Cowards!

[piezoe]

Piezoe, some of what you have to offer is sound advice. Some other, not so much. Yes, labor law should be strictly enforced. Raising the minimum wage will do little other than to eliminate some jobs. Honestly, I would say probably not very many, but it sure as hell won't create any jobs, which is what we need, job creation. Yes, we need to eliminate the incentive for illegals to come here, but the job market is secondary to the really big incentive. Anchor babies. They come here, spit out a kid and everything changes. The kid is an American citizen with all the rights and privileges of a citizen. The parent(s) benefit from this. First and foremost the likelihood of deportation goes from not very likely to zero. The whole we can't split up a family argument comes into play. Secondly they benefit financially from all the social services that automatically come into play. You show me one, just one politician with the stones to address this issue. We must take on the bastardization of the 14th amendment before any real progress can be made. Everything else is window dressing.

Just wanted to let you know I am in general agreement with your post. I would add that if labor law enforcement combined with a minimum wage hike were implemented I believe that the incentive for illegals to cross the border and seek work here would be greatly reduced, and as a consequence the number of anchor babies born here should be noticeably reduced.

I have expressed the opinion many times that our U.S. Constitution is obsolescent. What now, in 2014, seems an absurd provision in the 14th amendment is an example of the Constitution's growing obsolescence. In my opinion, if we merely amended the amendment without coupling it to a reduced incentive to cross the border illegally, we wouldn't make much of a dent in the problem.

When an illegal comes to this country, and over time puts down roots, makes friends, works hard, and stays out of trouble, our natural compunction, as with any people, is to avoid being insensitive and mean. We like to think of ourselves as compassionate. (Whether we really are is another question.) Therefore, IMO, regardless of whether the 14th Amendment is revised, we must combine strict enforcement of the labor laws with a reasonable increase in the Federal minimum wage (one that makes sense in terms of the true cost of minimum wage labor). Then citizens will have an incentive to take the jobs now taken by illegals, and wages will compete effectively with welfare; illegals will find it difficult to compete for jobs and their incentive to enter the country illegally will be greatly reduced.

 

[Ricter]

Just wanted to let you know I am in general agreement with your post. I would add that if labor law enforcement combined with a minimum wage hike were implemented I believe that the incentive for illegals to cross the border and seek work here would be greatly reduced, and as a consequence the number of anchor babies born here should be noticeably reduced.

I have expressed the opinion many times that our U.S. Constitution is obsolescent. What now, in 2014, seems an absurd provision in the 14th amendment is an example of the Constitution's growing obsolescence. In my opinion, if we merely amended the amendment without coupling it to a reduced incentive to cross the border illegally, we wouldn't make much of a dent in the problem.

When an illegal comes to this country, and over time puts down roots, makes friends, works hard, and stays out of trouble, our natural compunction, as with any people, is to avoid being insensitive and mean. We like to think of ourselves as compassionate. (Whether we really are is another question.) Therefore, IMO, regardless of whether the 14th Amendment is revised, we must combine strict enforcement of the labor laws with a reasonable increase in the Federal minimum wage (one that makes sense in terms of the true cost of minimum wage labor). Then citizens will have an incentive to take the jobs now taken by illegals, and wages will compete effectively with welfare; illegals will find it difficult to compete for jobs and their incentive to enter the country illegally will be greatly reduced.

But the free market apparently "wants" to pay illegals less for their labor. If government interferes with its regulation and enforcement, this market will be distorted. The first thing you'll see, as much of this occurs in agriculture, is another food prices spike.

; )

 

[wjk]

....a reasonable increase in the Federal minimum wage (one that makes sense in terms of the true cost of minimum wage labor). Then citizens will have an incentive to take the jobs now taken by illegals, and wages will compete effectively with welfare; illegals will find it difficult to compete for jobs and their incentive to enter the country illegally will be greatly reduced.

Let's talk about incentive. In my last few years prior to joining the Navy (early 80's), I quit a restaurant management job I had been transferred to in a small town. Within a few months my savings were spent. I didn't seek welfare or food stamps and I didn't want to re-locate to a bigger town where I could stay in that line of work. I took temp local jobs on the back of tractors throwing hay bails in one instant, and pitchforking seed melons in another. It was grueling work and paid minimum wage, far less than I had been making. My incentive? To pay my bills, which I did.

I guess I didn't grow up in a world where I thought I was beneath certain types of work. Regarding minimum wage: When I began my restaurant jobs (and several other min wage types of jobs starting at age 14), I got beyond minimum wages by working hard, willing to take the long hours, gaining experience, and climbing the ladder through supervisor to management positions...easily done in many minimum wage startup jobs. I was willing to live in apartments (starting at age 16) I could afford at my income levels and lived within that lifestyle until I could afford to move up. (I was living in my own place during my senior year in high school, and living on minimum wage at that time thru a co-op at my high school {shelf stocker at a large dept. store}).

Unthinkable to today's pampered, spoiled babies, many of whom still live with their parents at 30 something.

I made 12k (salary) a year as manager in the late 70's. Min wage was around $2.20. What should have I made as manager if min wage had been $15? As asst mgr prior to mgr for same co, I made around 4, and got time and a half. I worked 80 hours a week then. What should I have made if min wage was, again, $15.

 

[Ricter]

Let's talk about incentive. In my last few years prior to joining the Navy (early 80's), I quit a restaurant management job I had been transferred to in a small town. Within a few months my savings were spent. I didn't seek welfare or food stamps and I didn't want to re-locate to a bigger town where I could stay in that line of work. I took temp local jobs on the back of tractors throwing hay bails in one instant, and pitchforking seed melons in another. It was grueling work and paid minimum wage, far less than I had been making. My incentive? To pay my bills, which I did.

I guess I didn't grow up in a world where I thought I was beneath certain types of work. Regarding minimum wage: When I began my restaurant jobs (and several other min wage types of jobs starting at age 14), I got beyond minimum wages by working hard, willing to take the long hours, gaining experience, and climbing the ladder through supervisor to management positions...easily done in many minimum wage startup jobs. I was willing to live in apartments (starting at age 16) I could afford at my income levels and lived within that lifestyle until I could afford to move up. (I was living in my own place during my senior year in high school, and living on minimum wage at that time thru a co-op at my high school {shelf stocker at a large dept. store}).

Unthinkable to today's pampered, spoiled babies, many of whom still live with their parents at 30 something.

I made 12k (salary) a year as manager in the late 70's. Min wage was around $2.20. What should have I made as manager if min wage had been $15? As asst mgr prior to mgr for same co, I made around 4, and got time and a half. I worked 80 hours a week then. What should I have made if min wage was, again, $15.

That $2.20 minimum wage, of 40 years ago, was enough to get you by (until you could get something better)?

 

[wjk]

That $2.20 minimum wage, of 40 years ago, was enough to get you by (until you could get something better)?

Because I was willing to do without many things I would have liked to have. The economy at the end of Carter wasn't that great. My first apt was 1 room and a bathroom. I walked several miles each way to work.

 

[Scataphagos]

"... I was willing to live in apartments (starting at age 16) I could afford at my income levels and lived within that lifestyle until I could afford to move up. (I was living in my own place during my senior year in high school, and living on minimum wage at that time thru a co-op at my high school {shelf stocker at a large dept. store}).

Unthinkable to today's pampered, spoiled babies, many of whom still live with their parents at 30 something.

No honest job should be "beneath" anybody. My 1st job out of HS was as a janitor... making minimum wage swabbing toilets and mopping floors. Never even considered going onto government assistance/food stamps.

My Grandfather told me, "If you plan on eating regular, you'd better plan on working".... "The world doesn't owe you a living".

Too bad HE isn't running the country today. At least the parasites would be doing SOMETHING... rather that living a subsidized life style and voting DemoCrap!

 

[Ricter]

Because I was willing to do without many things I would have liked to have. The economy at the end of Carter wasn't that great. My first apt was 1 room and a bathroom. I walked several miles each way to work.

$2.20 in 1975 dollars would be $9.87 today.

 

[dbphoenix]

Because I was willing to do without many things I would have liked to have. The economy at the end of Carter wasn't that great. My first apt was 1 room and a bathroom. I walked several miles each way to work.

And how much was your rent? How much did you have to pay for food?

 

[wjk]

$2.20 in 1975 dollars would be $9.87 today.

I have no problem going to that level.

 

[wjk]

And how much was your rent? How much did you have to pay for food?

My rent was 75. My food came from my job primarily. I couldn't afford a car, so did without. I had a small black and white tv, and a small am/fm radio. Bottom line, I lived within my means. I had quit high school that year, but did go back the following. Being in high school with your own pad, even if it wasn't much, was actually pretty cool. The apt I had when I went back to school was more expensive (can't remember how much), but also one room and a bath. Again, within my means. I picked up a cheap car, then.