True. I used to work for a large company with a big pointless HR department. While setting up the exit interview they asked me casually why I was resigning. I matter-of-factly stated that I despised my boss because he was totally incompetent. In fact, he was...a "buddy" of the CEO who needed a job after a messy divorce. My exit interview was cancelled. They do not like to hear such things. I was not worried about burning bridges...I took two weeks vacation the day I resigned so that I would not turn anything over. I was the Unix admin. F**k them. Every job since then I networked into. Yeah, I am lucky.

I have seen this for the better part of 25 years. The guy was somebody's friend on the board and he had to "enhance" his resume so the rest of the board would vote him in. Is it fraud? Yes. Is is "accepted practice?" Yes. Just don't ask for a birth certificate!

I had a PE stamp for 18 years. When CEU's were instituted I estimated that I would have to spend $1,500 to $2,000 annually in bogus courses or seminars. For what? Most of my employers refused to put it on my business cards let alone pay for "training" so this last September I let it expire. Basically, it was worthless. My view has been that "credentials" do more to pigeon-hole you into a specific role rather than help you get promoted. Forget the test-taking nonsense and develop you interpersonal skills. Nothing will take you farther than that. Consider the people at the top of your company. How many have master's degrees? How many have professional certification? Take a close look. Work on your soft skills. That is what I did and I have moved out of programming, system administration and project management into real management (with more money). I have let all my "credentials" (PMP, CQE, PE) expire and it has had no down side for me. Your results may vary...

If you want to make good money go become a plumber's apprentice. Then open-up your own company, hire some skilled plumbers to work for you and live in a mansion. I know people who leave their Ph.D off their resumes just to get hired. Other comments are correct in that you will be hired based on your specialty or real-world experience.

You are exactly right. American industry has responded by importing engineers from other countries to keep the pay down. My brother finished a Chem. Engineering program (Masters) before getting accepted to Med. School. He will be the first one to tell you that Med. School was a cake walk compared to Engineering School. Two of my closest friends from college (all U of CA graduates in engineering) went back to school and became lawyers. They work less hours, they are more respected and they earn more money. America values lawyers over engineers...plain and simple.

No, I will ruin your company for $4 million! If my wife will let me perhaps I will even sweeten the deal with a sex scandal. That will prepare me to run for public office.

Well, it sounds like they have managed to perfect the algorithms necessary to lie, cheat and steal. Soon robots will be our political overlords too. Is this bad science fiction actually coming true?

Once Amtrak and the unions get involved this will simply become a huge money pit until the plug is pulled. Culturally, trains are not embraced by many Americans except for commuting and even that can be a huge hassle. We prefer planes because they are faster and now we get sexually assaulted on the way. Woo hoo! Of course we prefer our cars for shorter commutes. Oh and incidentally....we are broke. Bankrupt. Kaput. Done for...... Perhaps government should let private industry determine if there is a sufficient demand and act on that demand....if it exists. Better yet, let's stop the subsidies (bail outs) to Amtrak and see how that all plays out.

My last two computers were from the Tiger Direct (new) parts bin. I have never had so much performance for so little money! If you need to run Windows buy an OEM license. For all this bloat you PAY and for the alleged technical support, which is some marginally trained (but cheap!) person overseas reading a book you also PAY.

Perhaps they should consider outsourcing to the United States. Just sayin'..............

There is no conflict between true finished science and religion. Zealots on both sides are too narrow minded to see truth when it smacks them in the face anyway. I am a fundamentalist and to date I have never seen "finished" science conflict with the Bible. Go to the bottom of the Red Sea and look at the line of Egyptian fragments of chariots and armor. Just what were they doing marching across the bottom of the Red Sea, anyway? And what caused them to fall in their path suddenly? The tumbling of the walls of Jericho; simple harmonics and resonance. The European Renaissance is a good example of science, religion and art working together.....to bring them out of the dark ages. The conflict lies on both sides...and is man-made.

You are both right. Now let me go dust off that old grammar book from college...

The US Government would be more than happy to let the Chinese come in and sue us back into the dark ages. Try suing in China. They are at least smart enough to tell the foreigners to drop dead.

The current US and European managers could care less. They are reaping profits for themselves in the here and now. When the stinky stuff hits the fan they will have their money and will cut and run. Just ask Carly Fiorina how well that worked out for her. Too bad she was so mean and nasty not even cancer could kill her.

The insanity will never level out. Buy what works for you and be happy about it. My car is over six years old, paid for and reliable. I am happy about that. I did just get a new HTC Aria paid for by my company. I am really happy about that! For my "own nickle" I would not get such an advanced phone. Texting and talking is really all I need. E-mail supports the company during off-hours and the rest is just a perk.