Outsourcing Old News -- Unfortunately, outsourcing has been going on for years, both inside and outside the United States. For example,
* Migrant laborers working mainly agricultural jobs in the States, where "legal" workers don't want to do that kind of work;
* Nike making shoes in sweatshops in the Third World;
* Even consumers buying imported cars such as Kia over Chevrolet or Ford
-- are all examples of outsourcing.
Local companies such as Center Partners, ICT, and Dakotah provide outsourcing solutions (and local jobs) for companies such as AT & amp;T, AOL, etc. who'd rather not pay union wages and retirement benefits to their own employees. It's really nothing new to have workers in India (for example) provide tech support for computers sold not just here but overseas too. We live in a true global market, but heck, we do enjoy imported food, drink and Japanese electronics!
Phil Hanes
Spokane, Wash.
Oligarchy Isn't Patriotic -- Will our nation revert to its traditional, open democracy with both a Bill of Rights and a Constitution that respect the will of the people? Or will it perpetuate the oligarchy now in place? Webster's Dictionary defines an oligarchy as "government in which supreme power rest with a few; those who constitute the ruling few." Under the Bush oligarchy, an elite group makes decisions behind closed doors for the benefit of a few at the expense of the many who are denied participation in the decisions.
Witness the unheeded massive demonstrations across our country protesting the group's unilateral decisions that ignore civil rights, abrogate international accords and treaties, and commit lives and taxes to an illegal war. Nor did they heed foreign opinion in international matters, unless it agreed with the group's party line.
As a U.S. Air Force World War II veteran, I have witnessed the glories and failures of more than a few presidencies. I am not a doctrinaire of any political party but will vote for the party that restores American democracy over the oligarchy we are now saddled with. It will be patriotic to do so.
Jules Gindraux
Hayden, Idaho
Publication date: 10/07/04
