When women entered the workforce, there was a concern that some men would not be able to find jobs. It was felt that the jobs women would take the jobs away from the family man. It didn't happen. The economy grew and there were plenty of jobs to go around.
Outsourcing takes jobs away from the American worker. There was a fear that by sending jobs overseas, unemployment would increase in the United States. It hasn't. The current unemployment rate is at a very low 4.4%. The economy is moving along and inflation has been held in check.
Illegal immigrants are taking low paying jobs. There is a fear they are taking work away from the American worker. The story gets repetitious. The unions have a concern about the bill that President Bush is recommending to deal with illegal immigration. The unions have a responsibility to their members and should be asking the hard questions. However, the low unemployment rate should have us all asking "How would the jobs have been filled had it not been for outsourcing and illegal immigrants."
Soon the debate will begin in earnest as to how the illegal immigration issue should be handled. Senator-Elect Claire McCaskill has indicated she will not support legalizing illegal immigrants. Republicans are opposed to President Bush's plan. There should be no party position on this issue. Instead, there should be a sharing of ideas and a decision should be made as to what is best for America. Let the open debate begin.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I think its a bit redicules when my grandson has to peddle pizzas, while the immigrants get the factory part time jobs. He is working his way through college.America for the Americans is my motto.
Shelby Burgess at 6:41AM on Nov 26th 2006
2. Illegal....what is the definition of Illegal??if we as a nation wink at "illegal "when it comes to immigration...whether good or bad for the country..then why would i want to try to follow the law in my life if i thought it was good for the country...Illegal means Illegal ..against the law..for what ever reason....do we say..well, he needed killing to a perperator of a murder if its good for the county??come on leaders ..due your duty...or lets all get Illegal...lol..
JERRY PATTERSON at 7:27AM on Nov 26th 2006
3. The jobs would have been filled by giving higher wages to Americans.
I saw on the news after a raid on a Tyson meat plant,that Tyson suddenly raised the pay by $1.00 per hour for their employees.
Illegal immigrants are being used as slave laborers.
Tim Stites at 9:22AM on Nov 26th 2006
4. I have never been considered a bigot. I have always had friends of all colors and religions, and have always been proud to call my friends my friends. That said, something needs to be done about the illegal immigration situation. In the past 6 years, the Bush admin has done NOTHING to stop the flood of illegals coming across the border into America, allowing the problem to get waaaay out of control. What ticks me off is that millions of illegals in this country are sucking OUR government programs dry at both the state and federal levels (not all of them, I know that, but a lot of them are). Illegal immigrants are allowed to collect food stamps, monthly cash, medical assistance, and can be enrolled in numerous other government programs as well, and that is just plain wrong and it needs to stop - NOW. There are even places where they can register with the GOVERNMENT to pay taxes out of their paychecks - I commend them for being willing to pay taxes, but how is this possible if they are not citizens? Why are they allowed to do this without being arrested and deported? I also don't think that just because a baby is born in this country that it should automatically be considered a legal U.S. citizen. How many pregnant Mexicans (as an example) are coming across the border just so their child can be born a U.S. citizen, which allows the *mother* to live off of the U.S. government collecting monthly cash, food stamps, and medical assistance (and it's not limited to only these programs I mentioned). I think that at least one of the parents (if not both) of said baby should have to be a LEGAL U.S. citizens for that child to be considered a legal citizen, and if you apply for government assistance, you MUST be in America legally to get it. If an illegal applies for a government program, they should be arrested on the spot and deported - pronto. As long as we allow illegals to take advantage of our country and the programs that are offered to it's *citizens*, they will. It's time we stopped the handouts, crack down on illegal immigration, and take back our country!
Kathy Edwards at 10:19AM on Nov 26th 2006
5. 1. Prior to women entering the work force, A man could work in most any capacity and support his family, later when women became established in the work force, it took two working to accomplish the same project.Single individuals found it difficult to survive in many jobs.
2. Your assumption that the labor department reports the actual amount of unemployment is false. They only report those who have just recently become unemployed. Those with long time unemployment are not recorded. They are dropped from the unemployment rolls as soon as they have collected all the benefits available. Usually just unemployment compensation. When they hit the welfare rolls, they are no longer listed as unemployed. and the reports are actually fictisious. Out sourcing of work has been mostly of the common labor type and many of those are now on welfare or unemployed and in the rolls of the million of more homeless in our country. Along with the millions that are unemployable because of mental or phyisical problems.
3. Our Government is now controlled strictly by the capitalist elements, no longer do the other elements that make up our system apply. That is the reason for the increase in medical and health care and the increase in indigents through out our Nation. Wake up people and try to learn the facts of our condition. Sure it looks great. but what you don't see is what is scary and indicates a drastic change in our concept of democracy as applied by our founders.
Glen C. Parks at 12:50PM on Nov 26th 2006
6. Notice the price of eggs has gone up ?thats because Tyson foods had to pay more to its workers,after they were investigated by the govmt for hiring slave labor
Shelby Burgess at 3:29PM on Nov 26th 2006
7. Hello??? is any one out there??? The unemployment rates are figured on those who have not run out of unemployment benefits, it does not show who has not found work but has run out of money. I work for the local city court system, and you would be surprised at how many folks who get in trouble are just unemployed and have given up hope.
Michael O'Donnell at 5:04PM on Nov 26th 2006
8. I think that all immigrants should be legalized so they don't have to go through illegal processes....besides they do all the work that no one else does!!!
Anderson at 11:04PM on Dec 3rd 2006
9. NO, That is a lie!
It only helps those who (illegally) hire them!
Ty at 6:37PM on Jan 17th 2007
10. Since when is a year round Factory job in Indiana a "seasonal" job????
There are lines of US Citizens trying to get a job there... but N. Trailer Co. hires illegals to save themselves $. They don't care about how it hurts the tax paying US Citizens, they only care about their profits.
They only take jobs US Citizens won't do???... That is a lie!
Afer the Meat packing plant raid in GA... Many US Citizens left Walmart to work there for more $!
Walmart is now hiring there.
Will at 6:44PM on Jan 17th 2007
11. Yes,
But Pelosi will never say that..
Ask who works in her Vineyard???
Joe at 11:40AM on Jan 18th 2007
12. I am totaly put out, when I call a Gov't office and the recording ask; English or Spanish. If you can't speak English what business do you have with the US Gov't office, like the unemployment office or the IRS. My ancestors came from France, Italy and Spain. They all had to learn English to survive. Illegal workers are getting the same benefits that we Americans are getting, except it is easier for them.In essence, No illegal aliens, no matter what country they originated do not help the US.
Bobby Boring at 2:56PM on Jan 20th 2007
13. Not only do they help the economy, but they keep the system working. How else could an election like this happen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOtTcP4YTTs
Abducted at 12:19AM on Feb 6th 2007
14. HELLO- THEASE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINALS!! DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD KNOWING THAT YOUR WAL-MART WORKERS ARE CRIMINALS???!!! ALL BUSH HAS DONE IS SIT ON HIS LAZY BUTT IN HIS RANCH IN TEXAS! ALSO, THIS IS A *DEMOCRACY*. IF THE LEGAL CITIZANS WANT SOMETHING DONE WHY ISN'T IT HAPPINING??!! LETS WIN *OUR* (LEGAL CITIZANS) COUNTRY BACK!!
Mia at 10:05PM on Feb 9th 2007
15. Just because someone was born in another country does not give them any less rights than people born in a wealthier country. Even the poorest in the U.S. fare better than many all over the world. We have no right to protect our borders when we, ourselves, were simply born into a well-to-do country. Some say that their ancestors went the right way to gain legal citizenship. Well, they didn't have to wait 15 years like people do now just to enter the country. How would you feel if your children were starving to death and you couldn't put food on the table. There are no soup kitchens or food pantries or food stamps in Latin America like there are in the United States. Would you honestly watch your children whither away until they are nothing but skin and bones? Or would you instead go to a country where people are actually obese there is such a surplus of food? Think about it. And after you've thought about it, actually visit the dump in Tijuana where children live and have to pick through the trash every day to survive, or visit an orphanage in Tecate, Mexico where the children were dropped off by their parents because they couldn't afford to feed or educate them. And then decide, should these children have to suffer because we, as Americans, are too selfish to share our wealth?
Erin at 12:00AM on Feb 20th 2007