Unemployed in the U.S. (Immigration During Rising Unemployment)

National Review ^ | July 17, 2003 | James R. Edwards Jr.

[riri]

see my 20

[lelio]

Here in Phoenix we have a Subway in every strip mall.

The thing going for Subway is that its frequently staffed by one or two people. I've never seen one with more than four in it. Contrast that with Taco Bell or McDonalds where it seems like a dozen people are always there plus two managers.
Subway's able to do this as they offer really only one product: food on bread. The food items don't have to be cooked for the most part and can be slapped together easily. In McDonald's there's the stovetop, deep frier, milkshake maker, etc. One guy can't do all that.
But what gets me about the franchising business is the amount of capital you have to have before getting into it. Its upwards of $250k! Why would anyone with that type of cash want to buy something that they're going to have to stand in for 16 hours a day until they can find some trustworthy employees that won't rip them off is beyond me.

[searchandrecovery]

That might be a safe field, but there's talk about bringing in H1b's to handle our nursing "shortage" (there's no shortage, its just a shortage of supply at low wages).

My dad was in the hospital last year (virtua, mt. holly, nj), and I had to make a lot of trips there. One visit I saw a line of about 15 black girls being led down the hall. I asked about it, and was told they were from Somalia (I assume h1b's). All business has to do is say "shortage" and the floodgates open.

[lelio]

and was told they were from Somalia (I assume h1b's)

Cuz, you know, there's no need for nurses in Somalia as there's no diseases, no one killing themselves, etc.
A 60 Minutes report on this was how some American companies are poaching the best black South Africian nurses by offering them salaries of twice what they can make in SA. Now we have two groups of angry people: American nurses being pushed out or not getting raises due to the imports, and the poor people in South Africian hospitals that have to deal with sub standard nurses as all the good ones left.

[riri]

I just don't understand how one on every corner can survive. I mean, if I really wanted a sub, I would drive the extra block or two to get one. I don't need one within spittng distance wherever I am.

But yeah, you plunk down the $250,000 for the franchise, plus whatever leasehold i mprovements you need to make, pay your $1500+ a month rent for your spot in the strip mall,pay your 2% or whatever of your net to the franchise, buy your marketing materials, pay your suppliers and payroll--how much can be left? Especially when their is one on every corner?!

My dad used to say..it's not about making a profit, it's about cashflow. It's a scary thought, but he might have been on to something.

[searchandrecovery]

I wasn't giving you a hard time,...

No offence taken.

I am just not sure who's going to be around to afford these kind of purely indulgent services...

Aesthetician! New to me. If you have a service that targets the rich (well, and actually works) that will probably work. Geez, set up a spa. Make them feel (look?) gorgeous.

But yea, I'm kinda concerned, too. It seems like the rules have changed and no one's acknowledging it.

[Happy2BMe]

So sorry to inform you that the Mexican vote will win the White House.

That's the (immigrated in the past then years) Mexican vote, mind you.

Immigration is BIG, BIG politics.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

Single young women have the disposable income and the motivation for these services.
Also, during the 1930's the cosmetic industry (along with the entertainment industry) did very brisk business.

[vikingcelt]

"This whole immigration thing drives me nuts." Me too. I am absolutely convinced that it drives the majority of American citizens nuts but then who cares about American citizens? This is all being done against the will of the majority of the people. We no longer have a government that answers to us, that helps us, that attempts to protect us. Right now I am printing out the speech that Rep. Tom Tancredo gave yesterday regarding illegal immigration. Why is it that he seems to be the only one in government who seems to care? I think I'll emigrate to New Zealand or Australia or...or...someplace that has a better grip on the rights of their citizens.

[searchandrecovery]

I just don't understand how one on every corner can survive.

Counter-example. I live and visit Philly kinda regularly. I've always thought that a hot-dog stand would be a pretty good biz, during the workday week. And yet there's one on every (every!) corner. Get 200-300 transactions a day and you've made $200/day - $50k/year.

Sit outside a subway (or whatever) one day - count the number of transactions they do. Can they survive? You be the judge.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

"When U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican, said recently that illegal aliens should be deported, not given in-state tuition, Karl Rove, the Power Behind the Bush, told Mr. Tancredo never again to darken the steps of the White House."
http://www.usbc.org/profiles/profiles2003/0103departingfirstworld.htm
"Is the US departing the First World?" by Paul Craig Roberts

[searchandrecovery]

Cuz, you know, there's no need for nurses in Somalia as there's no diseases, no one killing themselves, etc.

To me, it's just sad, too.

[College Repub]

The Subway on the premises of Hershey Park has well over 10 people at a time working. Subway franchises don't cost too much if I recall. The franchise fees aren't that high, at any rate. Under $50,000 if I recall.

[College Repub]

There are areas with starbucks on both sides of the street at the same corner that experience double digit growth rates!

[meadsjn]

If I remember correctly, the last presidential election had about 105,365,834 total votes. Allowing 5% for third-party votes, there are about 50 million votes available for each of the major wings of the ruling socialist party.

Of the 18 million American citizens currently unemployed and under-employed, I'd guess well over half of these voted Republican in 2002. Those who voted Democrat in 2000 are even more likely to vote Democrat if their personal economic situation is bad. Those who voted Republican are more likely to switch or sit out the election entirely.

The Republicans need the money from big business to run their campaigns, but they need the votes from half the total population to win the election. If they lose only half of those 18 million voters in the next election, we'll see Hillary (or one of her minions) back in the White House.

China and India are pumping lots of money and pressure into both parties to keep the work visa and offshoring floodgates open. Only the Democrats will benefit politically from this economic destruction. Congress and the Administration could have stopped the economic bleeding and shut the borders two years ago had they wanted to.

Obviously, the Republicans would rather lose elections than represent the people who voted for them. They aren't called "The Stupid Party" for nothing.

[Tancredo Fan]

I wouldn't expect pandering Pinnochio to change his 'evildoer' ways anytime soon.

[The UnVeiled Lady]

They also say that we need to let the illegals in because no Americans would do these jobs, but why should they if the gov. pays people to sit on the couch?

However, if we cut all the welfare off and it was a choice of eating or picking the vegies.... maybe these Americans would work.

[raybbr]

ping

[janetgreen]

Excellent article by Roberts. It's so true, and so sad for America.

[Happy2BMe]

"Obviously, the Republicans would rather lose elections than represent the people who voted for them. They aren't called "The Stupid Party" for nothing."

I see Dubya making SO MANY of the very same blunders his dad made that gave Bill Clinton the White House.

Hey Dubya! > The Ostrich Effect > It Don't - IT DON'T WORK!

This roller coaster is going somewhere - STRAIGHT DOWN!