TO: Mervyn Lobo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mervyn writes, There used to be a time when a teenager in Terre Haute, Indiana could look forward to a bright future. Ever since Bush started giving tax breaks to American companies exporting jobs to Canada, India and China, the job situation has become bleak. In fact, about the only job available to the American teenager there today, is to wear a uniform. The choice being: either volunteer for a uniform from one of the services or a uniform from McDonald's. Sadly, both jobs pay the same minimum wage.
Mario replies: Bush has done nothing as you mention. This is typical bovine excrement from the Globe & Mail. All American companies have always had the same tax advantages, and virtually no restrictions on how they do business. The US economy, after the economic slowdown in 2000-2001 and the shocks of 9/11 has the fastest rate of job growth among all western countries, includion Canada, so I have no idea what you are nattering on about Terre Haute. The US unemployment rate is 5.4%, whereas it is almost 7.5% in Canada and 10% in the major European countries (France, Germany, Spain & Italy), so put away that feni bottle, Mervyn. Taxes by themselves have nothing to do with jobs being outsourced, which is shown by the fact that the US has gained far more jobs from "insourcing" by foreign companies than they have lost to outsourcing. Mervyn writes: I am a sucker for any request to teach people to read and write. Hence most on my money goes to Goa and Tanzania. My contribution to the teenagers of Terre Haute was out of pity. Mario replies: It always amuses me when someone from a less developed country that we support and protect pities us. Mervyn writes: US legislators believe that any attack on N. America is a direct attack on the US. My hats off to the Canadian lobby that has successfully propagated this. It leaves us with much more money to spend on education, health and social services. Mario replies: Our taxes pay for your ability to talk nonsense about us. Mervyn writes: It does not surprise me at all that you stopped reading The Globe and Mail ONLY after you were told by other sources that the newspaper is "full of blatant propaganda, not a respectable newspaper." Just in case you are not aware of it, most Goanetters rely on their own intelligence to make such decisions. Mario replies: No one had to tell me this. All I had to do was compare what they were writing with a number of sources of information now available to us. As long as Goanetters are not reading the propaganda newspapers they will be all right Marvyn writes: My folks, both in their seventies, migrated here only after their cronies assured them that they would receive better medical treatment than in Tanzania (where medical treatment is free too.) They have not been disappointed. Mario replies: I'm glad they're OK. You should talk to the hundreds who come to a border state like Ohio because they cannot wait for a medical procedure in Canada, even if it's free. Mervyn writes: Thanks for your concern. As a small business owner, I am sure you have experienced how medical insurance premiums can almost break the profitability of a business. I am also sure you are aware that American businesses are setting up operations in Canada because the Canadian health policy allows such companies to achieve a distinct competitive advantage: Mario replies: I seriously doubt anyone is moving their business from the US to Canada just for the health care system. If this were so, all the offices and manufacturing operations of foreign companies spreading out across the US would be going to Canada.
