If you know anybody in the computer business, he knows somebody who has been out of work. Maybe out of work quite a long period of time. The Information Technology field lost over half a million jobs in 2002 alone. IT is particularly susceptible to outsourcing because, frankly, it doesn’t matter whether you type code in Seattle or New Delhi. In fact, the true unemployment rate among computer professionals is subject to being masked by calling oneself “self-employed” or a “consultant.” Waitresses and cashiers just can’t do that.
Have no fear, the Department of Defense is working on a plan to solve this problem. They would like to institute a “targeted draft” of computer experts and linguists. Of course they would need Congressional approval, but this proposal solves several problems. First, it gives the military technical expertise they desperately need. Second, it puts out of work experts in jobs. Remember, this will positively effect the unemployment rate and the payroll figures.
Oh, and then there is the final benefit. By and large, computer programmers are smart people. And many of them are opinionated. And the unemployed ones have plenty of time to blog and participate in online communities and be politically active. Putting them to work in the military effectively limits what they can spout off about, if nothing else by keeping them busy. Want to know what genuine geeks think of this? Check out the Slashdot commentary, where I initially learned of this story.
There is already loose talk of needing to reinstitute the draft. It is not a big stretch to add a special provision for the draft of skilled professionals. The fact that we are talking about skilled professionals in a field where there have been job losses is strictly gravy.
Remember to vote this fall.