheaper one, not once but four times. First from New Mexico to Florida, rural Virginia to finally West Virginia. Point being, O'Keefe made a decision to move on in search of a job. Moving to cities with lower cost of living also means taking pay cuts as well. However, when one sees their career ending in one field is it smarter to stay with it in hopes that it will regain its original stature or re-educate yourself in some other field more promising with the time. For example, O'Keefe's father was a traveling bra salesman but when he saw his career fading away he moved on to something more promising and got his real estate license. He found for himself a new life without having to move, however he did have to move on from a life he was comfortable with. So the question is, with outsourcing and off shoring rising will Americans be willing to sacrifice some of their comfort ability in order to live more comfortable lives?
O'Keefe states, refusing to let go of the past can be dangers especially when one does not realize that the past is dust. Living In a state of denial will not pay your bills or put food on the table, Americans need to realize that they need to find a way to make it work or be put on the streets. The once upon a time fairytale of the American Dream is gone and dead, the only thing that remains is survive. Once we have at least acknowledged this notion, we will be able to open ourselves to solutions we have yet to consider, O'Keefe claims. As a nation, Americans always finds a way to come together at times of international crisis, we must do this now before it's too late.
On the other hand, Bruce Raynor, author of "Protect Workers' Rights" states that just a few years ago American workers saw the largest decline of jobs since the Great Depression. At Pillowtex Corp, the largest unionized textile company in the country closed its 16 textile plants and laid off 6,500 employees in 10 states. This was the single largest layoff in state history. Raynor claims, that what happened to Pillowtex workers is only an example of the destructive trends that threaten not only the American way of life, but the global economy as well. If American wages are being cut but they cannot compete with the low wages in China for example, where workers are willing to work for pennies. Antis Chan, a Chinese scholar, warns that "the benefits of globalization will not trickle down to those who make products." Chinese workers are facing some of the same troubles as Americans: continued falling of wages.
In conclusion, it is without a doubt that the American worker can no longer have it all, comfort ability, few hours with high pay and the advantage of staying within their home towns. With the continued loss of jobs and wages, O'Keefe's advice of relocation and re-education are helpful. However, it is known that a poor country with limited job opportunities and resources is also known as a third world country. Is the United States of America slowly falling into this category by outsourcing and off shoring American jobs?
Often referred to as the global cousin of outsourcing, off shoring is purchasing a good or service from overseas providers because of lower cost. For example, firms in Mexico supply seat covers and wiper blades to Detroit automakers because it's cheaper. However, although there may be a twofold advantage to outsourcing and off shoring, it is slowly but surely affecting American workers, our economy, and eventually our way of life. It is true that an economy can stand some outsourcing but it seems that the United States does not know where the line should be drawn. When the cost of living is rising and job opportunities are dwindling, how will we be able to survive in the next couple of years? Bottom line, The United States should not outsource American jobs.
According to Robert Parry's article, "Outsourcing Benefit's the U.S", If it costs less to make certain products in Mexico than it does in the United States, then it's difficult to argue to the United States consumers and companies to pay more for those products from U.S. producers. He states that in doing so it "results in a twofold benefit", we the American consumers and companies receive greater efficiency and lower cost. However, according to Tom Piatak's article, "Outsourcing Threatens American Workers", the antidote to outsourcing is a return to economic patriotism by not only the government but businessmen and consumers as well. So who is right?
The American worker wants it all, comfort ability, few hours with high pay and the advantage of staying within their home towns. However, there are some Americans willing to sacrifice it all just to stay afloat. For example, Claudia O'Keefe, author of "The Traveling Bra Salesman", She was a published writer with a promising career in California. As prices went up, she sacrificed her pricey location for a cheaper one, not once but four times. First from New Mexico to Florida, rural Virginia to finally West Virginia. Point being, O'Keefe made a decision to move on in search of a job. Moving to cities with lower cost of living also means taking pay cuts as well. However, when one sees their career ending in one field is it smarter to stay with it in hopes that it will regain its original stature or re-educate yourself in some other field more promising with the time. For example, O'Keefe's father was a traveling bra salesman but when he saw his career fading away he moved on to something more promising and got his real estate license. He found for himself a new life without having to move, however he did have to move on from a life he was comfortable with. So the question is, with outsourcing and off shoring rising will Americans be willing to sacrifice some of their comfort ability in order to live more comfortable lives?
O'Keefe states, refusing to let go of the past can be dangers especially when one does not realize that the past is dust. Living In a state of denial will not pay your bills or put food on the table, Americans need to realize that they need to find a way to make it work or be put on the streets. The once upon a time fairytale of the American Dream is gone and dead, the only thing that remains is survive. Once we have at least acknowledged this notion, we will be able to open ourselves to solutions we have yet to consider, O'Keefe claims. As a nation, Americans always finds a way to come together at times of international crisis, we must do this now before it's too late.
On the other hand, Bruce Raynor, author of "Protect Workers' Rights" states that just a few years ago American workers saw the largest decline of jobs since the Great Depression. At Pillowtex Corp, the largest unionized textile company in the country closed its 16 textile plants and laid off 6,500 employees in 10 states. This was the single largest layoff in state history. Raynor claims, that what happened to Pillowtex workers is only an example of the destructive trends that threaten not only the American way of life, but the global economy as well. If American wages are being cut but they cannot compete with the low wages in China for example, where workers are willing to work for pennies. Antis Chan, a Chinese scholar, warns that "the benefits of globalization will not trickle down to those who make products." Chinese workers are facing some of the same troubles as Americans: continued falling of wages.
In conclusion, it is without a doubt that the American worker can no longer have it all, comfort ability, few hours with high pay and the advantage of staying within their home towns. With the continued loss of jobs and wages, O'Keefe's advice of relocation and re-education are helpful. However, it is known that a poor country with limited job opportunities and resources is also known as a third world country. Is the United States of America slowly falling into this category by outsourcing and off shoring American jobs?