Readers Report
So Long, Silicon Valley?
Although China's technology benchmarks are comparable to those of other large economies, the country's scientific output is way below that of others, because most of the technology is either borrowed or stolen ("High tech in China," Cover Story, Oct. 28). Should future U.S. government policy legitimize and facilitate such exports of technology, brace yourself for an exodus of intellectual property. Take one last good look around, and we may as well kiss Silicon Valley good-bye. Exports of sensitive technology should be restricted to democracies and those who demonstrate their willingness to become democracies--or else we will be encountering situations such as Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, and Pakistan over and over again. China will prove to be no exception.
Nagesh Kuppuraju
Robbinsville, N.J.
As a supplier to the electronics manufacturing industry in both Asia and North America for 25 years, we have seen a cataclysmic shift of high-technology electronics manufacturing to mainland China during the past five years, which has accelerated since China became a member of the World Trade Organization. The top tier of the U.S. electronics industry has systematically exported basic and value-added manufacturing, both of which are fundamental vehicles for the creation of wealth. More than 200,000 jobs in electronics have been lost since 2000, not only in the U.S. but also Mexico. If an Intel Corp. or Motorola Inc. abandons North America for lower costs, where will the ability to develop the next generations of technology come from?
Matthew Holzmann
Newport Beach, Calif.
Instant Runoff Voting: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
There is a simple solution to both major parties' fear that third parties will "spoil" their elections: instant runoff voting ("The greens vs. the Dems: Another nightmare on Election Street?" Washington Outlook, Oct. 28). Instant runoff voting is used in Ireland (to elect the President), in Australia (to elect the House of Representatives), and in London (to elect the mayor), and it will be used for all San Francisco elections beginning in 2003. IRV is already used by absentee voters in Louisiana. Voters indicate their second choice at the same time as their first, and the winner must receive a majority of the vote.
Steve Chessin
Californians for Electoral Reform
Mountain View, Calif.
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Copyright 2002, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
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