Take a Farm Job from an Illegal Immigrant (illegal aliens, represent, Republicans)

[MotleyCrew]

Originally Posted by chicagonut

That is what the H-2A visa is all about and it is already in place and is unlimited. The farmers choose to use illegal labor instead because it increases their profits so I don't see this guest worker program as a solution to the problem.

It could be a solution if the farmers are charged and fined for hiring illegals.
Again, this country has become incapable of solving any problem. We just throw our hands up and the illegals and Mexican activist will just take over by occupation. What a cake walk taking this country has become.

[MotleyCrew]

Originally Posted by US-Traveller

Many poor and uneducated African-Americans and Whites, especially those living in areas like the rural Southern United States or Industrial Midwest would gladly take a farm job given the economic conditions in those areas where literally no jobs are available. I would also support loaning non-violent prisoners out to large farms if they have shortage of workers to work during the day.

I agree and the color of the skin does not matter. My parents picked cotton for gas money on their way across the states to live in CA and find work. My dad became a Los Angeles police officer.

[MotleyCrew]

I think you prove a good point on how pampered and spoiled we Americans have become with all this consumer protectionisim. Is it right to insist that migrant workers assume these risks for crappy pay? I think we could wear face masks and glove up and do these jobs just fine. My husband has spent a lifetime being exposed to asbestos and when I was very young I worked in a factory dipping my bare hands in Methelethelketone (sp)? all day long. There are certain risks in life and those on the bottom of the ladder may just have to jump in the fire or make sure they are not on the bottom of the ladder for very long.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

I think you prove a good point on how pampered and spoiled we Americans have become with all this consumer protectionisim. Is it right to insist that migrant workers assume these risks for crappy pay? I think we could wear face masks and glove up and do these jobs just fine. My husband has spent a lifetime being exposed to asbestos and when I was very young I worked in a factory dipping my bare hands in Methelethelketone (sp)? all day long. There are certain risks in life and those on the bottom of the ladder may just have to jump in the fire or make sure they are not on the bottom of the ladder for very long.

For years I could see that "convenience" is what has downgraded the energy and willingness of most people of today.
Many(not all) people I know today wouldn't do any job that involved getting your hands dirty.
Some people would be embarrassed to do "blue collar" work.

For those who has never worked on a farm, it's damned hard work! I was raised on a Dairy Farm(Mich) in the 60's.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Opyelie

To me the whole "take my job" campaign smacks of pro illegal taunts.......I don't believe they are being honest with this at all.

There are other sites doing this too.
I signed up over a month ago and have'nt heard from them yet.

[GreXican]

There are a few possible outcomes to this:

A.) Thousands upon thousands of Americans sign up, UFWU ignores every application and states "Not enough applicants signed up" to prove their point.
B.) Thousands upon thousands of Americans sign up, UFWU actually DOES hire them, and eats their words.
C.) Nobody applies, UFWU laughs and gloats that Americans won't do farm jobs.

Somehow I feel like A. will be what happens..

[Opyelie]

From the "news" section of my state's DOL site (my bold emphasis)-

Annual report: No job shortage in agriculture (http://www.esd.wa.gov/newsandinformation/releases/no-job-shortage-in-agriculture.php - broken link)

Though the demand for labor was higher, wages were actually down between 4 and 10 percent for apples, cherries and pears. That’s because the supply of seasonal labor increased even more than labor demand, according to the report.

More work didn’t equate to longer hours. In fact, with so many workers available, the average farm laborer worked about 10 percent fewer hours in 2009.
Even with the additional work, more farm workers collected unemployment benefits in 2009. According to the report, this is likely due to unemployed workers from other industries taking agricultural jobs and pushing out existing workers

Or possibly ILLEGAL farm union workers? Hmmmmm - Not "take our jobs" but "take YOUR jobs" would be more like it.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

It could be a solution if the farmers are charged and fined for hiring illegals.
Again, this country has become incapable of solving any problem. We just throw our hands up and the illegals and Mexican activist will just take over by occupation. What a cake walk taking this country has become.

Rightwingers in Europe, much of which is dealing with a similar situation only with Muslim immigrants, have devised a phrase to describe this phenomenon: suicide by invitation.

[camping!]

Hmmm.....how about construction jobs? That is another industry that is dominated by illegals - and that pays well. Or it should were it not for the illegals who accept substandard wages.
Then there are packing houses. Grusome and dangerous work to be sure - but also an industry that pays well. Or it used to till it to became dominated by the use of illegal labor.

It is interesting to me that those of us who are against illegal immigration are painted as cold heartless bas*ards, yet the pro illegal side are condemning these people to horrible wages and unsafe work environments all in the name of ....what? Diversity? Ethno-centric politics? A misguided sense of compassion? Or perhaps because of a sense of entitlement - getting those 'cheap' strawberries are worth human misery, right? The hypocrisy is astounding.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by camping!

Hmmm.....how about construction jobs? That is another industry that is dominated by illegals - and that pays well. Or it should were it not for the illegals who accept substandard wages.
Then there are packing houses. Grusome and dangerous work to be sure - but also an industry that pays well. Or it used to till it to became dominated by the use of illegal labor.

It is interesting to me that those of us who are against illegal immigration are painted as cold heartless bas*ards, yet the pro illegal side are condemning these people to horrible wages and unsafe work environments all

Diversity? Ethno-centric politics? A misguided sense of compassion? Or perhaps because of a sense of entitlement - getting those 'cheap' strawberries are worth human misery, right? The hypocrisy is astounding.

(all in the name of "MONEY")