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Oh AZ!
Oh poor Arizona. They have been having one heck of a year. They close down the state fire program. It looks like they are creating a plan though to put something in place. Now they are dealing with this illegal immigration issue.
I am just curious about what are brothers and sisters in this service think and feel about this? I have read the law and it is pretty clear to me. Hey what do I know, I'm not attorney but I have stayed in quite a few Holiday Inns.
So brothers and sisters in AZ, what kind of impact do you think this will bring to your state. I am just tossing this out there for some of the admin peeps, with all this "ban Arizona" BS going on do you think the Federal Government is going to hop on board and start pulling and stopping federal dollars to you and your agencies? (i.e. SAFER,AFG, and other grant programs.)
I just want to toss this out there to ponder on. We have been taught for so many years that the Civil War was the war that ended slavery. This is very true, and am greatful that slavery was abolished. BUT, the big picture of the Civil War was about states rights. Was this the turning point? Was this where federal government earned the "right" to trump the state. Now I know the 14th Amendment and it was written post Civil War. But what are the feelings of the people that live and serve in beautiful Arizona?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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Unemployment was at 9.5% in April.
Give people a reasonable wage and reasonable benefits and they will go back to work. Take away prolonged unemployment benefits, and they will take any job.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Except those really low paying, back breaking, 12 hour a day ones that the illegal immigrants tend to take. It's what keeps our fruit, vegetable and produce prices low and available year round.
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Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
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I'll pay more for my fruit and veggies if that's the trade-off.
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I'm with you on that WP. Problem is, how many other people would be? But then again, given the super sizing of america I suspect that vegetables don't play a significant part in the american diet. Be funny if most of the fruits, vegetables and produce were consumed mainly by rich liberal americans and illegal immigrant workers.
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I have no idea if them asses - I mean, the masses - would be with us on that, but I think even they would eventually see the light of day.
I thought all the rich people were those greedy conservatives?
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I think once you reach "rich" liberal/conservative has much less meaning.
Maybe if everyone got on board with higher wages for produce it would help eliminate the illegal problem.
Next thing, boycott stores like walmart etc that import cheaply made goods from china instead of paying americans to make them...oh maybe not, that means more expensive clothes.
Could only do business with local lumber yards and hardware stores, support your local economy rather than the big box home centers...but then, we're talking cheap (foreign) goods at a cheap price. Boy this is NOT going to be easy getting americans to support american products AND labor.
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The "higher wages for produce" angle might eventually help but, in the meantime, secure the border and actually enforce existing immigration laws. That will have an immediate effect.
The international trade agreements and competition with cheap foreign labor are different and more complicated matters.
One step at a time.
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How much does labor play a role in the production? Brokers, Supermarkets, Transportation, and other business expenses account for the majority of the cost. I have been looking for hard facts on the numbers but I am unable to return any.
Here are some quick numbers. In my neck of the woods, migrant workers do most of the broccoli work. I can buy this in the supermarket for $1.49 / pound. A worker can harvest 2 pounds 20 + times a minute, or 1200 pounds an hour. Let us assume that other tasks including wrapping and pre-harvest work account for a 3:1 ratio of non-profitable work to profitable work. So a worker puts in 4 hours work for every 1200 pounds of broccoli, or 300 pounds for every hour of work. A 5 cent increase in price would yield a $15 increase in available wages.
Certainly this would entice people back to work. Would they see all of this money, of course not. I just want to show that the "low cost of produce" argument is an exaggerated truth brought to you by big business.
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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
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I salute Arizona for what they have done. Our so called government should of handled these issues long ago, but we all know it's about the votes come election time! The sad part about the situation is that Arizona could face cut backs from the government, is it right, no it's not!
Stay strong Arizona!!
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Jack, I do this every day. I will go 5 miles out of my way to buy American at a higher price. But then again I am just helping the kids of the OPEC sheikhs get new shoes!
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I'm not sure your numbers are matching in terms of hourly production but regardless, agribusiness is profitable on a volume basis. Pre-harvest costs are probably much lower in terms of labor but more reliant on a few people using expensive (and fuel guzzling) machinery. Everything up to and including the actual harvesting is figured into the final wholesale price/lb.
Since every business is entitled to not only cover all expenses (overhead including wages and bonuses) but to make a profit as well, this all has to be figured in to determine the final cost of the broccoli (for example) not to mention the mark up by the retailer.
Illegal workers are unoffical subsidies, as opposed to legal agricultural subsidies that keep prices down. Milk is relatively inexpensive due to milk subsidies.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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Here are some pretty good thoughts on the topic from a recent post in my local newspaper...
"You break into my house, I tell you to leave, but you say no, you've made the bed, done the dishes and all the jobs I don't like to do.
You say you're hard-working and honest (except when you broke into my house) and say your husband will do my yard work. (He is hard-working and honest, too.)
According to recent protesters, I am required to let you stay in my house, feed you, add you to my insurance, educate your kids and provide other benefits to your family.
If I try to call the police or force you out, you will picket and call me a racist. It's only fair because I have a nicer house and you're just trying to better yourself.
And what a deal it is for you. You live in my house, contributing only a fraction of your keep, and there is nothing I can do about it without being accused of cold, selfish, bigoted behavior. And you demand I learn your language. "
Richard J. Dolan
Hilton Head Island
From the Island Packet letters to the editor
5-13-10
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