[fr_freak]

Then, we discussed the issues.....bottomline he says is he cannot get any Americans with the work ethic to do the work (landscape, irrigation install). I know he is probably right, as my son, who is a subcontractor in construction (mostly siding) has had the same problem, and said the same thing.

Maybe we have a chicken and the egg situation here. If you, as an American, found yourself in dire need of a job and considered applying for one in either agribusiness, landscaping, or construction, what would be some of the first deterrents that would occur to you? I would think that the first consideration would be that you'd know that the wage would be incredibly low (and, in some cases, below legal minimum) and that, therefore, your labor would be better inveted elsewhere.

So, the question is: does a shortage of Americans willing to do the work lead to illegals and depressed wages, or do the influx of illegals and the resulting depressed wages lead to a shortage of willing Americans?

[goodnesswins]

"your first consideration would be that you'd know that the wage would be incredibly low (and, in some cases, below legal minimum) and that, therefore, your labor would be better inveted elsewhere."

Try again. They are not paying BELOW legal minimums or Incredibly low.....

[goodnesswins]

AND, FURTHERMORE, part of the problem are the Fed and State CHILD LABOR rules which means kids don't pick crops anymore.....like I DID, for something like 75 cents a flat (of strawberries) and $2.00 a bushel of Beans.....from about age 10-16