Quote of the day: H-1B suggests too many smart people coming

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates slammed the federal government's strict limits on temporary visas for technology workers Wednesday, saying that if he had his way, the system would be scrapped entirely.

"The theory behind the H-1B (visa)--that too many smart people are coming--that's what's questionable," Gates said during a panel discussion at the Library of Congress in the nation's capital. "It's very dangerous. You can get this idea that the world is very scary; let's cut back on travel...let's cut back on visas."

Gates' comments verged on sarcastic. He said that "it's almost an issue of a centrally-controlled economy versus" and then trailed off. "I'd certainly get rid of the H-1B visa caps," he added when asked what he would do if he could write U.S. laws. "That's one of the easiest decisions."

Gee, what a shock...

As if Bill Gates or any of the captains of
the industry would react any different to the
importation of cheap foreign labor!

We may have a broken political process, but
at least it works enough to keep the caps
in place. I for one wouldn't cry the day they
declare PACS illegal.

[Pete Bardo]

What, we're not smart enough?

Hey, Bill, did you really mean to imply that American programmers are not as smart as others?

[jhong123]

sorry to say, my friend..

that is precisely what billg is saying.. and unfortunately, the trend says he's onto something:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://news.com.com/2100-1022_3-5659116.html" target="_newWindow">http://news.com.com/2100-1022_3-5659116.html</a>

[sphereframe]

I want to be smart too!!

Does it really take this many "smart" people to make really bad software? What makes IT look not so "smart" is when our businesses are disrupted because a Microsoft product crashes. Why don't we all be "smart" people and stop using second rate software. Our tolerance of Microsoft's poor products are astonishing. Did you have to pull off the interstate to reboot your car today?

[jluchford]

Smart people hire cheap temp labor

Bill Gates is right -people are not "smart" to be born in another country. They are even poorer than the out-of-work people in THIS country...at least poor enough that they are willing to work for less money on a temp visa.
Tech support doesn't even get to travel...they are given cubicles in their home countries. Often at 10 percent of American tech support pay.

[Nperry]

Bill Gates and H1-Bs

Bill Gates as a technology "visionary" has a point - if the US has to really sustain its leadership and re-invent its technology growth engine, it must foster, even import talent. Why not export American ingenuity, innovative managerial ideas and managers to? Why can't you export H1-Bs to your overseas markets? These H1-Bs could be American workers trained in US processes and techniques who could make a difference elsewhere and create markets for American companies.

[aroyce]

American cannot lead anymore

How can America possibly lead in technology? Business has determined that technical people in America are too expensive. So why should a young person bust his/her but for a science degree and either end-up like Dilbert or abandon their career for more lucrative pastures. I have one of those engineering degrees, a master's and a current engineer's license. I work for a Mortgage company. That is the reality - someday (soon) it will come back to bite us when all we are is a bunch of lawyers suing each other.