IBM's Stimulus Grab

Good idea but no more jobs outside US

The IBM proposal is very smart. Gov't should take a serious look at it.

However, there should be a requirement that any company which receives governement business must not move ANY jobs from the US to other countries. It would be criminal to create jobs and not fill them all with Americans.

of @ Jan 18, 2009 19:38:11 PM

IT MAKES SENSE

The previous arguments MADE SENSE:

Isn't that better than 3 million going to illegal aliens pouring concrete?

IBM is a world class company with the technological expertise to assess a need and devise a solution. Have already done many innovations that keep US in the forefront benefiting all of us.

Create new systems that could modernize America's infrastructure, unclog our highways, or create new curriculum learning systems for education at the K-12 level

IBM has become a great company that does some very innovative(and not in the MS sense) so I believe they could pull this off, but for many companies it could be a disaster.

Why giving to defunct Banks, and some companies especially w/out being in control where the money go, & keeping high paid wall streeters & others multimillion $ bonuses

Perry of IL @ Jan 16, 2009 20:00:07 PM

U.S. Jobs does not mean Jobs for U.S. Citizens

Notice that Mr.Palmisano has never stated that newly created jobs would be filled by U.S. Citizens.

Anonymous @ Jan 15, 2009 21:37:04 PM

thoughts from IBM

Rick,

if I may offer some clarifications from IBM. First, it's important to note that our estimates of job creation are all US-based jobs (responding to the poster above). Also, yes, it's true that IBM has something to gain here. We don't want to hide that fact by any means. But, that doesn't mean this isn't the right place for investment. We believe strongly that it is.

Also, our estimates are that the majority of jobs created from this will be in the small business sector - not at IBM. Take a look at this blog post from IBM's Chris Caine (vp of government affairs) http://www.asmarterplanet.com/blog/2009/01/investing-in-smarter-infrastructure-will-create-more-than-949000-in-2009.html. Look at the graph in the middle of the post to get an idea of our estimates for job creation. Of the 949K jobs we estimate could be created, 524K would be small business jobs.

Finally, about your point that $10 billion isn't enough to completely rebuild our power grids to make them smart grids - we agree. The numbers we outlined are annual investment recommendations and, we believe, are enough to kick start the program and create 140K new jobs in the first year alone.

Adam Christensen of NY @ Jan 15, 2009 12:14:30 PM

Oh really

The money should be matched at least dollar-for-dollar by IBM. And the jobs would have to stay in America. Also, what about the issue of many companies offering similar deals and being turned down. IBM has become a great company that does some very innovative(and not in the MS sense) so I believe they could pull this off, but for many companies it could be a disaster.

Maven of CA @ Jan 15, 2009 04:08:15 AM

Thinking Ahead

IBM is a world class company with the technological expertise to assess a need and devise a solution. Creating well paying jobs and creating a partnership between government and the private sector would boost the American economy. Maybe it's time to think out of the box and create new systems that could modernize America's infrastructure, unclog our highways, or create new curriculum learning systems for education at the K-12 level

Obama should create a new technology innovation cabinet post that would deal specifically with issues that would enhance the use of computers and the internet in the 21th century. Creating innovative partnerships between business, government, and educational institutions would bring a wealth of new ideas and possibilities for a better tomorrow.

Roy Goldstein of NY @ Jan 14, 2009 23:17:33 PM