Posted on 08/13/2005 4:22:50 PM PDT by 4.1O dana super trac pak
"If you like imported oil, you will love imported food" is the bumper sticker of choice around here. But not all agriculture is dependant on cheap peasant labor. Corn and wheat aren't. My understanding is that the grape industry in OZ isn't and it doesn't have to be here either, but peasants are cheaper than machines if you are passing the true cost of the peasants to middle class taxpayers. Our food isn't cheap when you realize that the true costs are hidden in our tax bills (like so many other things). My point is, no one, not farmers, not corporations and not the gov't or politicians are being honest about the issues, they are just trying to find ways to maintain the status quo because change is painful.
My employer is a recipient of considerable corporate welfare. Last week we were told that the company, with the help of the township, was applying for a federal "employee training grant." We were given questionnaires that had only one item on them. Based upon family size, we were asked to certify that our familiy incomes were below a certain level. My interpretation of this is that the federal government was rewarding the employer for keeping our wages low ($9.50/hr).
This company was given millions of dollars in tax breaks by the township and the state of Michigan to build this facility at its present location. Interestingly, most of the employees at this location live in the next county and take their wages to that county to spend. Local residents are subsidizing the community in the next county. Those employees that commute to this facility are Arabs, some of whom do not even read, write, or speak English.
"and very cheap -- farm workers to American employers, most of them large agribusiness concerns."
I would say this is the reason to bring labor from foreign countries here.
The bracero program worked well while it was in place...all of the braceros returned to Mexico when their work assignments were completed.
A great many Mexicans fled the bracero program for the far-better paying industrial jobs. Those that did this had little incentive to return to Mexico. Of course, back then almost all of them wanting to stay here also strove to earn citizenship while learning our language and customs.
Flood? What flood? The press was just sayub blub blub blub..........(blub)
You're still the master of the arcane workings of government and the go-to guy about the motivations of those who manipulate it. Watch out! I don't think the CDC can help you if you get any of that muck into an open wound.
If employers want the labor so bad, they can set up and pay for housing, schools, medical, food, etc. Real work camps. You want illegals? You pay for them, 100%.
The illegals are just doing what they need to for their families. If it wasn't us, it'd be someone else.
The business sector pays for election campaigns, and their interests are represented only. To believe otherwise is to live in a fantasy land.
Oh, I love your handle. Don't understand it, but love it.
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