[ConsentofGoverned]

"No American white or black who until recently would have done the work will work in the fields for the available wage. The same is apparently true for other crops requiring extensive labor"

justify our open borders because of cheap labor?

Seems you do not believe our economic system capable of reacting to loss of "off the books, under the table-low paid workers"

This argument is very weak- our system can accommodate the loss of the illegal alien workers
This use of unskilled labor just hinders the advances Technology will bring to fill these needs- or the needs not filled were marginal and not really demanded by the consumer of that good or service- too many say they support our economic system -but exhibit fear when changes occur. OUR system can withstand this loss of cheap labor - BUT OUR GOV CANNOT WITHSTAND THIS INVASION.
Our GOV - any GOV cannot withstand an invasion unchecked and unopposed.

[clyde260]

Another angle (off the top of my head).

These illegals come here and work very very cheap. If we substitute some food & clothes for a couple bucks it could translate into a type of slavery. Is this a stretch? Mmmmm, maybe not, have you seen how these people live? They cram 6 families into a single apartment...

[bert]

.....Seems you do not believe our economic system capable of reacting to loss of "off the books, under the table-low paid workers"......

I deplore the fact we can't control our borders.

Having said that, the market says the reality of the situation is that the cheap labor used to fill slots requiring manual exertion is necessary. Our citizens have determained it is better to disdain manual labor and seek exercise in a gym. A tread mill is culturally superior to physical labor.

I differentiate between justification and indicating reality of the situation.The fact is, that is the reality of 2005 in the USA,that the foreign and illegal workers are necessary precisely because our economy cannot function with out them. Our citizens have demanded a lifestyle that prohibits them from taking menial jobs.

I sympathise with your outrage with the open borders but will not accept your incorrect arguments. The America you visualize no longer exists and has not for perhaps 10 or 15 years.