Re:  Shell shipping Houston jobs to India, Philippines

Mentioned within the story about Royal Dutch Shell's decision on "shipping Houston jobs overseas" is the fact that the labor costs for salaries and benefits in India and the Philippines are lower than here in the United States.  Much of that differential can be attributed to a difference in worker training, qualifications, and overall job skill level.  However, it is important to point out that the health care "reform" plan under debate in the Senate (similar to a version already passed by the House of Representatives) — a plan endorsed by the editorial board of the Chronicle — would only serve to increase the cost of benefits for US employees through the imposition of additional mandates, prohibitions, taxes, fines, and regulations.  Further, the Obama Administration and Congress are seeking to impose increased corporate income taxes and capital gains taxes, not to mention the additional proposed costs associated with "cap-and-trade".

As the government actively works to increase the cost of payroll, investment, and commerce, we should expect to see more similar stories of "shipping jobs overseas" in the coming years and months.

Sincerely,
Dave Smith
Houston, TX