Globe's Solution for 'Undocumented Workers': Pay Them More

Boston Globe/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

August 28, 2006 - 06:36

You knew where this Boston Globe editorial was headed from the headline, 'Scapegoating Immigrants,' and if there was any doubt, when a few short paras in the editorial referred to 'undocumented workers' rather than illegal immigrants, you could have stopped right there. For that matter, you might have saved yourself the time when you picked up the paper, or opened to the web site, and noticed that it read 'The Boston Globe' at the top.

But for my sins, I persevered, and was treated to a classic bit of blame-Americanism. First, those sanctimonious souls of the Globe's editorial board accused their fellow Americans of racism:

"Mix anti-immigrant sentiment and overinflated rhetoric about terrorists, and false images emerge of white America being overrun by brown-skinned criminals."

The Globe was willing to acknowledge that "contractors and carpenters do make a legitimate argument that they are undercut by competitors who can make low bids because they underpay undocumented workers." So what's the solution? Punish employers who hire illegals? Nope. The Globe, observing that the town of Sandwich is considering a local ordinance to do just that, calls it "a factual and tactical mistake."

So just what is the Globe's solution? To pay the illegals more, of course: "The solution is not to demonize the workers but to aggressively enforce wage and hours laws." Great way to discourage illegal immigration - raise the pay of people who manage to sneak into the country.

Amusing aside: Having covered two of its bases - 1. accuse Americans of racism - check; and 2. stand up for illegals - check, the Globe somehow managed to throw in a gratuitous bit of a third theme popular among liberals: class warfare. Grumbled the Globe: "Another problem: The rich are getting richer faster."

That's right, folks. There's only so much money in the world. When the Bill Gates - on a grand scale - or Joe the small businessman - on a more modest one - do well for themselves, they aren't providing any useful goods or services for anyone else or creating any jobs. All they're doing is taking money out of other people's pockets. At that's "a problem."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Boston Globe/NewsBusters pay-illegals-more ping to Today show list.

[Graybeard58]

Typical liberal convoluted logic.

[beyond the sea]

'Scapegoating Immigrants'

(Scapegoating) "Immigrants" and "undocumented workers" are two different things.

Aren't they so sly?

;-)

[Disturbin]

Ahh, the Globe. I don't know why you read that rag but thank you for saving us the time. The latest excuse given by the papers is that they are losing money because "advertising is down." Yes, eaxctly, that's it.

It's funny how we hear the keywords like "undocumented" and you know right away that the article is rubbish.

How many writers at the Globe actually KNOW an illegal?

FFS, here in Massachusetts, Teddy is trying to get the state minimum wage raised to TEN dollars an hour!

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

"The solution is not to demonize the workers but to aggressively enforce wage and hours laws."

Great idea! While you're at it, let's make sure that OSHA covers burglars for injuries that occur "on the job."

[babydoll22]

In North Carolina, documented Mexican workers are paid $8.40 per hour. No taxes are taken from their checks. They are provided free housing. Their plane or bus tickets are paid for by the farmer's who hire them. A car must be provided to them on weekends.

I know many teenagers who would work the fields if they were treated like this.

If you are an american citizen, you can be paid the minimum wage, you will have federal,state and social security taxes taken out. You will have to pay for your own housing and you will not be given a car on weekends.

[AmericanChef]

If we have the time and resources to "aggressively enforce wage and hours laws" we have time to crack down on illegals and throw them out of our country.

[carumba]

So just what is the Globe's solution? To pay the illegals more, of course: "The solution is not to demonize the workers but to aggressively enforce wage and hours laws." Great way to discourage illegal immigration - raise the pay of people who manage to sneak into the country.

It is some kind of liberal slight of hand to not notice that undocumented workers are working at a level below the minimum wage laws that are passed and trumpeted. Squeeze students and teens out of jobs that they would take at a lower wage but the employer can't do that. The penalty for violating minimum wage laws is invoked. The penalty for violating minimum wage and hiring illegals is winked at. The legal sanctions against violating minimum wage, child labor, slavery, etc. should be administered equally and justly. Struggling students should not be pushed out of jobs that they need by illegals who wire the money home. Construction, gardening, maid services, fast food, should be open to all not just illegals willing to work for under the table deals.

[Doogle]

enforce wage and hours laws

yeah enforce some laws, but not immigration laws, typical liberal drool

Doogle