Finally... Someone that makes sense! I too, am American, but I am currently living in Europe.
Have things really gotten that bad in the "old country"? When did everyone become so weak that they are willing to put up with this? (I don't mean that as a flame, either.) These are clearly business expenses... Stand up for yourselves!
As for "loyalty" and "respect". These are things that must be earned in both directions. The company does not sound like it is earning your respect and is certainly not respcting you.
Finally... Someone that makes sense! I too, am American, but I am currently living in Europe. Have things really gotten that bad in the "old country"? When did everyone become so weak that they are willing to put up with this? (I don't mean that as a flame, either.) These are clearly business expenses... Stand up for yourselves! As for "loyalty" and "respect". These are things that must be earned in both directions. The company does not sound like it is earning your respect and is certainly not respcting you.
Scary thought... nuclear plant monitoring systems running Windows. (And in my earlier days I thought steel mills running Windows was horrifying.)