James Fox

I recently read an article entitled, "Temp agencies ride popular business trend." The article ended with a bit of wishful thinking and conjecture by Tom Lieser of the UCLA business forecasting project,

"It's conceivable we could all become temporaries, but what kind of world would that be?"

Unfortunately, because of the cost of doing business, government regulations, workmans's comp insurance, pension programs, and foreign competition, the decision was forced upon business during the eighties.

The realistic goal for all business is to structure around an efficient, cost-effective, core group and use all temps. Agencies like Manpower Incorporated and Kelly Services will be the employers of the future. All skills and trades will be marketed by large Temp Agencies. Only on rare occasions will workers be absorbed into a business as part of the cadre. Business must do this to survive and compete. Otherwise, our balance of trade deficit will soon change our standard of living, as all business looks elsewhere for cheaper labor.

In similar fashion, our local governments are constantly on the verge of bankruptcy because of the cost of services. When areas of the country are hit with disasters, rebuilding and cleaning up costs the taxpayers billions.

While all over the country, we have United States Military personnel playing war games, doing make-work projects, and maintaining grounds and equipment, and we also have criminals languishing in prison watching TV, playing volley ball and costing the taxpayers billions..

I believe that some of their time could be allocated to public works. If they don't have a trade, teach them one that will benefit their return to civilian life. Let them get some on-the-job training, freeing vital civil employees to bolster the under-manned areas. In cases of disaster, the military has construction equipment and man-power -- why not use it? We've already paid for it once. Why should a civilian contractor profit from the community's misery?

In conclusion, contrary to Tom Lieser's hope that the trend toward Temp agencies start slowing in the near future, I look forward to the day when all businesses have re-engineered into cadre and temps, and The United States Government has established an Emergency Services Agency available to any community in legitimate need.