The latest voice to argue that offshore outsourcing boosts economic prosperity in the U.S. comes from Mr. Apprentice himself, Donald Trump. In his blog on the Trump University Web site, Trump cites studies that show that using low-cost, foreign labor ultimately makes U.S. companies more profitable and competitive, creating a cycle whereby they ultimately are able to add more higher-paying, higher-value jobs domestically.Trump also notes that offshoring is the only alternative to closure or bankruptcy for many companies that are on the brink. "If a company's only means of survival is by farming jobs outside its walls, then sometimes it's a necessary step," notes Trump. "Losing jobs is never a good thing, but we have to look at the big picture," he says.

So, what's The Donald's opinion worth on this subject? A lot, I think. Trump may produce cheesy reality TV shows, he may be an inveterate playboy, and it's also true that some sort of small mammal, possibly a marmot, has made a permanent nest on his head. But it's equally true that Trump is a job-creating machine. His casinos, hotels, and other businesses employ thousands of workers, and he's probably created a few millionaires in his day -- and I don't mean his ex-wives.

So when Trump speaks of business and jobs, people should listen. I'd take his opinion on this subject over that of any consultant or academic who never put their own capital at risk to launch a company. So, when it comes to the topic of outsourcing, I can imagine what Trump would say to CNN's Lou Dobbs. Two words ...