|
Karen,
From what I’ve
read, the economic studies are mixed whether illegals drive wages down for other
workers.
Arthur
If the
illegals didn't drive down wages or, at least, disallow wages to rise then all
of economic theory must be wrong. I can't see how illegals would have no
impact and I believe that their impact is to affect the lowest paid workers in
our society who can't get increased wages: Asking for more means the employer
would turn to the illegal
instead.
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Karen Watters Cole Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 5:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [Futurework] It's About Identity 2: America's Great Wall Correct, Arthur. This will divide the
‘business’ interests from the ‘authoritarian’ interests in both parties if it’s
not handled as an economics issue first and foremost.
If
the influx of migra-dollars are indeed competing with tourism as Mexico’s second
largest source of income, and low wage workers are so essential to the US
economy, then policy should be directed at those
issues. From what I’ve read, the economic studies are
mixed whether illegals drive wages down for other workers. Certainly, NAFTA and
CAFTA need to be amended; the economic issues that Bush intended to address
before 9/11 have been largely ignored since then.
But these sociocultural wars over showing
some muscle at the border and speaking English are phoney means to drive
partisans to the support of a sinking GOP party, as well as psychological
substitutes for other failures. It’s more of that “daddy party” mentality on
display, venting of frustration and anxiety.
For example, in a companion piece of
opportunism, the NRA (National Rifle Association) has targeted mayors to pledge
they will not confiscate homeowner’s guns in the event of a national/regional
crisis. They cite the chaos of Katrina’s aftermath in New Orleans.
This feeds on paranoid tendencies instead of
furthering rational debate. We do not need more legislation born of fear and
knee jerk reactionism, as we did post 9/11 with the Patriot Act, ‘freedom fries’
and chest-thumping tribalism. karen |
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