Posted on 02/21/2007 5:53:58 PM PST by NellieMae
I am getting really sick of the Mexican Invasion costing so many jobs in the Southwest Virginia- East Tennessee area. My husband is a brickmason. He is the 5th generation mason in his family- our son is the 6th. Up until just a couple of years ago brickmasons had contractors ringing their phones off of the wall wanting them to do work for them. My husband had to turn down dozens of callers because he couldn't do it all. Things have sure changed . Now, a lot of contractors in this area have gotten dollar signs in their eyes and all that they can see are cheap Mexican workers. My husband has actually had a contractor (real builders that know how to actually build a house are really scarce around here anymore) pull Mexicans on the job that he was working on because he was in such a hurry to get it finished that he couldn't wait the 2 weeks that it would have taken to do the whole job. They will pull in a huge crew and wipe the job out real quick. They waste a lot of brick though (they get paid by the 1000 brick). My husband is a very good, fast mason. His speed and quality is not the issue here. Most of these workers cannot even speak English. It is really aggravating to have lived in a place your entire life and have your livlihood seriously threatened by people that are not supposed to be here in the first place. How do we get rid of this problem? Also, on another related note: It was announced today that there are hundreds of jobs being cut in ANOTHER local factory, Bristol Compressors. I was told several months ago that a construction site in Mexico was marked with a sign that read:" Future site of Bristol Compressors" Is this a coincidence or is there another company by the name of Bristol Compressors?
You want a solution ... but what's the problem you want to solve?
Seems like a pretty basic question, but it's surprising how few people are willing to confront it.
Perhaps that they have no money and can't support themselves?
I believe that I have stated my views on this subject adequately. Put youself in our situation. Maybe then you wouldn't be so callous.
Agreed. The real solution would have to deal with factors such as registration and tracking, and so on. For the solution to be effective at tracking, it can't be too difficult to use, because you want employers and workers to stay within the system.
The solution would also have to deal with the economic pressures that drive the current situation. The economics won't go away, just because somebody passes a law.
My personal opinion is that, properly defined and run, "registered guest worker" program would have the best chance at working. Unions would hate it, though.
Good one, Sir Ed. Yummmmm.........
"Keep backpedaling...maybe you can worm your way out of this thread with a shred of dignity"
Uh, no he can't : )
What confuses you?
What right does Congress have, or for that matter the Executive Branch, to override our immigration laws? You know very well that the proposed "reform" of immigration law specifically FAVORS illegal Latino immigrants. So, the differentiation as to nationality starts with the politicians.
Your move...
I'm not trying to be callous, and I really do sympathize with your situation. I'm trying to focus on the larger forces at play, by which you're being affected.
Yea, and wait till you have to make a trip to the emergency room. You'll stand in line there while illegals use it for a primary care giver.
Umm... and you've read "Atlas Shrugged" cover-to-cover _how many times_???
- John
I'll be back later. I've got to go help my husband find some more work.
"Do you think you have some divine right to those contract dollars? Sounds to me like your hubby is too damned expensive."
Ummm, and you are willing to pay to educate, give health care to, etc., these illegals? Key word ILLEGALS!!!! I bet Nellie Mae's husband doesn't appreciate having to do so no more than I do.
Might as well make dealing cocaine illegal, and pay them dividends to break the law.
The contrators hiring these should be in jail.
Despite your unfounded claims to the contrary, I've paid no attention to SomeoneNeedsToSayIt's take on whether the illegal labor market is good or bad. However, his economic observations are sound -- he correctly describes the factors driving illegal immigration. And honest reading of my posts would have made that clear to you.
You sided with the other posters position and now your back peddling.
Since I never "sided" with him, I am in no need of "backpeddling" on anything. What you perceive as backpeddling, is just your fantasies getting cross-wise with what I'm really saying.
I don't debate with people like you.
Actually, you don't "debate" at all -- you merely proclaim loudly, and (in your responses to me) rather dishonestly.
Really, anyone could take business away from your family if they're willing to do the work for less money. Norwegians, Slovaks, Scots, Japanese or Yankees could do exactly the same thing as the Mexicans, if they so chose. It has nothing at all to do with the other workers' race, but with their economic situation.
So, please don't perpetuate the already rampant image of conservatives as racist jerks. Nobody likes for their family to be put out of work, but it's important to be honest about how and why it happens.
It doesn't happen because the other guy is Mexican.
Do you still believe that non-European/non-Christian immigrants are good for our country and culture? That all immigrants are... well.... "equal"? I ask these questions in all seriousness.
You are seeing the results of "immigration reform" (i.e., the decision back in 1965 to open American immigration to non-Euros) with your own eyes.
We have brought this upon ourselves, as a result of our own self-destructive behavior and unwillingness to appreciate our Euro-culture and ethnic heritage as unique and special in the world. A cultural tragedy of the commons.
- John
What kind of heartless person would say what you posted?
Simple justice requires that people have a right to a just wage and the ability to MAKE A LIVING without competition from lawbreakers and people who can undercut them because their families are living in a place where things are cheaper.
Shame on you.
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