I thought illegal immigration was a problem in 1986 when President Reagan instituted amnesty.
It made the blood vessels pop out on my neck.
Since then, I have come to accept the regional history, the role of flow of people from Mexico, etc.
I would prefer it to be different, but it is not going to change by much, and is probably not the most pressing topic.
I consider the overall economic trends to be problematic. High taxes and regulations together with high costs, pushing companies into moving away.
And over paid, over benefited government workers, too.
None of those topics are driven by illegals. And I think that a lot of people we may assume are illegal, are not illegal.
I know an extremely successful large painting contractor. Very conservative. Dislikes illegal immigration. BUT when he needs competent, reliable workers, he has no choice but to hire people he suspects are illegal.
He says the anglos get drugged or drunk with their first check, don’t show up for work at all, etc.
Fixed it.
Not because the "anglos" wouldn't work...but because the illegals..would work for less.
Concrete workers, roofers, carpenter's, plumber's, ditch diggers, you name it....I watched it.
And guy's like your friend....helped cause it. Because he wanted cheaper labor. Period.
Yes, you make a good point about taxes and reg's....
Just another reason I left in '98....
The state has gone to hell in a handbasket.........I saw it coming in the 80's.....