Migrant workers or...... (insurance, house, landscaping)

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by hennybenny

Many migrant workers, who are raised with a much different lifestyle and work ethic, are more than willing to do the work

That's nonsense.

I see New York City sanitation workers slinging heavy, dripping, foul smelling bags of garbage into trucks in all kinds of weather--hot and humid, icy and freezing, and yet they do it because they get paid a living wage.

Look at how hard a fireman's job is--very hard, dirty, exhuasting work, done all while risking being burned alive. You think those firemen who were climbing the World Trade Center stairs when the buildings collapsed, weren't wishing they were picking blueberries instead?

American citizens are the hardest working people on the planet.

There are plenty of American citzens that willingly do jobs much nastier than picking tomatoes.

The problem is the illegal immigrants say they will work for less, because illegal immigrants sleep in fields or in bed bug infested flop houses have no house or car payments, no health or car insurance--just the clothes on their backs.

American citizens cannot work for such low wages and still have their families live in civilized conditions.

[tcrackly]

Ummm, I believe the discussion was about legal migrant workers, not illegal alien workers.

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by tcrackly

Ummm, I believe the discussion was about legal migrant workers, not illegal alien workers.

Yes, it is. One thing to keep in mind is that there are groups of migrant workers to do the same jobs route every year. I have a friend that works with employment statistics with migrant workers and surveys the harvesting of the apple crop in Eastern West Virginia every year and has learned that some of the work crews come every year after they finish raking the Blueberry crop in Washington County. I'm not sure what other areas are on their routes.

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Originally Posted by OutDoorNut

That's nonsense.

I see New York City sanitation workers slinging heavy, dripping, foul smelling bags of garbage into trucks in all kinds of weather--hot and humid, icy and freezing, and yet they do it because they get paid a living wage.

Look at how hard a fireman's job is--very hard, dirty, exhuasting work, done all while risking being burned alive. You think those firemen who were climbing the World Trade Center stairs when the buildings collapsed, weren't wishing they were picking blueberries instead?

American citizens are the hardest working people on the planet.

There are plenty of American citzens that willingly do jobs much nastier than picking tomatoes.

The problem is the illegal immigrants say they will work for less, because illegal immigrants sleep in fields or in bed bug infested flop houses have no house or car payments, no health or car insurance--just the clothes on their backs.

American citizens cannot work for such low wages and still have their families live in civilized conditions.

Originally Posted by mensaguy

Yes, it is. One thing to keep in mind is that there are groups of migrant workers to do the same jobs route every year. I have a friend that works with employment statistics with migrant workers and surveys the harvesting of the apple crop in Eastern West Virginia every year and has learned that some of the work crews come every year after they finish raking the Blueberry crop in Washington County. I'm not sure what other areas are on their routes.

But you see, Outdoor Nut does have a point. (I'm actually agreeing with him!) Migrant workers move around, therefore, do not have the bills that people have when they stay put, in one place.

It's not that Americans won't do the jobs because the work is too hard, it's because what they pay is not conducive to a lifestyle of staying in one place. If you are willing to move around a lot, go from state to state to find work, then you can do it.

How many people want to do that? That doesn't have a thing to do with "entitlement" issues, it has to do with establishing roots and trying to better yourself which is not easy to do when you are constantly moving around to follow the jobs. And the pay works for those who move around with their families and friends, not so much for those who park in one spot and try to establish themselves in their chosen town or city.

[namder1]

OK, so if farmers and/or processors were to pay a decent wage to entice Americans to work for them.....would we all be willing to pay a higher price for their goods? I for one would....but I am single and don't have a mortgage or kids to raise. Secondly....how to tell legal from illegal? I just moved back here from California and I can tell you that the illegals are VERY good at falsifying documents.

[mainebrokerman]

we as a state could reduce unemployment, increase taxes (from payroll) just by eliminating the fraud in welfare and disability

we have one of the largest rates of welfare- yet have many immigrants working?????????????????????

[Kiwiluver]

My wife and I were spending the night in Milbridge two weeks ago and were very surprised at the number of Hispanic people we saw in town, I believe (that is an assumption) they were harvesting blueberries as there were "Welcome Blueberry Harvesters" signs all over town. PS we really liked that town.

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Originally Posted by namder1

OK, so if farmers and/or processors were to pay a decent wage to entice Americans to work for them.....would we all be willing to pay a higher price for their goods? I for one would....but I am single and don't have a mortgage or kids to raise. Secondly....how to tell legal from illegal? I just moved back here from California and I can tell you that the illegals are VERY good at falsifying documents.

Yes, I would. In the end, I think it would be cheaper if more Americans were working and less illegals. (I know this post is not about illegals, I'm making a point.)

[namder1]

I guess my original point was about the sign and language changing..........

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by namder1

I guess my original point was about the sign and language changing..........

Federal law.

I knew I could answer this without ranting. I just needed time to figure out how.