US from Ist to SIXTH -- The Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007

[god_bless_you]

The United States, previously in first place, continues to enjoy an excellent business environment, efficient markets and is a global centre for technology development. However, its overall competitiveness is threatened by large macroeconomic imbalances, particularly rising levels of public indebtedness associated with repeated fiscal deficits. Its relative ranking remains vulnerable to a possible disorderly adjustment of such imbalances, including historically high trade deficits

for full report etc --
http://www.weforum.org/en/fp/gcr_200...ghts/index.htm

[anandrajesh]

Originally Posted by god_bless_you

The United States, previously in first place, continues to enjoy an excellent business environment, efficient markets and is a global centre for technology development. However, its overall competitiveness is threatened by large macroeconomic imbalances, particularly rising levels of public indebtedness associated with repeated fiscal deficits. Its relative ranking remains vulnerable to a possible disorderly adjustment of such imbalances, including historically high trade deficits

for full report etc --
http://www.weforum.org/en/fp/gcr_200...ghts/index.htm

I Heard in NPR that restrictions in US Immigration systems is a major contributor to this slide. Can we use this point to press our case?

[andy garcia]

This is the list:

1. Switzerland
2. Finland
3. Sweden
4. Denmark
5. Singapore
6. US


Do you know of anybody that wants to go to the first 4 countries. I don't think so. They are toooo cold for me

[anandrajesh]

Originally Posted by andy garcia

This is the list:

1. Switzerland
2. Finland
3. Sweden
4. Denmark
5. Singapore
6. US


Do you know of anybody that wants to go to the first 4 countries. I don't think so. They are toooo cold for me

I have been living in Minnesota for the last 7 yrs...
So i dont think it wud be too different from what i experience here.
So i shld be ok.

[pappu]

Originally Posted by anandrajesh

I have been living in Minnesota for the last 7 yrs...
So i dont think it wud be too different from what i experience here.
So i shld be ok.

I wonder the reasons for Switzerland to be #1. Its a small country with minimal immigration and not much resources. Key revenue might be from Tourism. They are not known for scientific work etc.
... Maybe swiss bank accounts are key to it !

[fromnaija]

Originally Posted by pappu

I wonder the reasons for Switzerland to be #1. Its a small country with minimal immigration and not much resources. Key revenue might be from Tourism. They are not known for scientific work etc.
... Maybe swiss bank accounts are key to it !

You got that right! Swiss bank accounts of corrupt third world country leaders are the key.

[starving_dog]

The large drop in competitiveness (is that a word?) in the U.S. is largely attributed to the immigrant population posting to message boards during work hours!

[god_bless_you]

Originally Posted by starving_dog

The large drop in competitiveness (is that a word?) in the U.S. is largely attributed to the immigrant population posting to message boards during work hours!

That's one way correct as most of High skills immigrants struck to same jobs from last 3 to 5 years with same responsibilities due to back logs and retrogression

[qualified_trash]

Originally Posted by pappu

I wonder the reasons for Switzerland to be #1. Its a small country with minimal immigration and not much resources. Key revenue might be from Tourism. They are not known for scientific work etc.
... Maybe swiss bank accounts are key to it !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Swiss_companies

actually they do a lot more than tourism........

[immilaw]

Originally Posted by starving_dog

The large drop in competitiveness (is that a word?) in the U.S. is largely attributed to the immigrant population posting to message boards during work hours!

So true. If the retrogression was not there, people will spend their time on other constructive issues.

[IMGPAT]

This is my first contribution of $100 to IV as a new member. I urge my fellow members who have not yet contributed to do so and strengthen the efforts of the IV to get some relief for legal EB immigrants before congress adjourns. I hope IV will keep up their good work and more members will contribute. It could be any amount, please do so. This is our last chance to have something done. Believe me there wont me talk of immigration reform after the November elections until after 2008 elections.

[new_phd]

Originally Posted by pappu

I wonder the reasons for Switzerland to be #1. Its a small country with minimal immigration and not much resources. Key revenue might be from Tourism. They are not known for scientific work etc.
... Maybe swiss bank accounts are key to it !

One big plus for Switzerland: their universities and advancement in technology.

Both ETH and EPFL in switzerland are THE TOP institutes in Europe for advanced technical degrees. Also, in the past 3-4 years, they have undertaken a huge initiative to invite the creme de la creme from around the world to switzerland, and looks like that is also paying off. Every professor/scientist/PhD I know would gladly accept a chance to go there!

So, Im not surprised that they are number 1. They strategized.. and they got exactly where they were trying to get! Whereas here, they got stuck mixing up illegals and skilled people, addressing fencing issues instead of labor backlogs, etc etc...and lost sight of a bigger, more valuable goal.

cheers.
aa

[sbabunle]

Well said new_phd. These politicians lost focus. I've no clue
what they are trying to achieve.

[perm2gc]

Atleast now congress should focus on issues that are really important.. Capitol Hill is
laying roads that leads no way..

[dixie]

I think its just a stereotype that Switzerland is known only for tourism. As new_Phd pointed out, it does have very good universities conducting leading edge research. And they do have substantial immigration, although it is primarily for eastern europe.
The likes of Finland and Denmark do surprise me though.

Originally Posted by pappu

I wonder the reasons for Switzerland to be #1. Its a small country with minimal immigration and not much resources. Key revenue might be from Tourism. They are not known for scientific work etc.
... Maybe swiss bank accounts are key to it !