Why not everybody? (Thomas Sowell)

Washington Times ^ | 4.23.06 | Thomas Sowell

[NormsRevenge]

One way of trying to justify illegal immigration from an economic standpoint is to point out that the work done by these immigrants adds to the total output of the United States.

--snip--

More important, by what principle would you decide where to draw the line -- and why does that same principle not apply to today's immigrants, legal or illegal?

--snip--

The emergency rooms of many California hospitals have become major medical treatment centers for illegal immigrants. The financial drain of serving people who cannot or do not pay has shut down some of these hospitals, making them unavailable to citizens as well as illegal aliens.

Schools must contend not only with the additional financial costs of educating the children of illegal immigrants but also the educational problems of trying to deal with children who require extra attention because of their limited knowledge of English. The children of American citizens have less time and resources available to them as a result.

The welfare state has made immigrants of all sorts, wherever their origin and whether legal or illegal, a major burden beyond what the immigrants of a century ago posed. Few enthusiasts for more immigration seem to want to talk about these high hidden costs of "cheap labor."

To the hotels, farmers, and affluent families who hire illegal immigrants, the labor may be cheap but to the taxpayers it can be very expensive. Moreover, the people who live in affluent suburbs and have "undocumented workers" mow their lawns, care for their children or clean their swimming pools are unlikely to have them as neighbors. Nor are the immigrants' children likely to attend local upscale schools.

[NormsRevenge]

hate to snip the heck out of this piece, worth a read.. Thanks to Mr. Sowell for sharing this take on things.

[SevenMinusOne]

Mr. Sowell - Definitely one of our nations clearest thinkers -

[MaineVoter2002]

Anyone ever visit alt.california.illegals ?

[umgud]

I've been adding to the US economy for decades. Why can't I get free healthcare?

[ClaireSolt]

I agree, bottom line is who decides? Us or them? For the record, I am for us.

[South40]

There is no legitimate reason why the US cannot and should not grant amnesty to the hordes of ILLEGALS from the south as proposed by Bush, McCain and Kennedy.

Sowell is a racist. /sarcasm

[jazusamo]

Dr. sowell is a great American Conservative and writer.

[DoughtyOne]

What a xenophobe! /s

No matter how clearly this issue is boiled down to the bare bones, it just doesn't seem to matter.

There's always an excuse.

[SauronOfMordor]

To the hotels, farmers, and affluent families who hire illegal immigrants, the labor may be cheap but to the taxpayers it can be very expensive. Moreover, the people who live in affluent suburbs and have "undocumented workers" mow their lawns, care for their children or clean their swimming pools are unlikely to have them as neighbors. Nor are the immigrants' children likely to attend local upscale schools.

Essentially, the people hiring the illegals get the benefit of cheap labor, while shifting the costs onto the taxpayers in general

[Mount Athos]

You can say that again. Thomas Sowell is a national treasure.

[CAluvdubya]

I've been adding to the US economy for decades. Why can't I get free healthcare?

Not only that but if you had to go to the hospital via ambulance you would get a bill from the ambulance service!

Come to think of it, if you live in CA, you do get the bill (for the illegals, that is)!

[Alberta's Child]

The welfare state has made immigrants of all sorts, wherever their origin and whether legal or illegal, a major burden beyond what the immigrants of a century ago posed.

Very good point, Dr. Sowell -- but let's take this one step further . . . The welfare state has also made Americans of all sorts, regardless of whether they were born here or they immigrated here from somewhere else, a major burden on taxpayers beyond what the Americans of a century ago posed.

[gaijin]

Anything he publishes I buy, anything he writes I read.

[brytlea]

Yup, we subsidize their yard workers, nannies, etc.
susie

[nicmarlo]

Schools must contend not only with the additional financial costs of educating the children of illegal immigrants but also the educational problems of trying to deal with children who require extra attention because of their limited knowledge of English. The children of American citizens have less time and resources available to them as a result.

The welfare state has made immigrants of all sorts, wherever their origin and whether legal or illegal, a major burden beyond what the immigrants of a century ago posed. Few enthusiasts for more immigration seem to want to talk about these high hidden costs of "cheap labor."

BumPing.

[janetgreen]

Few enthusiasts for more immigration seem to want to talk about these high hidden costs of "cheap labor."

I'll talk about it - the locusts cost California 10 BILLION dollars every year. BUILD THE FENCE BEFORE THE NEXT BUNCH ARRIVES!!

[nicmarlo]

Hear! hear!

[Lancey Howard]

I want that girl in the t-shirt.
Other than that, I managed to read this latest masterpiece by Thomas Sowell and it is, as usual, right on the money. No pun. BIG BUMP!

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Essentially, the people hiring the illegals get the benefit of cheap labor, while shifting the costs onto the taxpayers in general

Excellent summation!