Cruz pushes mechanization as farm alternative to illegal labor

Agri-Pulse ^ | March 30, 2016 | Philip Brasher

[taterjay]

I think technology is at a point it would be accepted even with a cost. It is consistent, on time and does its intended job. Plus it works 24 hours per day. If you had the choice of today’s American workforce or the illegal workforce vs tech and automation, the choice is becoming easier. I think Fidelity is even introducing technology that will provide advice to investing that is computer driven. People aren’t needed.

[Cronos]

Putting prisoners to do this — AND paying them is a good idea. They will be able to pay for their stay in prison and they would have a purpose and they would be able to save for their lives outside prison.

[norwaypinesavage]

"Nice demonstration of Cruz not understanding economics."

I believe it's exactly the opposite. A century ago most people lived on farms, a third or more of the farm's output went to feeding horses, and the farm barely produced enough output to feed the farmer's family. It's been entirely due to mechanization on farms that US farms now feed all of America, and a lot of the world with just a couple of percent of the population working on them. This is nearly entirely due to mechanization. There's no reason that would change now.

[jmcenanly]

We can barely build a robot that can walk on two legs on uneven ground and stack boxes. We are a long way from the Lars homestead in Star Wars.