 | VirileVagabond (32)
10/08/2006 |  Depending on which sector of the economy one is discussing (as noted in a prior comment), I don't think that there is any reasonable dispute whether immigration (illegal or perhaps otherwise) increases domestic unemployment and depresses low-skilled wages. The only open question (in my opinion) is whether this depression is a bad thing. I personally believe that the cost of low-skilled labor is artificially inflated, and the current demand for illegal labor at lower wages is a direct result. One may be able to legislate higher wages, but such legislation can't make labor worth more than it actually is. In other words, we cannot wish away economic realities. As for unemployment, without low cost labor there would be an increased demand for automation meaning a net loss of jobs (but some decrease in unemployed legal labor). The bottom line is that while this statement is true and has some merit (resulting in five stars relative to other items on this list), the big picture requires a much deeper analysis.
(2 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | numbah16tdhaha (147)
05/04/2006 | That's why satellite retailers are now paying hack subcontarctors with no certification 45 bucks as a base rate for installs, right? That, for those who don't know the industry, is half of what my highly professional ass is paid.
(5 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | EschewObfuscation (61)
05/03/2006 |  As true as this statement is, it doesn't excuse the convenient "bending" of the rule of law so many decry in other instances. America has been assimilating immigrants into its culture, work force and legal systems for centuries and we're really pretty good at it . . . as long as the immigrants are compelled to follow the rules.
My objection to "legalizing" the existing bumber crop of illegals has nothing to do with economic causes/effects. It has to do with the millions of immigrants who have come here legally, filled out the forms, learned the language, foresworn their old flag, sworn allegience to the american flag and gone to work.
This is not about them, the 10, 11, 12, 15 or 20 million (depending on the shrillness of the advocacy group) illegal aliens currently residing within our borders. It's about a total failure and the incompetence of the Homeland Security Department of the US. The last I checked, they were all still getting paid to do their job, part of which is to secure our border and make it difficult to enter the US to seek work without proper documentation and processing. I haven't noticed receiving a break on my taxes because we decided that they were no longer required to do that.
(7 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | DrEntropy (38)
05/03/2006 | The effect of immigration on employment is still debated by economists; no real consensus exists. On wages, the effect of mass immigration is to raise returns to capital (land values, profits) while lowering returns to labor (wages). People whose wages depend on their command of the English language and/or post-graduate credentials (journalists, academics, lawyers) also benefit, as only a massive wave of English-speaking immigrants would threaten their jobs. This explains why there is a larger gap between elite and popular opinion on immigration than any other issue: the wealthy and intellectuals get most of the benefits from immigration, while its economic costs are borne by everyone else.
(5 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
