The feelings of illegal aliens who were disheartened by yesterday's failed cloture vote on the "comprehensive immigration reform" bill in the Senate are the focus of this Reuters piece by Tim Gaynor. Get your handkerchiefs ready...the Tearjerker Express is ready to leave the station.
PHOENIX (Reuters) - For day laborers seeking work in a sun-baked parking lot on Thursday, defeat of U.S. President George W. Bush's plans for an immigration overhaul has set back their dreams of a normal life.
Much emphasis is put on the searing heat these men must endure as they stand outside a building materials store waiting for job prospects to come their way, which jacks up the sympathy factor this article is trying to elicit. There are also quotes aplenty from the men looking for work, including this one from 58-year-old Bonifacio Sosa, who has been in the US illegally for 14 years:
"We are illegals, we are just trash to them, and we'll just have to carry on here in the shadows hiding from everyone."
The implied racism of the bill's opponents is difficult to miss.
Some of other individuals we hear from are Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles and Arizona's Democrat governor Janet Napolitano, both who express regret and disappointment with yesterday's vote. Unsurprisingly, there are no quotes from anyone who is pleased with yesterday's vote who is in a position of authority similar to Mahoney and Napolitano.
In fact, there is nothing in the article to indicate any of the specific concerns expressed by those who opposed the bill (other than a general statement regarding the reward of giving at least 12 million people legal status) -- making it a highly unbalanced piece designed to tug on our heartstrings and possibly sway our way of thinking in the illegal immigration debate.
Comments Policy
There bubble, my needle. I bu
June 29, 2007 - 10:47 ET by bassndudeThere bubble, my needle. I burst it. Shame on me.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
"We are illegals, we are
June 29, 2007 - 11:10 ET by Mica the Magnificent"We are illegals, we are just trash to them . . "
You got part of it right - YOU ARE ILLEGAL!!
All conversation should end there with your deportation!
BTW - Sorry you have to stand out in the 'searing heat' waiting for a job, but I'll bet the heat is more 'searing' in your corrupt f**king homeland!
If I support Hillary and not Obama, I'll be called a racist. If I support Obama and not HIllary, I'll be called sexist. Waaaaaaaa! - - -A liberal staying up nights
do you like food?
June 29, 2007 - 16:22 ET by treshando you like food? unfortunately, the agricultural industry is already in huge rut with few skilled workers to fill out its employment roster. just ask the panel of agricultural entrepreneurs that attended a conference at the hudson institute earlier this year.
legal migrant workers are OK
June 29, 2007 - 16:28 ET by florida_chadlegal migrant workers are OK - illegals are NOT
And American teenagers can pi
June 29, 2007 - 16:31 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveAnd American teenagers can pick fruit just as well as anyone. Earning a paycheck from an honest day's work can do a lot for today's teens.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
What sort of question is th
June 29, 2007 - 17:35 ET by FlashmanWhat sort of question is that? We all like food but why should we be allowing Foreign Criminals to depress wages and stifle agricultural innovation? I have no doubt at all that a nation that put a man on the moon is more than able to come up with ways of automating vast amounts of labour intensive operations?
Why not award a $50 million prize to the first company that automates the collection of an acre of lettuce field? You might be surprised by the results.
"... a nation that [can]
July 1, 2007 - 21:20 ET by MikeB"... a nation that [can] ... come up with ways of automating vast amounts of labour intensive operations..." Do you mean machines like this and this? Machines doing jobs that Americans and illegal aliens won't do or can't do as efficiently.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
"For day laborers seekin
June 29, 2007 - 15:31 ET by Mean Gene Dr. Love"For day laborers seeking work in a sun-baked parking lot on Thursday, defeat of U.S. President George W. Bush's plans for an immigration overhaul has set back their dreams of a normal life..."
They voluntarily left their "normal life" when they illegally crossed our border (or overstayed their legal 'welcome'). And now they're whining about our Senate (that has no legal obligation to represent them or any other non-citizen) voting down a reward for their criminal behavior...it's hard to have a "normal life" when you are a criminal hiding from justice. Their "normal life" will return very quickly if they would return to Mexico (or wherever else they are from).
"We are illegals, we are just trash to them, and we'll just have to carry on here in the shadows hiding from everyone."
Trespassers. Uninvited. Unwelcomed. That's why they have to "hide in the shadows," not because we think they're trash. We don't think of them as less than humans, we merely look at them as people that are here illegally. They can just keep up their little pity party and keep telling themselves they're victims of racism...it'll get them nowhere.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
In a different moment - American workers..
June 29, 2007 - 15:43 ET by Gary HallIn a different moment in time, American workers (citizen's, that is) protrayed as the victim, by CNN's Lou Dobbs, would have been cast as the victim by this same MSM.
However, in this particular battle, Dobbs (the liberal Democrat union supporting liberal worker's party's best guy) became the bad guy, in the eye of the liberal MSM.
The MSM abandoned it customary stance as an ally to socialst worker causes here at home, for their temporary and greater need (as they see it) of supporting the foreign worker as having inalienable rights above all others.
On a different day, Lou Dobbs would have been the flag bearer to the MSM. On this day, the MSM wanted nothing to do with the left of center pay as you go amnesty bill pushed by Bush and Ted Kennedy, and even less to do with the historic and more conservative views of the majority of the American voter - that of the so called "right-wingers, " which just happened to find a friend on one issue, on one day, with one left leaning Lou Dobbs.
The media got what it wanted, this time - a defeat for Bush. That is all they actually cared about, as they did not support the bill either - this one being too conservative for the MSM.
one question i dont see ans
June 29, 2007 - 16:24 ET by treshanone question i dont see answered is "who is going to work in the agricultural industry in california?" but conservatives just ignore it like they have for years. they dont understand that the industry is choking without essential labor available. if we WANTED to do these jobs, then there wouldnt be a need for migrant workers to come to our country.
I don't buy the premise of yo
June 29, 2007 - 16:29 ET by Chris NormanI don't buy the premise of your question, does anyone else?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Chris...I think he is tumbler
June 29, 2007 - 16:40 ET by bigtimerChris...
I think he is tumbler junior.
Not me.................
June 29, 2007 - 16:41 ET by florida_chadNot me.................
Why, thomas, how thoughtful o
June 29, 2007 - 16:34 ET by bassndudeWhy, thomas, how thoughtful of you. So what your saying is that these people are sub human or on a lower level than you or the rest of Americans and legal migrants. What is it about the word illegal do you not understand? There are plenty of people that are willing to do these jobs, the problem is the criminal migrants do it for little or nothing. I cant belive your advocating keeping these people down in the dirt and only let them work once a year. Tell me, who do you think dose the work in the midwest wheat and barley fields? Florida? The criminals? Only in California would you willingly employ criminals.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
*crickets*Save a SeAL, club a
June 29, 2007 - 16:40 ET by bassndude*crickets*
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
YOU might not want that job,
June 29, 2007 - 16:34 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveYOU might not want that job, but there are other American citizens that will do just about anything to earn a paycheck. Since harvesting produce isn't a job that requires special skills, it is a perfect job for a teenager. I would take a job like that before I would ever consider running to the unemployment office.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
Exactly Dr. Love.
June 29, 2007 - 16:46 ET by bigtimerExactly Dr. Love.
*crickets*Save a SeAL, club a
June 29, 2007 - 16:51 ET by bassndude*crickets*
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Pay someone a decent wage and
June 29, 2007 - 16:51 ET by Darth DutchPay someone a decent wage and Americans will work for it. Pay them a couple of bucks an hour and they won't. But the illegal alien will. Unless you advocate paying Americans the same wages as the illegals? That's the only way your question is valid.
Dutch
Hello tthomas,When the housin
June 29, 2007 - 17:11 ET by alamojbHello tthomas,
When the housing market "dropped" in California there was a sob story about illegals going back to work in agriculture. Then I was reading about asparagus farmering where the workers there usually only stay till they can get a better job elsewhere. No doubt it is hard work. What we have now, to borrow the words of the environmentalist, is not "sustainable". Millions crossing over to take low wage jobs, soaking up welfare, only to be replaced by millions more after them. I do not want to live in a U.S with 400,000,000 people, but that is where we are headed. We can not build new power plants, start new mines, open new refineries because of the NIMBY's and the environmentalists. We will be rationing things like a second world nation at this rate. Already, in the summers, we have rolling electrical blackouts. Recently, here in Texas, TXU was trying to build new coal plants but the enviros went nuts. Our electrical system is becoming unstable like California's because our population is swelling from Mexico and places like California. Don't talk to me about windpower, Texas has more installed than any other state, but the writing on the wall is clear, the enviros and the NIMBY's are turning against wind now, also.
Who will harvest the crops? 1) Further mechanization. There are mechanical asparagus harvesters, but the current ones work best on flat ground. So the Fields have to be adjusted to make them work. 2) Criminals. The Texas prison system used to have these large "pea" farms where the criminals worked to grow crops to sell. That was in my lifetime, and I am in my 30's. Liberal judges pretty much killed that- too many sob regulations. Criminals could be assigned to large private farms to work during the day for a fee. There is an exception clause in the the 13 th amendment for this. The criminals could be motivated by token money and shorter sentences for working the fields. Shock collars would work too, but I am sure the libs would cry about that. 3) Gut the welfare rolls. Make people work.
One other thing. I am sick
June 29, 2007 - 17:30 ET by alamojbOne other thing. I am sick and tired of hearing that only illegals will do construction work. This country was built long before this massive Mexican invasion began. As the Mexicans (and that is what the largest group of illegals are) move in the legal workers are pushed out by falling wages. Then a secondary process seems to set in where it is required that you speak spanish to work on a crew. Several years ago I was working for a roofing company in WACO Texas. The crew I worked on did metal roofs and metal framing. I did not do the hiring, but I am pretty sure half the crew was illegal since I spoke more Spanish than they spoke English. We had about 8 or so people working on the crew. The boss was white. I was white and one ex-con who worked on the crew was white. Everyone else was Hispanic. Only one of those spoke good English. They are hard workers, no doubt. For the work we did , the pay was not that great. Blue collar workers used to be able to make decent money in construction. Not anymore. That is who this is hurting. The blue collar legal citizens. I will say one thing. Roofing, especially metal roofing, is one field where darker skin people have an advantage. I went to wearing long sleeves in triple digit temps because of sunburn. Of course, the military does that all the time by reg.
Thanks alamojb you saved me
June 29, 2007 - 20:53 ET by general companyThanks alamojb you saved me a lot of typing. Down here in south Louisiana the illegal have swarmed us since Katrina. Carpenters and other tradesmen have had their wages severely depressed. You would had thought that all of the work that needed to be done here would had increased the wage earnings. The out of state contractors showed up and killed our already lower then average wages, plus they bought and rented every place their was down here. This has become a rather sudden problem for us, and let me tell you their are folks down here ready to throw them out NOW.I have seen store owners refuse their patronage and local contractors run them off work sites without papers showing their status. Check out how our Senators voted, they get it.
Actually there was a fourth A
June 30, 2007 - 03:05 ET by alamojbActually there was a fourth Anglo on that crew with us in WACO, I had forgotten about him. Still, it was about half Hispanic,half Anglo. The Hispanics are hard workers, no doubt about it.
The Hispanics are hard worker
June 30, 2007 - 20:41 ET by general companyThe Hispanics are hard workers, no doubt about it.
That is true, but a lot of them down here are working for less then Stand up contractors, so a lot of their work is starting to be questioned.
thomas5
June 29, 2007 - 17:18 ET by Gary HallThomas5...."who is going to work in the agricultural industry in california?" but conservatives... "
Oh, can the "but conservatives," here.
Here's the left's battle cry."All we need to do is enforce the laws and stop the corporations (this has to include all business, to be fair) from hiring the illegal's - fine the businesses that hire them."
OK, I say. Fine. Of course tomorrow, if the government actually did that, some 10-12 million illegals would be out a job. Do the liberals actually want to fire all of the illegals?
About the only thing I liked about the Immigration bill was the documented worker program. I'd liked to see it tweaked so that the number of documented workers was forced to be smaller and smaller over time, so that more folks here would be forced by economic pressures to take the jobs.
Secondly, I have no qualms about using prison labor to do these jobs. Pay them minimum wage. Put it in an interest bearing account. A prisoner getting out of jail working full time for minimum wage ($7 in CA +/-), after 10 years (at 5% growth) could have someting like $185,000 in the bank - to start over with.
For the record, the staunch views on immigration reform (reduction of legal immigration + strong border control + ending illegal immigration) is not limited to the conservative party. It has strong roots in the Democrat party, as well. It is the MSM which does it's damn best to keep this out of the debate.
You could start with Harry Reid's views back in 1993. The father of Earth Day, the late Gaylord Nelson, Barbara Jordan (Clinton's chair for his immigration reform commission), Former Democrat Gov. of CO - Dick Lamn, JFK, etc.
Gary H....Excellent points...
June 29, 2007 - 17:25 ET by bigtimerGary H....
Excellent points.
....thank you...thank you...thank you...
Gary HGood points also. One
June 29, 2007 - 17:43 ET by alamojbGary H
Good points also. One other thing the prisoners wages could go towards is child support. How many children receive no financial support from one of their parents because one or both of them is in prison? You could even set it up where the prisoner could put it towards a college fund for a kid, if the kid is already being taken care of by other means.
alamojb - wonderful idea
June 29, 2007 - 18:13 ET by Gary Hallalamojb - wonderful idea. (;~>
..
PS - BT - if you're looking in - thanks. gh
Alamo, it also wouldn't hurt
July 1, 2007 - 21:28 ET by MikeBAlamo, it also wouldn't hurt for a goodly portion of that paycheck to be given to the state for the cost of incarcerating the convict. Give the taxpayers some relief. In this way, the convict really would be paying his "debt to society".
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
You know, the MSM is suspicio
June 29, 2007 - 15:43 ET by drillanwrYou know, the MSM is suspiciously avoiding the voices of immigrants who came here legally. I would bet that after going through the long process nearly everyone of them is against just handing over legality or citizenship to these illegal aliens.
Notice how the story is done
June 29, 2007 - 15:51 ET by buddycNotice how the story is done "defeant of President Bush's ...". If it were a Republican congress it would be "failure of the Republican . . . ". This is a democrat failure, no matter how you view it. They had the votes with moderate republicans. As a hispanic I will hold the democrats accountable for their taking my support for granted.
As far as I am concerned it U
June 29, 2007 - 21:04 ET by general companyAs far as I am concerned it Us (American citizens) against them (Government and MSM) so this is a Big Win for Us. My hope is that we start voting in more of Us in Government. Career politicians are crooked politicians
As said by Reese Bobby in Tal
June 29, 2007 - 15:52 ET by BlazerAs said by Reese Bobby in Talladega Nights,
" If you dont' shut up illegal immigrant, I'll come at you like a spider monkey, and raid that sun- baked parking lot! "
Sorry, I'm all out of Kleenex. Boo-friggin-hoo! Go stand in line like everyone else, speak English, and pay taxes. The only free ride these lawbreaking invaders should get is back across the border, and I'll drive.
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
As said by Reese Bobby in Tal
June 29, 2007 - 15:53 ET by BlazerAs said by Reese Bobby in Talladega Nights,
" If you dont' shut up illegal immigrant, I'll come at you like a spider monkey, and raid that sun- baked parking lot! "
Sorry, I'm all out of Kleenex. Boo-friggin-hoo! Go stand in line like everyone else, speak English, and pay taxes. The only free ride these law breaking invaders should get is back across the border, and I'll drive.
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Yeah...Well....Cry me a river
June 29, 2007 - 15:54 ET by bigtimerYeah...Well....Cry me a river.
You lost...We the American people have spoken loud and clear....
Get used to it...
We Won't Back Down.
The writer must have gone to
June 29, 2007 - 16:01 ET by Chris NormanThe writer must have gone to the Geraldo Rivera School of Sob Sister Journalism
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
yeah who needs illegal immi
June 29, 2007 - 16:30 ET by treshanyeah who needs illegal immigrants! i want there to be an employment shortage in key american industries!
im going to keep posting about this until someone responds. i want to know who will work in the agricultural industry picking our food when no one else in america will. conservatives argue "oh, there are plenty of americans that will but they cant now."
there is nothing keeping americans from doing it now. the simple fact is that no one wants those kind of jobs, so employers hire people who will. just think about it, do you want to pick fruits and vegetables in 100+ degree heat for 8-12 hours a day? if so, when are you gonna sign up? i bet you'll sign up as quick as you have for military duty.
answer
June 29, 2007 - 16:32 ET by florida_chadthomas - we don't need illegals. GET IT??
Legal migrant workers are fine. LEGAL - comprendo ?
and the mechanization of agr
June 29, 2007 - 16:35 ET by Chris Normanand the mechanization of agriculture will continue.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
from my research and talkin
June 29, 2007 - 16:35 ET by treshanfrom my research and talking to actual agricultural entrepreneurs, they want more legal migrant workers. that to me is a perfectly fine solution, but the point is that until the government does so, we are relying on illegal workers.
Your research? Who did you ta
June 29, 2007 - 16:39 ET by bassndudeYour research? Who did you talk to? One criminal migrant? Are you telling me that our goverment dosent allow folks to migrate into the US? Your arguments are immature and also ignorant, and your becomming a bore.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I'm saying the government d
June 29, 2007 - 16:51 ET by treshanI'm saying the government does not hire enough legal migrant workers.
It is not the goverments to h
June 29, 2007 - 16:53 ET by bassndudeIt is not the goverments to hire or fire legal migrant workers. That is not what the goverments responsibility. Dident you take Civics 101?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
So, we're supposed to subsidi
June 29, 2007 - 16:45 ET by Chris NormanSo, we're supposed to subsidize agri-business through all the costs illegal immigrants put on the system? I'm sure the people you talked to would like that. What business wouldn't?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Some of the Senators like Lar
June 29, 2007 - 17:00 ET by bigtimerSome of the Senators like Larry Craig from Idaho liked that idea Chris....
I pray he is defeated and they find ANYBODY to take his place and run against that bought and paid for SOB....oh say Butch Otter who is in the House now.
I am going to be working on it and keeping close tabs.
BT,This exposed a lot of Repu
June 29, 2007 - 17:06 ET by Chris NormanBT,
This exposed a lot of Republicans we thought shared our conservative views. Views they share only at election time...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
He has been disappointing me
June 29, 2007 - 17:10 ET by bigtimerHe has been disappointing me for years...but this Bill had done it for me.
I have called for months now about all of this...this isn't the first time or subject...but this did it.
I want him gone as a lot of other people do too.
I also hope Lott is replaceable....Craig and Lott and others have been there too long.
I want to see Adios.
To that I would add Voinovich
June 29, 2007 - 17:14 ET by Chris NormanTo that I would add Voinovich, Graham... I think it might be time for Lugar to head back to reality also.
Some have just been in so long they forget why they are there - they think it's a lifetime bestowment and they should answer to no one. Graham lied to the conservative voters to get elected.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Could not agree more about th
June 29, 2007 - 17:22 ET by bigtimerCould not agree more about the so-called men you listed Chris.
Lugar never gets criticized but as far as I am concerned he is no friend to the right side of the aisle and hasn't been for years...he slyly gets by in his non-assuming way that he has for years now.
Bigtimer for Senate?"A c
July 1, 2007 - 21:30 ET by MikeBBigtimer for Senate?
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
bt's got my vote. :)We are no
July 1, 2007 - 21:44 ET by QueenMumbt's got my vote. :)
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. - Queen Victoria
"yeah who needs illega
June 29, 2007 - 16:35 ET by ckc1227"yeah who needs illegal immigrants! i want there to be an employment shortage in key american industries!
im going to keep posting about this until someone responds. i want
to know who will work in the agricultural industry picking our food
when no one else in america will. conservatives argue "oh, there are
plenty of americans that will but they cant now."
there is nothing keeping americans from doing it now. the simple fact
is that no one wants those kind of jobs, so employers hire people who
will. just think about it, do you want to pick fruits and vegetables in
100+ degree heat for 8-12 hours a day? if so, when are you gonna sign
up? i bet you'll sign up as quick as you have for military duty."
I'm guessing the "5" in your name refers to your age. Don't worry wittle Tommy, you'll be a big boy one day.
wow, intelligent. im sure new
June 29, 2007 - 16:36 ET by treshanwow, intelligent. im sure newsbusters values your verbally masturbatory remarks.
tt...Shortage my arse....I ha
June 29, 2007 - 16:38 ET by bigtimertt...
Shortage my arse....
I have done plenty of those jobs they keep saying WE WON'T DO in my life...plenty of others do too.
Face reality.
....would you troll....
...ahhhh...nevermind...you are just doing your lousy job.
Btw...You are lucky as hell you are in a free country by the people who have and do sign up for the military...try being gracious and grateful once in your posting life here...
troll.
it's not about what you hav
June 29, 2007 - 16:48 ET by treshanit's not about what you have done individually. i'm explaining the overall assessment of the impact of illegal migrant workers on our workforce, which has been to fill in labor shortages where agricultural sectors have outgrown their present workforce. if you don't understand that simpel fact, look at the latest article post below, and if you don't ge that, what can i say?
and i mention the military because like working in the fields, it's not the first occupation most people consider when they finish high school. so don't even mention how i'm not gracous or grateful, because that's irrelevant.
tt...This country will and al
June 29, 2007 - 16:52 ET by bigtimertt...
This country will and always has done just fine without ILLEGAL ALIENS.
It is relevant if you mention the military tt....I will and did answer back...btw...working in the fields is something I have done....it would not compare to being in the militiary nimrod.
Who are you really? Weren'
June 29, 2007 - 16:53 ET by Ten7sWho are you really? Weren't you assigned this site and given a list of talking points, etc.? You're somebody's hack, admit it.
thomas, I take exception to y
June 29, 2007 - 17:08 ET by bassndudethomas, I take exception to your military comment. I did join the military right out of high school. And lots of folks around here do. Just because there are those like you that will not.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
If produce prices skyrocket,
June 29, 2007 - 16:43 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveIf produce prices skyrocket, then more and more people will start to grow their own food. And that is part of the Liberal's Tree-Hugger Dream isn't it? No more produce being shipped all over the country dumping 'carbon' into the atmosphere. Don't you see, this would be an environmentalist dream come true if produce was too expensive to buy.
However, the fact remains that the U.S. already has plenty of legal citizens to shoulder the work-load. It would be a great way for some kids to save up some cash to put themselves through college and avoid getting student loans. We just need to stop allowing our teens to be lazy and expecting that everything be given to them. Put them to work.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
i think you're kid is too b
June 29, 2007 - 16:57 ET by treshani think you're kid is too busy in line for the iPhone. maybe he can download a cool strawberry background though.
...Oh go fly a kite in Soros
June 29, 2007 - 17:02 ET by bigtimer...Oh go fly a kite in Soros Land tt....
...troll.
i have migrant workers fly
June 29, 2007 - 17:16 ET by treshani have migrant workers fly kites for me. but i bet you would do the job if i just raised my wages a little.
My eldest is 4 and still a li
June 29, 2007 - 17:11 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveMy eldest is 4 and still a little young to enter the workforce, and if she wanted an iPhone, she would have to go earn the money herself to pay for it because I will not buy crap like that for my kids...no TV, no radio, phone, no gadgets...if they want those things they're buying them. I will provide food, clothes, shelter and a few other things my wife and I feel are necessary or 'nice'. Everything else is gravy and the kids can raise the money themselves to purchase them. Unlike you and your children, my children will grow up with the understanding that nothing is free. They will also understand the value of an honest day's work.
I got my first job when I was 13, I have been gainfully employed ever since (22 years). I have mowed lawns, landscaped, roofed, scrapped houses, worked retail, worked in a nursery, worked in merchandising, and the military. None of them have been the best job in the world or the highest paying, but I have always kept food on the table, a roof over my head, gas in my car, all my bills paid, and most everything I want (within reason). I utterly refuse to be a burden on society.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
I hate to follow and say exac
June 29, 2007 - 17:18 ET by bigtimerI hate to follow and say exactly again Dr. Love...
....BUT....
EXACTLY!
My list of jobs would be too long to list that I have done since I have been eight in my life.
I am sick to death of hearing the crap I do by these so-called know it all's who know absolutely nothing about the real world outside of their perception of the world as they see it.....
Which IS NOT REALITY at all.
Right on!Before I was employe
June 29, 2007 - 17:26 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveRight on!
Before I was employed, I had to weed our enormous garden, mow our lawn (and my neighbor's lawns with no expectation of them paying me...Dad always said I should help my neighbors if I see the have a need), I chopped wood, baby-sat, regular household chores. Anything my parents could find to keep me and my 4 brothers busy. I never got nor expected an allowance...I understood that those things were part of being in our family. I hated it when I was young, but I will be forever grateful to my parents for teaching me to work my a$$ off and enjoying the fruits of my labor and appreciating any time I got for relaxation...I am working hard to help my kids understand the same.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
unfortunately, your own per
June 29, 2007 - 17:21 ET by treshanunfortunately, your own personal experience does not describe the contrasting fluctuating trend in agricultural labor. if youre kid is 4 and wants an iphone, you have other problems that belong on a different website.i'm glad you've worked hard, but that doesnt explain the overall holes in our employment force in the agro sector.
Just out of curiosity tt...do
June 29, 2007 - 17:30 ET by bigtimerJust out of curiosity tt...do you have kids?
sure i do , ask your wife.
June 29, 2007 - 17:37 ET by treshansure i do , ask your wife.
little jimmy is that you?Mayb
June 29, 2007 - 17:40 ET by bigtimerlittle jimmy is that you?
Maybe yellerdawg....
LMAO!
and you wonder why she came
June 29, 2007 - 17:48 ET by treshanand you wonder why she came calling..
"sure i do , ask your
June 29, 2007 - 22:56 ET by ckc1227"sure i do , ask your wife."
See, I was right....the "5" does refer to your age....and maybe even your IQ.
fyi tthomas bigtimer is
June 29, 2007 - 23:02 ET by shawn228fyi tthomas bigtimer is a woman.
How many American teens are t
June 29, 2007 - 17:42 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveHow many American teens are there?
How many American teens are employed?
How many American teens are employed in agriculture?
How many American teens are not employed?
How many American college students are not employed?
The teenagers and college students in the U.S.A. are a huge workforce that is relatively untapped because they have been conditioned in public schools to think that society owes them something or that they are too good for certain jobs (or that picking produce is something that illegals should do). We also have too many parents that are way too loose with their purse-strings and give their kids everything they want from video games to a college education.
Also, if our employment laws that are against employing illegals were enforced, the agro-business people would have to start recruiting workers from our teens and college students as they usually work for less and have no special skills, which makes them perfect for harvesting produce.
My personal experience is an example of what more people should be doing rather than going on the government dole. This labor problem (and not just in agriculture) was created by leftist nanny-state welfare and social programs that have made it more profitable for unemployed people to stay unemployed than it is for them to go and earn a paycheck.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
HEY! Excellent idea! You wa
June 29, 2007 - 23:29 ET by amberHEY! Excellent idea! You want welfare? Go work in the fields and you can pick up your check! That would be great, I would be willing to pay 50% less to them so they could make the other 50 working for a farmer.
I see that there is another problem, though. Because of the ability to hire huge quantities of illegals, many of the smaller farms in the midwest have shut down. The stores simply will not buy local produce. The people here are willing to pick and process the produce, but the stores will not buy it unless it was shipped from California. Some small ones do, but none of the chains. This could be a great thing for people who want to grow food. Think of all of the women (men too) who would like to stay home, but also want to earn some kind of income. I do it, it pays for all of the fun things we do and the kids help because if they don't then they can not see the latest movie. I also, as I said in another place, have a lot of people who want to pick. One lady consistantly picks 80lbs of raspberries every fall. I also get to help out people who would not otherwise be able to afford fresh fruit by letting them keep half of what they pick. It works out great for me if I have too many orders to fill. People place orders with me 6 months ahead of the crops and sometimes they are over 100 miles away, but HyVee, Cub, or any other large chain will not buy from me. That's fine, I never have any extra. I know the large growers, like Driscols, may suffer or have to raise prices, but I don't really care, that just means I will make even more money.
Dr Love
June 29, 2007 - 17:40 ET by mandrakeDr Love,
Just make sure you include orthodontic work under the heading of "necessary or nice". Making a kid go through high school with bad teeth is just plain cruel.
I had to wait until my 20's when I could pay for it myself... It's the one thing I hold against my dad...but I love him anyway :-)
I'll do what I can...it depen
June 29, 2007 - 17:45 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveI'll do what I can...it depends on the pocketbook, but I'm in my mid-30's and I still have some crooked teeth (one of which I'm a bit self-conscious about).
So far, both my girls have great teeth...of course they're still baby teeth...(crossing my fingers).
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." --Thomas Jefferson
there is nothing keeping amer
June 29, 2007 - 16:57 ET by Darth Dutchthere is nothing keeping americans from doing it now.
Sure there is; the fact that the employers hire the illegals and pay them next to nothing. As I said in a post above, pay Americans a decent wage, and they'll work for it. Pay them pennies and they won't. Not sure why you don't see that.
Oh, and yes, I know it may drive the cost of products up, but I'm much more willing to pay for for my produce if I know my taxes aren't going to educate, incarcerate, feed, clothe, and provide medical care for illegals. We'll save MUCH MORE in the long run doing this.
Dutch
Hi Guys, I am a virgin poster
June 29, 2007 - 17:46 ET by KatactHi Guys, I am a virgin poster so take this for what it is, but i could not let the comment by Thomas go. I have worked in the agricultural field in very hot weather (as a teen every summer till i graduated) and I have also served my country in the military (13 years). Do not denigrate what I have accomplished by working hard all my life. I would still be in the military if it was my choice, I consider it a privilege.!!!!!!
Kat....Thank you for your ser
June 29, 2007 - 17:49 ET by bigtimerKat....
Thank you for your service ....
Enjoy the site...
Warning...Warning...it is addictive.
tthomas5: im going to keep po
June 29, 2007 - 21:10 ET by general companytthomas5: im going to keep posting about this until someone responds. i want to know who will work in the agricultural industry picking our food when no one else in america will.
You tthomas5 you, we are all counting on you!
}}----> general company
June 29, 2007 - 21:28 ET by Cool ArrowHere's the deal: I will pay for what I eat. I see no problem with that. You cannot be so stupid as to believe we wouldn't find American workers to do it or: that Agricultural work can't be more mechanized.
You have this idea that we need Illegals. You probably have the idea that the minimum wage is too low. You therefore believe in slavery. A permanent underclass to serve you food.
We're more than happy right now to watch food prices skyrocket because some idiot thinks we should stuff corn into our gas tanks.
Maybe it's time we grew our own food.
}}----> Sorry General
June 29, 2007 - 21:43 ET by Cool ArrowI thought it was your post I was answering.
Thomas, you are in luck! I
June 29, 2007 - 22:01 ET by amberThomas, you are in luck! I will pick your food (I charge $4/lb for raspberries and $2 for strawberries). I grow strawberries, raspberries, pears, plums, peaches, cherries, apricots, and apples. I actually get quite a few people who want to pick their own food, it is a family affair. I was actually thinking of adding "picked by and American" to my advertising this year.
I also grow many vegis, raise chickens, turkeys, duck, and eggs. All you have to do is shop at your local farmer's market. The more people buy from them, they more growers there will be. The food is better there too. Grocery stores might need some pressure to force them to buy from local growers. The huge growers in California who use illegals to do their picking actually take away from local growers. I live in the midwest, we grow great produce here, but most stores will not take food from local growers, they would rather ship crap from California (not that their produce is bad, but in order for it to ship without bruising it mst be picked prematurely). It does not really affect me, I sell all I grow, but I know plenty of people who are upset by this.
Oh, and I signed up for the Army National Guard, served 8 years and married a man who currently has served 24. My brother also served after he finished school at USMA.
}}----> Thanks, amber
June 29, 2007 - 22:13 ET by Cool ArrowWe don't seem to understand the changes we would go through to feed ourselves instead of hiring Illegals to dangle grapes over our mouths as we drift down the Nile could be well worth it.
I don't want Slaves in my country, but President Bush and Ted Kennedy have other ideas.
DON'T FORGET TO EMAIL 2-WORDS
June 29, 2007 - 16:12 ET by TOEDON'T FORGET TO EMAIL 2-WORDS TO THE SENATORS
OF YOUR CHOICE WHO HELD THE LINE AGAINST SHAMNESTY...
"THANK YOU!"
THEY'LL KNOW.