Most (42) State Governments Shipping (State) Jobs Overseas

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-st...

Most State Governments Shipping Jobs Overseas

Union study finds that contracting tax-funded work to India and other low-wage nations is proliferating despite legislatures' efforts.

By Warren Vieth Times Staff Writer July 15, 2004

WASHINGTON — More than 40 state governments have contracted with companies in India and other low-wage countries to help administer new food-stamp and other taxpayer-funded programs, according to a study released Wednesday by a technology workers union.

The practice by state agencies of sending work overseas has proliferated despite efforts in many legislatures to impose restrictions on doing so, the study said, and foreign firms are becoming more aggressive in their efforts to win government contracts.

"Taxpayers clearly aren't informed," said Marcus Courtney, president of the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers, or WashTech, in Seattle. "Citizens don't necessarily know that their tax dollars are being spent overseas. This is being done quietly and secretly. Oftentimes, the state governments don't even know that this is going on."

In California, at least 11 companies specializing in "offshore" contracting are on the list of state government vendors, according to research commissioned by WashTech, an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America.

One Indian firm, R Systems Inc., has done more than $3 million in computer programming for state agencies, the study said. In addition, California is one of 42 states using overseas call centers to dispense information about a new debit card program that has replaced food stamps throughout the country.<snip>

[aquart]

1. Now THIS should be outlawed. Immediately.

Outrageous. Not to mention a profound security risk.

[mhr]

2. Further Evidence That Bush's Policies To Decimate The Middle Class

are working.

He is destroying America one job at a time.

[Merlin]

3. Incredible that state legislators don't know this and scream and holler

This is a first order offense against the sensibilities of all Americans. I can't believe Dem legislators aren't more ambitious in states with Rep govs in uncovering and raising hell about this. It's a headline grabber for God's sake!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. If you search the transcripts on the White House Web Site...

...you will find many quotes from Bush saying, in effect, that he will not allow anything to stand in the way of free trade and a "global" economy. There are some variations in the way that he states this, but he is essentially saying that if you are opposed to outsourcing, go "F" yourself.

[eagler]

5. Here then is the definition of being unpatriotic -

whenever something is done to undermine the general welfare of the American people. What they are doing is very unpatriotic.

[progressivebydesign]

6. Kerry! Make this an issue? please????

Kerry, Howard Dean,John Edwards, and a handful of others, have America's ear right now... Someone needs to speak up! This is outrageous!

[papau]

7. Has Anyone sent this to Lou Dobbs?

we need a mass emailing!

:-)