Technical Tidbits™

I’ve taken a bit of heat as of late in my call to boycott American companies with anti-American sentiment.

While this may be a good thing because it means people are actually reading what I wrote, my intention is also being misunderstood based on the comments I’m getting.

First let me say that I have no problem with any company outsourcing. That’s not the issue. Nor, do I have a problem with workers who are here on HB1 visa’s. That’s not the issue. And I do not have a problem with any culture foreign or otherwise.  That’s not the issue.

Here’s what I take issue with.

1. American founded companies that told us way back that we – the American consumer – would benefit from their ability to outsource workers through lower prices.

Am I the only person in this country that remembers that? Is the news media correct that we have an ADD memory as American’s? Come on! Someone else has to remember this line of BS we were fed back then! And if necessary, I’ll freaking find references to it online!

2. American founded companies that lie about why they are using outsourcing.  They may speak out of one side of their mouth that they can’t find talent here, but the other side is speaking to the shareholders about the cost savings to their bottom line.

The truth is in the statement from IBM that they want their staff to outsource themselves! See: A President’s Day Call to Action.  But, at a rate of pay indicative of the country they are moving too! Is that not demeaning the American worker and the wages that American’s should be earning?

And what does this say about the country as a whole? That you’re company is willing to ship the citizens to foreign countries just to save a buck?

Surely, I cannot be the only person who sees how insane and ridiculous this is, am I?

You know, I use Comcast High Speed Internet and Cable services. The few times I’ve had to call them for problems, I’ve gotten a call center in Mexico and in Canada. I don’t complain. Comcast has NEVER undermined this country nor do they have a policy of NOT hiring American workers when American workers are called for.

I have worked along outsourced staff in many companies and I really feel the most for them. They feel that we American’s hate them for taking our jobs. And that’s just not true! There are many valuable outsourced HB1 visa staffers who provide a valuable service in areas that are needed and that American workers cannot fill. I’m not complaining about that!

In any company I’ve called you to boycott, I’ve cited that they have anti-American, or anti-American worker sentiment. Like Microsoft, Dell, and IBM.

I talked about IBM above and the same insanity about America is shown in Dell’s charging us – American’s – for support in English!

Let me ask you this? If you purchased a computer from Japan while in Japan and you had to call for service, wouldn’t you expect to get a call answered in Japanese? Yes you would!  And if you bought the same computer in French-speaking Canada, would you not expect that their customer service reps speak French? Yes you would!

Dell is supposed to be a freaking American company! Why do we have to pay for American English speaking support?

And I’m not even going to get into Microsoft anymore.  All I can say is Karma Baby, karma!

InfoWorld published an article with the headlines: Microsoft cuts software leasing costs to retain companies.  Which at first sent me jumping for joy until I read this:

“One reseller I talked to says he has never seen Microsoft doing this level of promotion and price cutting in the enterprise space,” he said. And “from Microsoft’s point of view, they’d rather have a low-priced subscription customer than a customer who simply didn’t renew their Software Assurance. They’re still making lots of money off it.”

I guess Microsoft’s crying wolf is much like the little boy in the fairy tale!

So, to clarify, we are not calling for a boycott of any company who outsources! We are calling for a boycott of American companies that have anti-American, or anti-American worker sentiment!

This is not a witch hunt for outsourcing companies. This is just a call to action to put our American money where our businesses support our country and it’s citizens! It’s not protectionism, elitism, nor ethnocentrism.  It’s called being American and supporting American business that in turn supports America!

And while I’m at it, I think we should call for a boycott of Citibank. Not for any anti-American sentiment but on the grounds of stupidity! How dare you pay out bonuses when you take bailout money!

If I had a Citibank account, I’d close it immediately and move to a local bank.

Money talks American readers! Start putting your money where your values lie! Put up or shut up! If you’re angry with the way the companies are handling workers, stop buying their products. If you’re angry with the way financial institutions are handling the bailout money and making stupid decisions, pull your accounts! If you’re angry with the stupidity of your congressional leader, tell them!

We American’s are offered a wonderful opportunity. We have the right to protest and speak our minds even though our elected leaders will do what the hell they want to anyway and despite our objections. But hey, at least we have the right to do so! And that includes how and where we spend our money!

That’s all I’m saying!

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