With offshoring, we're our enemy

Regarding offshore outsourcing, I only have one thing to say: We have seen the enemy and he is us! Having lived and worked internationally for more than 10 years, I've been on the "receiving" side of job movements to Asia. As such, I can see the definite benefits to companies' bottom lines as a result of lowered costs as well as market-expansion opportunities internationally.

However, having relocated back to the United States recently and hearing the debate created about exporting American jobs, I think it's worthwhile stepping back and asking whose fault is this trend anyway.

* Who owns the stocks of these companies doing the outsourcing?

* Who is demanding ever-rising returns from these companies?

* Who is management at these companies working for?

* Who wants lower-cost goods?

* Who buys the products made overseas?

To me it's quite clear, the answer to all those questions is the shareholders and customers of these companies. Unless we are able to change our expectations or find another way to compete other than price or more regulations, it's unrealistic to expect that the trend towards outsourcing will stop or even slow down.

Tony Gomes

Mill Creek, Wash.

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