Illegal workers: Boon for U.S. Economy

CNN/Money ^ | May 1, 2006 | Chris Isidore

[mlc9852]

So you judge my intelligence by how I feel about immigrants? That seems fair. I have a job that I like and don't feel the least bit threatened by immigrants. I have immigrant neighbors and don't feel the least bit threatened by them. Maybe you are just a little paranoid.

[stompk]

"But illegal immigrants are not the cause of the problem.

The problem is that we have a system which allows one person to take benefits from the other. You can live for free just because someone else pays your medical bills. This system is called socialism, and this is what is bad!"

you bring up a great point. separate argument, but accurate.
if we fixed that problem, most or all of the others would indeed go away.

however we still require immigration control, and we need to ensure that those who would come here would follow our laws and assimilate. those who would not, must go.

even if they could not get welfare, schooling, medical and state support, they still require policing, fire department, road use and the 100's of other things that we pay for with taxes.

[coladirienzi]

" the more people we have in the country working, the better it is going to be for all of us."

So, you think that if we were to quickly import 500 million Chinese, 500 million Indians, and 500 million Africans it would be a "good deal" for the average, middle-class American ?

[jordan8]

Some quotes from various sources on the economic impact of immigration:

In 1997, the National Research Council published what is generally viewed as the seminal study on the influence of immigration on the overall economy. It is often cited by both sides in the immigration debate. The Council found that immigration has a net positive benefit to the United States economy of about $10-billion a year. But the report was quick to point out that relative to the $10-trillion U.S. economy, that benefit is relatively small. Ultimately the immigration debate will be decided on more than simple economic terms.

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First, the net benefits to the U.S. economy from immigration, aside from the large gains to the immigrants themselves, are small. Realistic estimates suggest that immigration since 1980 has raised the total income of native-born Americans by no more than a fraction of 1 percent.

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Most economists agree: Whether it helps or hurts, immigration's effect on the U.S. economy is small. There simply aren't enough immigrants to make a dent.

[taxed2death]

"What you are advocating is special privileges for American workers. This is not how the free market works!"

___________________________________________________________

You've just officially jumped the shark there amigo.....LOL


That ax swings both ways.


Because what YOU are advocating is special privileges for non US citizens!

You have no concept of a LEGAL free market.

[papertyger]

Surely you mean we SCUMBAGS who hire illegals benefit....correct? Is that the "we" you were referring to?

Methinks you've got the right of it.

The rationalization going on this thread is absolutely torturous. There is little more repugnant than scum trying to justify its existence.

[OkieDoke]

Well, what about it, BB12? What do you say to the `situational ethics' quandary I posed to you: that if the law is just too onerous or confusing or unfair--why, you say, just break it.

I wonder if that defense would work for me with the IRS or a traffic cop. `Gee officer, I know the light was red but there wasn't anyone coming in either direction . . . '

You `enlightened' folks `name-calling' the law-abiding--I just saw another one from another apologist for illegal aliens: "paranoid", well, it's just pure mentira, gringa.

[William Terrell]

What has that link to do with my post? If you have a credible response to what I had to say, explain it yourself.

[taxed2death]

"The rationalization going on this thread is absolutely torturous. There is little more repugnant than scum trying to justify its existence."

I know, I've blown BB out of the water numerous times and it's actually like shootin' fish in a barrel.

[CharlesWayneCT]

This is why we need to expand the guest worker program. Companies that do the RIGHT thing shouldn't have to compete against companies that are cheating and hiring illegals -- who have lower costs, and might be even MORE motivated because they are afraid of being caught.

Those "lazy americans" who won't do these jobs are going to have to work somewhere, or be unemployed the rest of their lives.

But they can't get these low-paying, entry-level jobs because the more skilled mexicans come here and take the jobs for less money.

Hey, the south's economy did really well when we had slavery. Exploitation of illegals is almost the same, except that they volunteer for duty.

[tertiary01]

You sound like one of those old time Commie slogan slingers.

And what about the integrity of the country that provides the framework in which your business operates.? You just let it go to hell while you get all those nice little illegal workers that allow you to skirt the laws of the country that provides the infrastructure you covet. You will eventually pay the piper and you KNOW it

[papertyger]

IN A FREE MARKET, EVERYBODY IS FREE TO TAKE A JOB OR REFUSE A JOB. What you are advocating is special privileges for American workers. This is not how the free market works!

What you are advocating is special privileges for employers who do not abide by the labor market.

Why should employers be insulated from paying what legal American workers have determined to be an appropriate wage and working condition for a give job just because that employer doesn't agree with said determination?

[taxed2death]

" Companies that do the RIGHT thing shouldn't have to compete against companies that are cheating and hiring illegals -...."


Thank GOD someone finally gets it.

[Dane]

Why should employers be insulated from paying what legal American workers have determined to be an appropriate wage and working condition for a give job just because that employer doesn't agree with said determination?

No problem, with your arguement oil companies shouldn't be allowed to drill in ANWR either, see where your arbitrary standards get you, instaed of letting the market work it's magic.

[papertyger]

I know, I've blown BB out of the water numerous times and it's actually like shootin' fish in a barrel.

Yes, you have, but BB keeps coming back.

That's pretty sound evidence BB is not bothering with discussion: he's campaigning. Might not be a bad idea to ping a Mod.

[Dane]

Hey, the south's economy did really well when we had slavery. Exploitation of illegals is almost the same, except that they volunteer for duty

And the south's economy is also doing much better today than the midwest's or the northeast's because of current right to work laws.

I guess you want those abolished also.

[jordan8]

There is no evidence that ANY immigrant groups are to any degree inclined to support libertarianism, quite the contrary in fact - they understand the value of collective action. Given the size of immigration and the political realities of today, every plane, bus, and shipload of immigrants that arrives in America pushes back the possibility that libertarian economic theories will be adopted. If you believe that such theories make the most economic sense how do you justify supporting things that guarantee they will not be put into place? Aren't you just trading alleged economic benefits today for economic disaster tomorrow, and if so, why?

That comment on displacing low-skilled American workers is a good example of the nasty social Darwinism prevalent among many libertarians and conservatives today, the same people who have the hypocrisy and nerve to whine about leftist class warfare. How is it justice? Would it still be justice if you were displaced?

[taxed2death]

"...instaed of letting the market work it's magic."

Another legit business owner-hater, illegal apologist and selective law enforcement cheer leader. You're awe fully late to the party Dane, what took ya?

[OkieDoke]

With the difference between the two things being--and a significant one at that--that Congress decides where and whether to drill for oil, while USC Title 8 (`black-letter law') makes the presence of unauthorized Mexican nationals in our country illegal.
We need oil while we have plenty of lawbreakers, thank you very much. And thanks for helping to clear that up/

[Dane]

Another legit business owner-hater, illegal apologist and selective law enforcement cheer leader. You're awe fully late to the party Dane, what took ya?

I actually am on the side of business, but no on the side of the taxed2death economic central committee politburo of micromanagement of business.