# I pit the United States of America **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 13, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078 "2011-12-13T20:53:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/21 "2011-12-13T23:14:18Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > And since I’m ranting, and you are being - whatever you are being - Witty, charming, amusingly misanthropic with just a dash of cruelty. > [@Hambil](#): > > Please, keeping insulting me while you admit the world is in trouble. That is after all what every honest, intelligent, compassionate person would do. Why I’m offended! I’m going to take my massive mocking skills, which are in huge demand in foreign message boards, and leave this Pit. That’ll show you! ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/22 "2011-12-13T23:20:34Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Care to provide specifics. > [@Hambil](#): > > the odds of my using the very indemand computer skills I have > [@](#): > > It’s called a[braindrain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_drain) > [@Hambil](#): > > …issue. (meaning it affected me directly and personally). > [@](#): > > by in large. > [@](#): > > They were so indemand > [@](#): > > I mean massive unpayed overtime > [@Hambil](#): > > I’ll take a Schrodinger’s cat approach to it Just a few hints. ---
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/23 "2011-12-13T23:37:56Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > My dear fellow, the reason companies in the US outsource talent is because they want to get labor more cheaply than they can get in the US. When other countries don’t mandate things like health care coverage and the very benefits that you are bemoaning have not been forthcoming, they can offer labor more cheaply. > > So I’m not sure which countries you are eyeing to be the recipient of your superior brainpower, but I doubt the grass is greener over there. You’ll either pay for your benefits via a payroll deduction or astronomical taxes. Either way, I assure you that There is no free lunch. Free lunch? Wow - this post is wrong on so many levels. 1. Your assumption that things are just as bad everywhere else is flat our arrogant and uninformed. Not surprising, must Randroid views are. All I have to do is look North, from Seattle, to a country that Fox news and Republican Radio won’t go to, because of their laws requiring truth in media. 2. I worked for 25 years, in a high paying field, and paid a ton of taxes. 3. If you thinking saying 25 years of computer skills makes me marketable to other countries is saying I have ‘superior brainpower’, than I do, to you at least. The reality is all I have are solid computer skills and some talent. But that’s all I need. Again, you have no idea what the world outside the US is actually like, apparently. 4. Since you apparently don’t know what a brain drain is, what causes it, or the consequences of it, I’ll try to help, though from what I’ve seen so far you are in no danger of being part of a brain drain. [HuffPost - Breaking News, Politics, Entertainment & Opinion](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/15/brain-drain-college-grads-wall-street_n_1069424.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/15/brain-drain-college-grads-wall-street_n_1069424.html) ---
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/24 "2011-12-13T23:38:56Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > Just a few hints. Most useless post ever award. Congrats. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/25 "2011-12-14T00:20:27Z")
Besides yours, you mean? ---
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/26 "2011-12-14T00:24:56Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > Besides yours, you mean? Yes, you exceptionally clever person. Besides mine. And I’ll add a nou to that. And my dad is bigger than your dad. Apparently, much like other ‘free speech’ forums I’ve visited, the shit rises to the top until only idiots are left posting regularly. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/27 "2011-12-14T00:25:47Z")
But don’t you get it? Everyone else is dumb. Hambil is S-M-R-T Smart! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/28 "2011-12-14T00:28:59Z")
I’m glad the OP’s not in MY country. You guys are welcome to him. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/29 "2011-12-14T00:52:16Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Then you have a clear misunderstanding of the laws of supply and demand in regards to computer programmers. Once I am working again, I can live anywhere in the world I want, with few exceptions. No country that I know of denies computer programmers - we are on everyone’s short list for immigration. I’m not talking about computer programmers in general. I’m talking about you specifically. I suspect you’ll never do anything more than whine about how unfair life is. But if you actually do ever try to emigrate, you’ll find that countries are like women - given a choice, none of them are going to want to have you inside of them. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/30 "2011-12-14T00:56:34Z")
Does he know how much we pay in taxes here to get our free healthcare? It’s great, I’m way in favour of the Canuck system, but still, he’d best check it out before jumps the fence. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/31 "2011-12-14T01:00:10Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > In the meantime (unable to work for medical reason that are nobody else’s business really - by law)… Self inflicted? ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/32 "2011-12-14T02:33:28Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > All I have to do is look North, from Seattle, to a country that Fox news and Republican Radio won’t go to, because of their laws requiring truth in media. I’ve never immigrated to Canada, but unfortunately for you Software Engineer is no longer on the list of [desired talents for skilled workers](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp#list) immigrating to Canada. So I can’t say for sure, but there’s a pretty good chance that we don’t want you either. > [@](#): > > Again, you have no idea what the world outside the US is actually like, apparently. Do you? Have you ever actually been to Canada, or this just a fantasy you have about the land of free health care and honest media? I love Canada, it’s my home, but it’s no utopia. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/33 "2011-12-14T02:45:35Z")
Shouldn’t you be packing? Or did the government tear down your tent? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/34 "2011-12-14T03:23:59Z")
Don’t let the door hit you in the arse. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/35 "2011-12-14T03:36:07Z")
Is it me or does th OP seem to be under the impression that there are more than two objectavists on the Board? And does he not realize the Randfans here are routinely mocked? Sounds like he thinks his criticisms are unique and eye opening. Also, I hire a lot of programmers. Overseas. Does the OP’s fantasy account for earning the prevailing wage rate in those countries? Standard of living isn’t that high. Lastly, wasn’t there a Cracked article a little while ago about the reality of being an expat? If findable, would help the Op Of course, I could be way off base–surgery didn’t go so well and I,m heavily medicated. If I’m far off, I hope th OP accepts my apologies. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/36 "2011-12-14T05:14:07Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > All I have to do is look North, from Seattle, This explains a lot - get help for the depression and you might feel differently. Or not. I’m not getting why you feel the need to Pit the U.S. There are countries that I wouldn’t want to live in (that I have actual experience with!) yet I’ve never felt the need to Pit them. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/37 "2011-12-14T12:35:55Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > Self inflicted? He doesn’t have to divulge–by the law! Of course, I’ve heard that places like India and Canada mandate that posters immediately divulge their medical condition when discussing them on internet message boards, so there’s one point in favor of the United States! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/38 "2011-12-14T13:06:17Z")
I think you may enjoy this, check it out. (hope I got it right!) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mWQf13B8epw/maxresdefault.jpg "Canadian, Please | gunnarolla & Julia Bentley") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQf13B8epw) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/39 "2011-12-14T13:12:07Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Before the [dot.com](http://dot.com) bubble burst, software engineers had the power in the industry by in large. They were so indemand they could set their conditions (the companies wanted to hire them more than they wanted to be hired). After the bubble burst, that changed (but only briefly - for about 2-3 years). > > The industry took advantage of that time to switch it’s policies from hiring employees to hiring contractors. You got no benefits and often very little say in working conditions (by this, in my field, I mean massive unpayed overtime - and by massive I mean regular 60-80 weeks. In theory they had to pay contracts for that overtime, but somehow the law let them get around that (I’m not sure how)). Software engineers, as a group, sound like a bunch of people who think they’re too smart to need to belong in a union, but are really too stupid to realize that they should unionize. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078/40 "2011-12-14T13:32:29Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > No country that I know of denies computer programmers - we are on everyone’s short list for immigration. Erm…no you’re not. And I say that as a programmer myself. Hate to break the bad news, but the huge surge in well trained/qualified developers and analysts from India and Asia mean that we’re not exactly in short supply, anywhere, for pretty much any standard development platform. Even the niche ones are pretty well supplied now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-united-states-of-america/606078.md?page=3)