The Republican silence on illegal immigration

[Fandango 1,440]

The exploitation and abuse of humans has been a staple of this country since it began. It is not going to change and there are no politicians that have any desire or interest in ending what, to them, is not a problem. The "problem" could be fixed tomorrow, They KNOW how to do it. They also know how to pay lip service to their constituents whil ebenefitting from exploiting humans. The human smuggling will continue. The avoidance complying with employment laws will continue.

Congress will continue to pass laws requiring employers to pay for goodies for employees, and each time, more employers will decide the benefit of employing illegals exceeds the risk. The cost to employ someone legally keeps growing...Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Family and Medical Leave, OSHA, Workman's Comp rates, health insurance. The "load" increases and each time it does, that illegal worker looks better and better. The penalty for hiring illegals is far less than the cost of employing legal workers. That needs to change and until it does the problem will NOT go away. WHEN it does, the problem will go away all by itself.

It is the most topsy turvy issue there is. With people who support the cruel exploitation of humans, the inhumane smuggling of people like cattle, the intolerable work conditions...the same people supporting all that, call you a racistif you do not support this cruel and inhuman treatment.

+1

So called "native Americans" are simply immigrants that got here before the ones from Europe.

Do you support the exploitation of humans brought here illegally for profit?

I would say they come here, not 'brought' here for profit. It's not like anyone's chaining them to a ship and dragging them here. Otherwise, I think your stance on this is dead on.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

+1

I would say they come here, not 'brought' here for profit. It's not like anyone's chaining them to a ship and dragging them here. Otherwise, I think your stance on this is dead on.

Illegal workers consist of far more than men sneaking across the border to shingle roofs. They discover hundreds of women every year used as sex slaves, I do not imagine they "came here" for that. They discover hundreds of truckloads of men and women crammed in like cattle, most recently in Mexico on their way north. I do not imagine it is what they signed up for. And who is profitting from that? The sick "coyotes" that charge thousands of dollars for the privilege? The American employers that treat other humans worse than animals so they can avoid the costs of employing people in dignity?

Who is responsible for them being here? Is a drug dealer responsible for illegal drugs being here? Or it it the users? If their were no illegal drug users would we have illegal drug dealers?

The government, the politicians on BOTH sides, ALL sides, make absolutely NO effort to end the exploitation of humans for profit. It makes no difference if the victims want to be here or not. The United States has LAWS that provide for a minimum standard of working conditions. Minimum wage, safety regulations, laws against sexual harassment, discrimination based on race or nationality. LAWS which allow a person to take time off to attend to important personal and family business and not fear for losing their job. LAWS that provide for a basic retirement and to provide for their family if they die or are injured. LAWS that protect children from being exploited for profit. LAWS that protect workers from exposure to dangerous conditions. NONE of these apply to illegal workers. And too many people are "OK with that" Why?

When a US employer hires LEGAL workers and employs them in COMPLIANCE with the basic minimum requirements, they are considered to be exploiting people...Walmart comes to mind.

Yet when an American employer employs illegal workers for far less than the minimum required pay and workplace standards, not to mention the horrible living standards they must endure...we are told it is "racist" to oppose this.

Our politicians know the answer to manipulate people for every other desired action...taxes. Tax penalties and/or tax benefits will lead people around by the nose. Yet there is nothing when it comes to employment. Brain cramp? We are told an $8000 tax credit is "good for the economy" because it stimulates home construction. Great. How about an $8000 tax credit for every employee that has an "E-verify" number on file. Would that stimulate our economy? Would that create jobs? Does anyone imagine they forgot how that works for other things?

Seems like we can force employers to confiscate earnings and deposit it into accounts for payroll tax withholding...but we cannot require them to have an E-verify number for each employee? We cannot allow them to KEEP a portion of payroll deductions if they prove ALL their employees are legal? We cannot apply a HUGE tax penalty for having workers that are not verified to be legal? Would it save the goverment money if all the illegal workers walked out by themselves because there are no jobs for them? Would it make it easier to enforce or borders and protect us from really bad people if we could eliminate the illegal roofers and lettuce pickers?

The economic risk of exploiting illegal workers MUST be far greater than the economic benefit of exploiting them. When it is, the practice will stop. When it stops the illegal workers will no longer be here. Until then, it will not change.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Illegal workers consist of far more than men sneaking across the border to shingle roofs. They discover hundreds of women every year used as sex slaves, I do not imagine they "came here" for that. They discover hundreds of truckloads of men and women crammed in like cattle, most recently in Mexico on their way north. I do not imagine it is what they signed up for. And who is profitting from that? The sick "coyotes" that charge thousands of dollars for the privilege? The American employers that treat other humans worse than animals so they can avoid the costs of employing people in dignity?

Who is responsible for them being here? Is a drug dealer responsible for illegal drugs being here? Or it it the users? If their were no illegal drug users would we have illegal drug dealers?

The government, the politicians on BOTH sides, ALL sides, make absolutely NO effort to end the exploitation of humans for profit. It makes no difference if the victims want to be here or not. The United States has LAWS that provide for a minimum standard of working conditions. Minimum wage, safety regulations, laws against sexual harassment, discrimination based on race or nationality. LAWS which allow a person to take time off to attend to important personal and family business and not fear for losing their job. LAWS that provide for a basic retirement and to provide for their family if they die or are injured. LAWS that protect children from being exploited for profit. LAWS that protect workers from exposure to dangerous conditions. NONE of these apply to illegal workers. And too many people are "OK with that" Why?

When a US employer hires LEGAL workers and employs them in COMPLIANCE with the basic minimum requirements, they are considered to be exploiting people...Walmart comes to mind.

Yet when an American employer employs illegal workers for far less than the minimum required pay and workplace standards, not to mention the horrible living standards they must endure...we are told it is "racist" to oppose this.

Our politicians know the answer to manipulate people for every other desired action...taxes. Tax penalties and/or tax benefits will lead people around by the nose. Yet there is nothing when it comes to employment. Brain cramp? We are told an $8000 tax credit is "good for the economy" because it stimulates home construction. Great. How about an $8000 tax credit for every employee that has an "E-verify" number on file. Would that stimulate our economy? Would that create jobs? Does anyone imagine they forgot how that works for other things?

Seems like we can force employers to confiscate earnings and deposit it into accounts for payroll tax withholding...but we cannot require them to have an E-verify number for each employee? We cannot allow them to KEEP a portion of payroll deductions if they prove ALL their employees are legal? We cannot apply a HUGE tax penalty for having workers that are not verified to be legal? Would it save the goverment money if all the illegal workers walked out by themselves because there are no jobs for them? Would it make it easier to enforce or borders and protect us from really bad people if we could eliminate the illegal roofers and lettuce pickers?

The economic risk of exploiting illegal workers MUST be far greater than the economic benefit of exploiting them. When it is, the practice will stop. When it stops the illegal workers will no longer be here. Until then, it will not change.

Yup.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Overarching issue? Please. The only Americans who have to worry about illegals taking their jobs are menial losers.

That said, the issue of Mexican drug cartels is very real and does warrant serious debate.

Learn something about the country you live in. Do you even have a clue as to how much money illegals cost this nation every year ? And menial jobs ?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

So called "native Americans" are simply immigrants that got here before the ones from Europe.

Do you support the exploitation of humans brought here illegally for profit?

5000 to 10000 + years ago.

I don't support human trafficking but that is a bit of a reach in referring to most illegals in the USA. Nor do I support exploitation of illegals when here, but few were 'brought' since they came here of their own volition.

[Fandango 1,440]

Illegal workers consist of far more than men sneaking across the border to shingle roofs. They discover hundreds of women every year used as sex slaves, I do not imagine they "came here" for that. They discover hundreds of truckloads of men and women crammed in like cattle, most recently in Mexico on their way north. I do not imagine it is what they signed up for. And who is profitting from that? The sick "coyotes" that charge thousands of dollars for the privilege? The American employers that treat other humans worse than animals so they can avoid the costs of employing people in dignity?

Who is responsible for them being here? Is a drug dealer responsible for illegal drugs being here? Or it it the users? If their were no illegal drug users would we have illegal drug dealers?

The government, the politicians on BOTH sides, ALL sides, make absolutely NO effort to end the exploitation of humans for profit. It makes no difference if the victims want to be here or not. The United States has LAWS that provide for a minimum standard of working conditions. Minimum wage, safety regulations, laws against sexual harassment, discrimination based on race or nationality. LAWS which allow a person to take time off to attend to important personal and family business and not fear for losing their job. LAWS that provide for a basic retirement and to provide for their family if they die or are injured. LAWS that protect children from being exploited for profit. LAWS that protect workers from exposure to dangerous conditions. NONE of these apply to illegal workers. And too many people are "OK with that" Why?

When a US employer hires LEGAL workers and employs them in COMPLIANCE with the basic minimum requirements, they are considered to be exploiting people...Walmart comes to mind.

Yet when an American employer employs illegal workers for far less than the minimum required pay and workplace standards, not to mention the horrible living standards they must endure...we are told it is "racist" to oppose this.

Our politicians know the answer to manipulate people for every other desired action...taxes. Tax penalties and/or tax benefits will lead people around by the nose. Yet there is nothing when it comes to employment. Brain cramp? We are told an $8000 tax credit is "good for the economy" because it stimulates home construction. Great. How about an $8000 tax credit for every employee that has an "E-verify" number on file. Would that stimulate our economy? Would that create jobs? Does anyone imagine they forgot how that works for other things?

Seems like we can force employers to confiscate earnings and deposit it into accounts for payroll tax withholding...but we cannot require them to have an E-verify number for each employee? We cannot allow them to KEEP a portion of payroll deductions if they prove ALL their employees are legal? We cannot apply a HUGE tax penalty for having workers that are not verified to be legal? Would it save the goverment money if all the illegal workers walked out by themselves because there are no jobs for them? Would it make it easier to enforce or borders and protect us from really bad people if we could eliminate the illegal roofers and lettuce pickers?

The economic risk of exploiting illegal workers MUST be far greater than the economic benefit of exploiting them. When it is, the practice will stop. When it stops the illegal workers will no longer be here. Until then, it will not change.

I don't think e-verify extends to imported hookers

Of course, that's illegal, immoral, and wrong...but that's not really the type of 'undocumented worker' this article refers to. Sex slave trade bosses don't worry about payroll taxes

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I don't think e-verify extends to imported hookers

Of course, that's illegal, immoral, and wrong...but that's not really the type of 'undocumented worker' this article refers to. Sex slave trade bosses don't worry about payroll taxes

True. But reducing the number of people coming into this country illegally will make it easier to enforce and protect our borders from real criminals.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Overarching issue? Please. The only Americans who have to worry about illegals taking their jobs are menial losers.

That said, the issue of Mexican drug cartels is very real and does warrant serious debate.

Construction workers for example? Your comment is ignorant and assumes that only certain jobs are worth having by Americans. It is also racist to assume that illegal workers should do the jobs of "losers". The fact is that American employers are pocketing profits by avoiding laws designed to protect Americans from being exploited or forced to work in unsafe conditions. Why is it OK to make other humans do this? The jobs they take SHOULD be good jobs for Americans paying at least minimum wage (s0metimes considerably more, such as for trades people).

But this is the usual "we NEED the brown skinned underclass to do our dirty work cheaply" racism. It is why the problem will not go away.

Drug cartels are a real problem. It would be easir to protect our borders from them if we did not need to run down lettuce pickers and roofers.

If you are opposed to minimum wages, child labor laws, OSHA, etc., just say so. If you believe we should have minimum wage, worker protections, etc., then why not for ALL people?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

5000 to 10000 + years ago.

I don't support human trafficking but that is a bit of a reach in referring to most illegals in the USA. Nor do I support exploitation of illegals when here, but few were 'brought' since they came here of their own volition.

How long ago does one have to have immigrated in order to be considered "native"? Please be specific. In anthropological terms, "native Americans" are neither native, nor Americans. Clearly you use some other form of measure.

Do you think employers should be severely punished for not complying with minimum wage and other work related laws? Or do you think we should not have such laws?

5000 to 10000 + years ago.

I don't support human trafficking but that is a bit of a reach in referring to most illegals in the USA. Nor do I support exploitation of illegals when here, but few were 'brought' since they came here of their own volition.

Do you really believe they are not "brought" here for profit? If there were no jobs for them, would they come? Would they be "brought" by coyotes?

Edited May 29, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Gary illegal immigrants and illegals working are A problem, not THE problem. You seem to have a penchant for presenting your argument on the subject of illegal immigrants that brooks no middle ground and lumps all illegals into a single category, exploited slaves to the harsh profiteers of big business. And that illegals are uniformly brown. Thus any suggestion of a middle ground and you instantly cry 'racist who supports slavery.'

I would also define people who move to an UNOCUPIED area, live there and establish SOCIETIES there, for five to ten thousand years or longer as NATIVES in every sense of the word.

Edited May 29, 2011 by ready4ONE