[P.O.E.]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record:

There should be more talk about MARGIN.

The cost of marginal effort continues to mount - regulations, taxes, lawsuits, and all other kinds of uncertainty.

This limits growth on the hiring side of the equation.

On the working-man’s side of the equation, the marginal benefits of working are shrinking - look at how many millions of people collect all kinds of goodies from the government. Obviously we want to help the old, infirm, etc. But we pay (via entitlements) way too many people to do nothing.

[algernonpj]

... look at how many millions of people collect all kinds of goodies from the government. Obviously we want to help the old, infirm, etc. But we pay (via entitlements) way too many people to do nothing.

Not only that, but we import/do not deport people to whom we pay entitlements. Freebies for anchor babies, illegal aliens, brand new immigrants. and their extended families have cost billions upon billions for many years.

Per Fair, using the completely outdated number of 13 million illegals, they cost US tax payers a net total of $100 Billion per year; using the still conservative number of 30 million illegals, the net cost is $ 231 Billion per year. That $31 Billion is split into $ 66.99 Billion at the Federal level, and $ 195.5 Billion at the state and local level. AND these figures do not include the costs of brand new immigrants on the dole or 'guest workers' who often pay no or partial taxes while having access to our safety net!