Jobs in the global economy: get 'em while you're hot

TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH: "Dell Moving Irish Operations to Poland: Cost-Cutting Measure to Result in 1,900 Job Losses as Computer Maker Tries to Catch Up to H-P," by Quentin Fottrell and Justin Scheck, Wall Street Journal, 9 January 2009.

The Irish had their moment, but you can't remain the hot new thing forever. Somebody else will come along and simply be willing to work for less, and companies will be forced to take them up on their offers.

The key for any country during their salad days is to diversify enough to weather the inevitable competition down the road.

But note: Old Europe being underbid by New Europe.