Hank - I did my 8 years at MSFT and I agree with your general farmed out Visa sentiment. However, in my particular case it's not likely. My degree is extremely rare (chosen on purpose for that reason alone - the one early life choice I made that actually worked out). It's ranked #1 in the world (the "Harvard Law" for this particular degree) AND I'm right smack dab in that middle age between lots of retiring Boomers and a bunch kids who can't tie their own shoes. Kush times ahead.

Plus I'm in Leadership now, so I've moved on from day to day grunt work. For fun and to keep mentally fresh, I still do some of my own work on occasion. Now I command my legions into the battle of over-thought destruction. But I digress...

My point being - Common Core exists exactly for the purposes outlined by Flea. It's meant to dumb down Americans so the rest of the Global community can rise up. Its plain as day to see. Throw in immigration; advancements in 3D, A.I. and robotic interface and the common working American is screwed within the next 20 years. I plan to get out before that happens, but I can't guarantee the future. Kids today need to think really hard about affordable skill sets that are not readily farmed out to Juan or Mr. Roboto, because that day is coming with a quickness.