Having 401(k) dollars invested in highly profitable global companies is a good thing. I like my dividends and appreciating equities.

But you wanna know what would be even better? Actually HAVING a 401(k). I lost mine when my employer became economically non-viable due to Walmart-driven changes in our business climate. Our technology company and all its high paying jobs was a victim of a globalizing marketplace.

I know, boo hoo, pity on me.

I wonder...do those Chinese engineers get a 401(k)? Do the soon-to-be-underemployed Utah BDEL staffers get a 401(k) benefit when they go to work as seasonal Snowbird employees?

I hear what you're saying, if by "ostrich politics" you're referring to the folks who refuse to acknowledge the need to be globally competitive in a global marketplace. My point is that we as a county are not competitive. There are very, very few things that we do that are world-leading. Our job base is becoming service and low-tech. Basically those of us left behind will be doing the jobs that can't be easily outsourced. And as wages fall, our standard of living will soon no longer be world leading. China's gain is our loss. Kudos to you for embracing the future. I'm a dinosaur who never wanted to travel that far. I hope my son's do better. One has already worked a spell for an India-based network management firm, so I guess he'll be global enough when he needs to be.

I am an engineer who was laid off 5 yrs ago from a dream job. I do have a “non – technical” engineering job now, and fortunately I get paid well enough. But I will be very lucky if I ever again hold a job doing the technical design work I went to school for and loved. My employer’s partners hire the technical engineering staff and manufacturing plants in china. They are very proud of their manufacturing and the way they treat workers.

But WHAT about my cheap Petzl-Charlet gear? This thread is about ME damnit!

But WHAT about my cheap Petzl-Charlet gear?

What about it?
Did you expect an I-can-get-it-for-you-wholesale reply?

I work in the Film Industry and the primary reason film work continues to thrive in the United States is because we still command cultural supremacy in the world.
Our stories sell. However, we cannot afford to give away the house any longer if we hope to hang onto our standard of living and our continuing creative and intellectual output.

That doesn't make any sense...

damn the
euro
baht
pound
canadian dollar
aussie $
NZ $
yen
yuan
etc
etc

damn! the "bushman" for fucking us all!

damn
damn
damn

I fail to see where it is the President's fault that we remain dependent on foreign oil and the ensueing devaluation of the dollar.

Then you're an idiot...

Bad response. You'd do better to enlighten Chip.