>> which very much benefits the American economy
I think the overall effect is going to be a little different than what you imagine. Unless you are imagining a future where people who think a programmer is an "anomalously high-cost peon who types some mumbo-jumbo into some other mumbo-jumbo" [1] suddenly realize they are wrong and develop a profound appreciation of their services.
This is going to play out not too different from what happens when the minimum wage is raised, except at a higher level.
Average person expects: everyone will get paid more. Actual effect: less employment overall in the economy.
Average person expects: companies will be forced to hire local. Actual effect: a more active search for SaaS which doesn't have insurance overheads and doesn't complain to your HR department, and certainly won't threaten to complain to the great Donald when its services are terminated.
Average person expects: much better treatment of programmers by non-programmers. Actual effect: Ah ha ha ha...
Average person expects: much fairer and more equitable distribution of wealth. Actual effect: Because of the reasons mentioned above, even greater distortions, resentment against the ones who have the best paying jobs, the creation of "inside vs outside" class systems, government intervention to "fix" this problem which will make things worse.
Be careful what you wish for...
[1] http://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28/dont-call-yourself-a-pro...
I think the overall effect is going to be a little different than what you imagine. Unless you are imagining a future where people who think a programmer is an "anomalously high-cost peon who types some mumbo-jumbo into some other mumbo-jumbo" [1] suddenly realize they are wrong and develop a profound appreciation of their services.
This is going to play out not too different from what happens when the minimum wage is raised, except at a higher level.
Average person expects: everyone will get paid more. Actual effect: less employment overall in the economy.
Average person expects: companies will be forced to hire local. Actual effect: a more active search for SaaS which doesn't have insurance overheads and doesn't complain to your HR department, and certainly won't threaten to complain to the great Donald when its services are terminated.
Average person expects: much better treatment of programmers by non-programmers. Actual effect: Ah ha ha ha...
Average person expects: much fairer and more equitable distribution of wealth. Actual effect: Because of the reasons mentioned above, even greater distortions, resentment against the ones who have the best paying jobs, the creation of "inside vs outside" class systems, government intervention to "fix" this problem which will make things worse.
Be careful what you wish for...
[1] http://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28/dont-call-yourself-a-pro...