Of course they did:

AP Investigation: Banks sought foreign workers. In any event, the report shows that "[t]he dozen banks receiving the biggest rescue packages, totaling more than $150 billion, requested visas for more than 21,800 foreign workers over the past six years for positions that included senior vice presidents, corporate lawyers, junior investment analysts and human resources specialists." Did they hire these foreign workers because they were so much better than American workers? Right. Here's the reason: Foreigners are attractive hires because companies have found ways to pay them less than American workers. But you knew that.

So, how do we fight back? Some members of congress will no doubt make some noise about how disappointed they are and they will rage against the greedy bankers, etc., but they are still in the pocket of those who have money. I'm thinking we need to do what we can to support businesses that are located here and hire Americans to do the work. To that end, I'm thinking about moving my checking and savings accounts to a credit union. Does anyone know of a good credit union in Manhattan? As with the media and the mega corporations that won't be happy until we are all officially peasants, we need to starve the beast. Sure, the monied class have a lot of assets and will continue resting easily in their gated communities, but eventually the beasts will starve and with them, one hopes, some of the excesses of the super-rich parasite class. Face facts, we keep these bastards well-fed, one dollar at time.

Comments

[D.R.Scott]

Excellent idea!

Also, if we want to start bleeding the corporate bastards dry, here's another suggestion: as an alternative in using AT&T, Verizon, etc., as a carrier, there's Creedo. These guys direct their profits into progressive causes and the costs are about the same.

As you said, there are other options available. Let's start using them.

[bowtiejack]

Actors Federal Credit Union is the best. They've got a deal with McDonald's for their ATM's, so anywhere there's a Big Mac, you've got a free ATM. Alas you have to be a member of SAG (which nobody can get into) or AFTRA (couple hundred bucks) or Actors Equity (elderly white gay men only).

P.S Just for the record I got in through AFTRA.

[gmb]

D.R. Scott: As bowtiejack knows, I got rid of cable in Feb. 2004 and booted the tv the day after the stolen 2004 election (last thing I watched was Kerry conceding after he had promised that "every vote will be counted"...right). I also check labels and do everything I can not to buy anything made in China. Surprisingly, I've found some stuff still made in the USA. Go figure. I do have verizon, sadly, because I had dsl and I will not use earthlink (their "support" staff are mainly in India and completely unhelpful--not their fault, they have no authority to do anything). I hear Verizon is doing that now. Of course. If I could find a reliable dsl provider in NYC that isn't Verizon, I will switch in a heartbeat. I've never been in a Wal*Mart. I do not eat at fast food chains. And I am looking for a good credit union in NYC. This is how I am starting.
bowtiejack: Well, looks like that is not an option for me. I'm going to look around. I suppose that a truly regional bank that didn't get involved in the financial bullshit would be cool too. I wonder what Commerce Bank has done. GMB