US Companies Are Furiously Creating Jobs... Abroad

From Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge:

America’s largest multinational companies: those who benefit the most from the public sector increasing its debt/GDP to the most since WWII, or just over 100% and rapidly rising, and thus those who should return the favor by hiring American workers, have instead hired three times as many foreigners as they have hired US workers.

At my job there are about 20 of us. A department manager scheduled 400 hours for next week, which averages 20 hours per employee minus the automatic 40 the four dept. managers get. The manager then indicated only 300 hours were authorized. I got my twenty, but those who don’t show up on time properly dressed, and that includes a set of quick reference cards, a box cutter, business cards and a pen, exhibiting the proper sales protocol, were cut to ten or less. When I stated to the dept. mgr that I was willing to be a team player and take less hours, he indicated I received the hours I got because I was a highly effective employee. In my defense, most of my co-workers are very young, in college and not terribly motivated.

On the way home tonight, I stopped by Food Lion for some chuck steaks and the ingredients for what turned out to be an awesome pasta salad, and was informed at checkout that they had done away with baggers. I knew everyone had already gone to part time, but that was consistent with what I’m seeing at work. Those of us who exhibit the ability and desire to do a job are given hours, while everybody else is cut back until they starve or quit.

Jobwise, I’ve never been happier. The money sucks, but the work suits me perfectly. As the economy worsens, companies continue to cut costs. I think they’re just about as lean labor-wise as they can get. The next phase is likely to be reduction in inventory. Up until now, the consumer has continued to enjoy a customary selection of products and prices and has really seen no indication of cost-cutting. As there is no more fat left to cut, that will soon change. If I’m right, we’re about to embark on a new program of reduced selection and higher prices. Perhaps then the average citizen will finally begin to realize the dire straits in which we find ourselves, become politically aware, involved and help to do what’s required to make things better.

BTW, as average citizens begin to come politically active, you’re gonna see a lot of what retailers already know: the short bus bloggers and social retards are more common than you might imagine. The terrible truth is that not everyone is capable of contributing to democracy. A lot, maybe even most, are simply too fucking stupid.