Mexico's Fox Defends Comments on Radio

SFGate.com ^ | May 22, 2005 | MORGAN LEE, Associated Press Writer

[madfly]

President Vicente Fox on Sunday defended his commitment to minorities and human rights on a U.S. radio program, in his first public response to his controversial comment that Mexicans take the U.S. jobs that "not even" blacks want.

U.S. civil rights activist Jesse Jackson pressed the Mexican president for an apology for the remark that has strained already tense relations between U.S. blacks and Hispanics, during an interview on a Chicago gospel station.

"I very much regret the misinterpretation," said Fox, touting laws created under his administration that outlaw discrimination and protect minorities.

Fox met with Jackson behind closed doors on Wednesday in Mexico City after the president's comments about blacks ignited a firestorm of criticism from the black community and angered the U.S. government.

[dalereed]

"Contractors in California hire illegals for 10 dollars an hour under the table, so they no longer have to pay 15 or 20 to an American."

That's pure unadulterated bull shit! Illegals in California working construction get a minimum of 20/hr cash. The unskilled standing on the street corner won't work for less than 10/hr plus transportation and lunch.

[mthom]

"Try to justify the invasion of our southern border by denigrating the American work ethic"

That seems to be the new tactic.

[TigersEye]

The fact is illegals have pushed alot of Americans out of the trades. Contractors in California hire illegals for 10 dollars an hour under the table, so they no longer have to pay 15 or 20 to an American. The contractor makes a lot more money, and the American homebuilders(tradesman) have been scrapped.

Let's keep in mind that $10 ph under the table is $10. $15 - $20 ph on the books is $30 -$40 or more out of the employers bank.

[djf]

Yeah, he regrets it.

He regrets that any black folk heard it.

[austinite]

That seems to be the new tactic.

It is getting real old that -- "Jobs americans won't do" thing. If I hear that one more time........

[djf]

Your statements are true.

But no one can argue that the bottom 5% of blacks in America are way, way, way better off than 99% of Africans.

So I often think that little fact gets left out of the dialogue.

[hispanichoosier]

Since your idea of what FR is supposed to be involves ignoring my arguments regarding empirical data and persistent name-calling (inculding vulgarities directed at my mother), I won't be responding to you from now on. If you want to see a good example of a discussion where 2 people disagree on an idea yet discuss their differences amicably, you can go to: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1406367/posts?page=24#24

[austinite]

Sissy

[hispanichoosier]

Absolutely. The standard of living for blacks in America is remarkably high compared to blacks in other parts of the developed world and head and shoulders above blacks in the Third World.

[TigersEye]

However, the fact that the contractors are willing to do such a thing ...

It's not just a matter of willingness. If you happen to be a masonry contractor and you employ four workers for $9,600 per week on the books (that's $20 per hour for 60 hours plus $20 ph for FICA, Workmen's Comp etc.) you'll have a hard time competeing with a contractor who hires four illegals under the table for $4,800 per week and no book work to do. In fact you'll never turn in a winning bid.

[hispanichoosier]

It's not just a matter of willingness.

You're right. It's a matter of avarice, one of the 7 deadly sins. When that happens, though, part of the answer is to punish the contractor mercilessly and create fear among the remaining ones. I don't believe this has been done effectively here in Indiana and--I suspect--in other states.

[USMC Veteran]

You're being baited. Calm down.

[TigersEye]

I agree. Stiff prison sentences for employers of illegals.
But it's not being pursued anywhere at all AFAIK.

[mthom]

That and deporting all illegals that commit crimes.

[texastoo]

I live on this border 95% hispanic. I don't think I have ever seen a hispanic on a bicycle going to work.

I have seen the use of lone star (food stamp) cards here more than any other places. The rate is 8 in 10 people use food stamps here.

[austinite]

Let me fix your last:

That and deporting all illegals that commit crimes.

[hispanichoosier]

I have seen the use of lone star (food stamp) cards here more than any other places. The rate is 8 in 10 people use food stamps here.

Here in the Midwest the experience is very different. Most of the hispanics here work their butts off.

[hispanichoosier]

That and deporting all illegals that commit crimes.

That is true. I work as a deputy prosecutor, and we can't get HS to deport illegals unless they commit some sort of felony. Even a DUI won't get you automatically deported!

[mthom]

Do you contact HS every time you come across an illegal?