I was watching Kansas City Week in Review this morning on PBS, and they had a fiery roundtable on illegal immigration. Most of the talk was pretty emotionally charged, but an interesting comment came out of one Kris Kobach, the most recent loser in our 3rd District race to Congressman Dennis Moore.
He mentioned that the arguments currently being made by business (take away our cheap hispanic labor and the economy will collapse) is the same argument that was made in the mid 19th century by plantation owners (take away our cheap labor/slaves and the economy will collapse). So the question is: How necessary is this labor (cheap or underpaid labor) to the backbone of our economy, since we have proven over time that slavery was not necessary to the 19th/20th century economy?
I thought the economy of the South did collapse after the elimination of slavery.
ReplyDeleteBut even so, I doubt the effect would be so profound with the elimination of illegal immigration. (Evidence omitted!)
Then again, even if the elimination of illegal workers would cause no great economic upheval, I'm still not convinced Americans need be so insulated from competition.
But then, I guess as long as we have certain laws, might as well enforce them.
Guess I'm conflicted.
The economy of the South collapsed due to their entry into war with the North. The South's economy was clearly not the best choice for its citizens or else the South would have won the war.
ReplyDeleteYour point is taken, though, Thomas. The transition of the Southern economy from chattel slavery to (at least some semblance of) emancipation was neither short nor easy. I suppose one might suggest enforcement of immigration/employment laws on both the immigrant and the employer (both are breaking the law after all).