Help Defeat Illegal Alien Farm Worker Amnesty Legislation

Federation For American Immigration Reform ^ | 9/30/03 | F.A.I.R.

[PRND21]

Action alerts are usually Breaking News.

That explains it's quick removal. It's clearly talking points.

[Be active]

How much of the cost of a head of lettuce goes to pay field workers? According to the University of California, is costs around 22 cents to grow and harvest a head of lettuce. Of that, about 15 cents goes for farm labor. If we doubled the wages of farm workers, the cost of a head of lettuce would increase by fifteen cents -- even less if labor saving machines are justified. For labor costs to force lettuce to $5 per head, farmers would have to pay field workers $280 an hour. At that rate, it would be the kind of work "every American would want to do."

The problem with illegal immigration is not that labor costs too much; it is that growers compete in a commodity market. If one grower can outdo another by using illegal labor, then his profits will increase. Inevitably, all growers must do the same thing to survive. As recent studies show, illegal immigration is driving down the wages of millions of Americans, while at the same time increasing their taxes. To stop this downward spiral we must control the borders and police the work site as well.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Yep, as soon as the price of a pound of your favourite veggies doubles!

It already has! They cost the taxpayers $20,000,000,000 per year in public assistance. If that cost were added onto your cheap strawberries, you'd be having a canary.

[Pro-Bush]

Bump!

[NewRomeTacitus]

"The problem with illegal immigration is not that labor costs too much; it is that growers compete in a commodity market. If one grower can outdo another by using illegal labor, then his profits will increase. Inevitably, all growers must do the same thing to survive. As recent studies show, illegal immigration is driving down the wages of millions of Americans, while at the same time increasing their taxes. To stop this downward spiral we must control the borders and police the work site as well."

Your analysis bore repeating for the hard of listening. Not only is this phenomenon played out in agriculture, construction and factory production, it spreads corruption among employers who wouldn't otherwise risk breaking the law. Once that line is crossed it's an easy slide down to overworking and short-paying their illegal hires.

[4Freedom]

Do the math before you make any further ridiculous statements like that.

Labor is such a small factor in the price of agricultural goods that labor costs would have to skyrocket to $260 per hour in order for lettuce to cost $5.00 per head.

If farmers start paying $260 per hour, Bush, Cheney and Rove will be running down to get in line for a job picking lettuce, themselves.

I'd gladly pay $5.00 for a head of lettuce to see that day.

[VU4G10]

yeah yeah .. whatever

[texastoo]

One of my favorite veggies is fresh tomatoes in the summer. The price this summer was $.99 to $1.99 a pound. This is a high price for tomatoes in the summer. Where are the low cost vegetables?????

Have you seen any reduction in grocery prices from the illegals? If so, name the items.

[Susannah]

"Have you seen any reduction in grocery prices from the illegals?"

That dockworkers strike brought prices down temporarily in California. But listen to Gray Davis: the growers can't get anyone else to put in the time in the fields to pick strawberries! - for the right wages, pickers would be lined up at the fields.

From recent news reports, the California Grocery Clerks Union is threatening a strike. 70,000 employees may picket the Vons, Ralphs, Albertsons chains of stores. Gee, no wonder there are so many checkout lines closed in the stores. $19 to $20 an hour plus benefits -for a grocery clerk isn't bad.

[Susannah]

"28% of the prison population are illegal aliens who have committed crimes against American Citizens."

AH-HAH! - solution = put the prisoners on a "chain gang" to pick fruit and vegetables.