[mmercier]

it is not just those with low skills that are getting killed off economically.

i have spent a decade becoming a trained proficient carpenter who will shortly be forced from the business because i can be replaced by three illegals for half the rate. and they mostly work for cash by the day, no benefits and no comp and no ss or state tax's paid by their employers, thereby underbidding the shit out of my lawful company owned by the sons of italian immigrants.

i chose this business 15 years back, the biggest mistake i ever made.

[durasell]

The way to survive this -- the way it's done in NYC -- is to go high end. Very high end. This will require a good deal of study and effort on your part, but it can be done.

The guys that bang nails can always been replaced. The guys with specific skill sets can't ever be replaced.

[taxed2death]

it is not just those with low skills that are getting killed off economically.

"I have spent a decade becoming a trained proficient carpenter who will shortly be forced from the business because i can be replaced by three illegals for half the rate. and they mostly work for cash by the day, no benefits and no comp and no ss or state tax's paid by their employers, thereby underbidding the shit out of my lawful company owned by the sons of italian immigrants.
i chose this business 15 years back, the biggest mistake I ever made."

Same with auto body repair, Heating HVAC, machine tool apprentice...etc. just "more jobs that Americans aren't willing to do".
Basically every American kid graduating from a State Technical / trade school is gettin screwed too. GWB has a serious case of cranial / rectal inversion syndrome with this particular topic.