[WRhine]

The response by the NAFTA supporters was those that were dislocated could be retrained. To what- computer programmers? Maybe, but the problem with that idea is they exploded the H1-B program and now American tech workers have to compete with cheaper labor from India and China. And when those Mexican rustbuckets start barreling down the highways, how many trucking jobs will be lost to cheap labor?

It's interesting how the so-called free trade crowd in government are exposing more and more of our industries and occupations to 3rd world labor. Just what in the hell are we as a nation getting out of these deals aside from lost jobs and greater welfare roles? And yes, it’s going to be an unmitigated disaster on all fronts when those Mexican rustbuckets hit our roads, not to mention being yet another national security nightmare.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

It's interesting how the so-called free trade crowd in government are exposing more and more of our industries and occupations to 3rd world labor.

The main economic reason behind it is it helps keeps inflation down. What economists like Alan Greenspan who support open borders fail to mention are the hidden costs taxpayers are stuck paying, like schooling and medical, not to mention jammed prisons from the soaring crime rates. This along with increased competition for scarce jobs.

At some point a decision will have to be made, higher inflation rates or a return to more traditional immigration policies, including shutting the border down from illegals. I think if you took a poll within the country it's pretty obvious which one would be chosen.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Btw, I just want to say it's many in government who believe mass immigration keeps inflation down. During the eighties, we had a vibrant economy with low inflation along with lower immigration rates, so I really don't know how much benefit mass immigration is to the inflation rate. With quite a few businesses, cheap labor just means higher profits for the CEOs, which amounts to corporate welfare.