Robert T. Barro's "Why are the Dems griping about jobs?" (Economic Viewpoint, Oct. 4) discusses only employment rates. It does not mention the fact that jobs that may have been created are not always as good as those that were lost. As Internet classes expand in popularity, perhaps Barro will get a firsthand look at his job and ivory tower going to a professor in Bangalore, as many "uneducated" engineers and scientists have seen over the past few years.

Sam Lowenstein

Vienna, Va.

Not only democrats are griping about jobs. So are far too many Americans. The unemployment rate has dipped because so many Americans have simply given up hope of finding a job: They're no longer counted in the statistics. Those jobs that have been created pay, on average, almost $9,000 less per year than the job that the worker previously held.

Last week, the U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission held a hearing in Akron. Testifying were businesses and workers frustrated by the economy's poor performance and the President's refusal to enforce the trade laws. They feel betrayed because they work hard and play by the rules and expect a fair chance to compete in the world economy. Unfortunately, President Bush has refused to enforce our trade laws, resulting in business after business closure and the offshoring and outsourcing of jobs. One or two months of lackluster economic statistics cannot wipe out an Administration of neglect and decline.

Michael Wessel, Commissioner

U.S.-China Economic & Security

Review Commission

Washington Being from India and having done my graduate studies in the U.S., I agree with the concerns that academic institutions have raised regarding attracting bright students ("Keeping out the wrong people," Information Technology, Oct. 4). Due to the reduction of H1B visas, many companies are unable to absorb immigrant graduates from graduate schools, since the quota gets filled quite soon. Students requiring H1B sponsorship for their job are extending their stay at school. This limits the school's ability to admit new prospective students.

Whatever the outcome of the debate on national security vs. immigration, watching the growth of countries like India and China now attracting their denizens to stay behind will be an excellent manifestation of globalization and many other debates that are soon to follow.

Srinvas Balla

Fairfax, Va.

"Keeping out the wrong people" has upset me. I am a U.S. citizen, and in May I completed my master's degree. After six months of searching, I am still unemployed. What is wrong with hiring Americans? Why do we need to be looking overseas, when educated Americans can't find jobs?

Linda Johnson

Centennial, Colo.

My husband is one of these "highly skilled" workers in the scientific field who came to work in the U.S., and eventually stayed. I am surprised that you do not raise the crucial question of the deficiency of the American education system, which is clearly unable to produce such highly skilled workers in a number sufficient to ensure future innovation and growth.

Veronique Lamarque

Mystic, Conn.