"The Problem Isn't Outsourcing" By Robert Reich

[JDPriestly]

2. American universities are among the best in the world.

America tries to give every child the same chance at higher education and opportunity. That is not true in many countries in the world. In those countries, only the top performers in grade school go to an academic high school. Of course, if you limit access to an academic high school to your best students, you get better test scores -- at least from those students. That gives the world the impression that your schools are the best.

In the US the children who excel in academics are mixed in with everyone else in public schools. That is a wonderful thing in that we have a lot more social integration at least in smaller communities.

But it gives the world a false impression about the abilities of Americans.

In fact, our universities and the students who are educated in them are among the best and brightest in the world. That's why we attract so many talented students and teachers from around the world.

It isn't a matter of education. Germany protects its workers and its environment, and the workers respond by working productively. We need to protect our workers. In addition, the VAT tax in Germany and some other European countries more fairly imposes the costs for a social safety net on products whether produced in Germany or in some other country.

As for China, it was until recently an extremely poor country in which a portion of the population was starving. So, they are willing to do almost anything at this time to insure economic well-being. But, just wait until the working people decide they want better pay and some rights in the workplace. It will happen. It is human nature to want rights and a better life.

For Americans, outsourcing is very much the problem. We should introduce a VAT and lower proportionately the taxes we impose on employers and employees to support social welfare programs. That is what Germans do. We need to protect jobs and workers in this country as they do in Germany.

We are paying a horrible price and not being told the truth about what is going on in other countries.