Slickpuppy, your point may be true in some fields - I don't believe it is true in mine (medical research). I came to the US in 1994 on an H1-B visa and was immediately paid very well (that's much of what attracted me in the first place). I have subsequently recruited 4-5 foreign scientists, all of whom were paid the same as any eligible US citizen. As an employer I would rather not go this route, but it is surprisingly difficult to find good "home-grown" PhDs interested in a career in medical research.
You are right in that it is not easy to convert the H1-B to Permanent Residency - and it's getting harder. I got mine in 1996 on the "National Interest Waiver" scheme, but this "fast-track" is slowing down rapidly.
I agree with Skorzeny - those are good criteria for citizenship.
TFL content: I wasn't into shooting when I lived in the UK - it would have been difficult anyway. I love this country
