About those foreign workers...

Massachusetts has to rely on foreign workers to replace the Exodus of young people from the state. I had this to say about it:

Massachusetts needs to rely on international immigration policies...which will turn decidedly against immigration during a massive economic downturn. On top of which, the Congress and President are sticking xenophobic "Buy American" clauses into their legislation, at the very least fueling nativist sentiment.

More evidence comes from Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa.

Microsoft's plans to lay off 5,000 workers have ruffled the feathers of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a long-time critic of the U.S. H-1B visa program. Microsoft, a top 10 employer of H-1B visa holders, has been among the most vocal tech companies over the last several years urging Congress to raise the cap on H-1B visas. Now Grassley is urging Microsoft to furlough those temporary foreign workers first before handing out pink slips to Americans and permanent U.S. residents.

Someone on Beacon Hill ought to start thinking about how to attract American workers.