From BBC News website.
Day without Mexicans
Expect the next battle in which George is left to fend for himself in the jungle to focus on immigration reform. This is a pet project of the former governor from Texas.
He understands that the mountainous desert border is porous but that the United States cannot do without millions of illegal Mexican workers who toss burgers, change hotel sheets and tend suburban lawns. All jobs that ordinary Americans won't touch!
For anyone who doubts this I recommend the two-year-old film: A Day without a Mexicans.
Bush has been trying to push for a guest worker programme, which would allow the millions of migrants, who toil illegally under the radar, to emerge into the daylight, claim some rights, get paid a little more, live free from fear and pay taxes. A no-brainer!
Remember, 80% of California's agriculture relies on migrant labour, most of it walked illegally across the border. Without them America's tomatoes, oranges and grapes would never get picked. Sixty percent of the US service industry is staffed by Mexicans.
Uncle Sam's bed would remain unmade if the administration moved to expel illegal aliens, as more and more members of the Republican Party are demanding. But opinion polls indicate that the "Kick 'em all out" rhetoric from Republicans and Democrats is working.
Last month the House passed a bill which would see 12-foot high (3.6-metre)walls built in the desert, thousands of extra border patrol agents deployed and the National Guard sent in to the border areas, without introducing a guest worker visa programme.
So, 80% of the aggies in the southern states are illegal mexican workers, who will work for less than US citizens and have no rights. Employers apparently are turning a blind eye, taking advantage of desperate people.
So, is this America's new slave labour?
Originally posted by scottishinnzDude, it has been America's slave labor for YEARS... not a new one.
From BBC News website.
[b]Day without Mexicans
Expect the next battle in which George is left to fend for himself in the jungle to focus on immigration reform. This is a pet project of the former governor from Texas.
He understands that the mountainous desert border is porous but that the United States cannot do without millions of illegal ...[text shortened]... nd eye, taking advantage of desperate people.
So, is this America's new slave labour?[/b]
Check these two small samples...
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1131/militarisation.html
http://www.laresistencia.org/
The Mexican government sucks and doing so 'pushes away' millions across the border, the U.S. government politically profits from racist propaganda (and keeps pouring money to the military industry), a lot of Americans unfortunately bite the racist hook, and business is profiting big time with the cheap MX labor.
Originally posted by scottishinnzScotty, Im trying to figure out which definition of "slave labour" you are using. Maybe you guys up there have a different English Language. Oh .. I know .. Its the Queens English !
So, is this America's new slave labour?
A man that risks life and limb to illegally enter a country to work for 5 times the salary available in their home country can hardly be called a slave.
A man that would hide from authorities and fight deportation and engage in illegal activities (like a fake marriage to a citizen) in order to stay in the host country can hardly be called a slave.
Why are you referring to mex labour as slave labour ?
Originally posted by Rajk999You forget that that salary, which is 5 times his previous one, is subsistent.
Scotty, Im trying to figure out which definition of "slave labour" you are using. Maybe you guys up there have a different English Language. Oh .. I know .. Its the Queens English !
A man that risks life and limb to illegally enter a country to work for 5 times the salary available in their home country can hardly be called a slave.
A man that would hide ...[text shortened]... country can hardly be called a slave.
Why are you referring to mex labour as slave labour ?
You forget that that they do not have the rights of a regular citizen. No healthcare, no social security number, etc... etc...
I do, however, agree that it is their choice to cross the border illegally. So. they should be sent back.
Originally posted by Rajk999Well, w.r.t. my ability in the use of English, I, at least, know the correct use of an apostrophy. "Up there" should possibly be "down there" as well.
Scotty, Im trying to figure out which definition of "slave labour" you are using. Maybe you guys up there have a different English Language. Oh .. I know .. Its the Queens English !
A man that risks life and limb to illegally enter a country to work for 5 times the salary available in their home country can hardly be called a slave.
A man that would hide ...[text shortened]... country can hardly be called a slave.
Why are you referring to mex labour as slave labour ?
Perhaps 'slave' is an incorrect use of the term; however I think definitions 2 and 3 from Answers.com are good enough:
"2 One who is abjectly subservient to a specified person or influence.
3 One who works extremely hard."
Our illegal immigrant (and I'm not defending that) comes into the US to make money for whatever reason, perhaps his child is ill and needs medicine, or he just plain wants to try and make a better life for him- (or her) self. The only work he can get is from an employer who, in defiance of the law, hires this chap then refuses to pay him a reasonable wage (let's face it, the US legal protection of workers rights is hardly exemplary) with the added incentive that he'll have our Mexican friend thrown out of the country or locked up if he doesn't comply.
Perhaps girls getting smuggled into the US to work in massage parlours by the Chinese Maffia aren't slaves either, huh?
Originally posted by TetsujinHe is there becuase his govt has failed to provide for him, and how can he have rights of a regular citizen when he is not one. As far as the social security system is concerned he does not exist.
You forget that that salary, which is 5 times his previous one, is subsistent.
You forget that that they do not have the rights of a regular citizen. No healthcare, no social security number, etc... etc...
I do, however, agree that it is their choice to cross the border illegally. So. they should be sent back.
Originally posted by scottishinnzI think most normal levelheaded people can spot a clear difference between girls smuggled against their will into prostitution etc, and an illegal immigrant voluntarily moving to greener pastures to better their lives. Can you?
Perhaps girls getting smuggled into the US to work in massage parlours by the Chinese Maffia aren't slaves either, huh?
Originally posted by scottishinnzThe immigrantmakes a rational decision to stay in the US, Mr Sharp. His 2 options are as follows ;
[b] The only work he can get is from an employer who, in defiance of the law, hires this chap then refuses to pay him a reasonable wage.
1. Stay in the US and work for $4.50 per hr, which with overtime will give him about $1400 per month. Out of that he will send $300 US back home to his hungry family.
2. Return to Mexico because of some pointless principle about medical and other benefits and work for $0.90 per hr and unable to feed his family who do not have medical bebefits in the first place.
He makes the wise choice . And in 5 years he is regularised and imports his family into the US. Would you rather the US open it borders ?