All of the anti illegal immigrant talk is just people having to feel like they are better in some way to another group of people. This has been going on for ever, and it is just sad that we haven't gotten past this.
People cry about the economic reasons they are bad, but they fail to look at the fact that if they are able to say get their landscape done for 1/2 the costs because of illegal labor, the person buying the service (Americans) are able to get it for a serious discount, and can inturn use their own money to buy something else, save, or whatever, it is their money to do so.
Then people complain about all their money going to mexico, but those workers are getting paid what 5-6 bucks an hour? What do they eat? Where do they live? What type of transportation do they have (money for gas, or bus if they cannot walk). All these things are being bought and paid for by these immigrants, and that money is recaptured before it leaves.
So figuring that there may be as many as 20 million illegal immigrants in the us, how do you think that it would affect the economies that they work in? All of a sudden poorer groceries will have even less customers, all the labor costs will have to be doubled, driving up the costs of buying the services in the first place, meaning that many of them will go out of business due to lessening of demand. Not to mention all of the businesses that would rely on selling the materials the businesses that hire those immigrants would stand to lose with all of them gone.
But hey at least then white people in the southwest can feel safe right?
Ps. it is funny to see a website dedicated to a illegal substance, having such a strong response to it being 'illegal' that they are here.
What about all of the money that isn't spent here and is sent back to mexico? If a grocery store goes out of business because there are no more illegal immigrants, then so be it. What about all of the business owners who try to play by the rules (even though they aren't enforced heavily) and hire all american citizens. They are going out of business now because they can't compete with the low labor cost and they're prices are higher than companies who hire illegal immigrants... Also, prices would be set accordingly... If everyone was legal, then they would recieve higher wages. If prices went up a little bit, it would only level the playing field for businesses giving them perfect competition. I'm not opposed to amnesty because it would make employers raise wages and illegals that are granted amnesty would compete in the same job market for the same wages and have to pay the same taxes to use the benefits they are already finding loopholes to use. If they are paying into the pot like the rest of us, then they deserve the same benefits imo...but if they are recieving the benefits without paying into them, then it causes a failure in the system. Just as a leak in a car's gas tank would cause your car to lose efficiency. Arizona's approach is not the best, but it will most likely drive illegals out through deportation or they will just go to another state which will once again make it a government issue and not state. It's time for the government to do something anyways. I'm a big fan of don't fix it if it's not broke, but the system is definately broken and the government has continued to look the other way as it get's worse and there are fewer options left. I support Arizona's decision mostly because it has lit a fire under the government's ass to finally do something.
EDIT: Also, i remember seeing this hypothetical a while back about legal vs. illegal labor in california. I don't necessarily agree with all of the costs (like 1000 a month for insurance) but the model still gets its point accross. It's called Joe Legal vs. Jose Illegal.
You have 2 families..."Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have 2
parents, 2 children and live in California. "Joe Legal" works in
construction, has a Social Security Number, and makes $25.00 per hour with
payroll taxes deducted...."Jose Illegal" also works in construction, has
"NO" Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Joe Legal...$25.00 per hour x 40 hours $1000.00 per week, $52,000 per
year.
Now take 30% away for state federal tax, Joe Legal now has $31,231.00
Jose Illegal...$15.00 per hour x 40 hours $600.00 per week, $31,200.00 per
year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes... Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00
Joe Legal pays Medical and Dental Insurance with limited coverage $1000.00
per month, $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $19,231.00
Jose Illegal has full Medical and Dental coverage through the state and
local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00
Joe Legal makes too much money is not eligible for Food Stamps or welfare.
Joe Legal pays for food $1,000.00 per month, $12,000.00 per year. Joe
Legal now has $7,231.00
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for Food Stamps and
Welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,000.00 per month. $12,000.00 per year. Joe Legal
is now in the hole minus (-) $4,769.00
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month Federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal
pays rent. $500.00 per month. $6,000.00 per year Jose Illegal still has
$31,200.00
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after
work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe
Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a
government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school
ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same Police and Fire Services,
but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
I enjoy reading your guy's posts and hearing your ideas, keep em comin!