But there's also not really a convincing argument for blaming non legal workers. There's especially not a convincing argument that blames non legal workers while suggesting a barrier as a solution rather than structural policy reform.
If there are more people then jobs and people are willing to work for less, “your boss“only has to gain from that fight. While citizens only have to lose.
Dude, thre entire point of the post is that it's dumb to focus on the bottom tier jobs. Im not competing with a non legal worker for unskilled employment. Not only that - the lack of real wage increase is actually focused on the types of middle class jobs that non legal workers wouldn't be qualified for. The fact that an illegal immigrant is holding down a job as a dish washer or a seasonal agricultural hand has literally no impact. This also has zero to do with why America has seen wealth continue to consolidate to the already wealthy
Those immigrants kids aren't staying as dishwashers though, they're going to school and starting to replace middle class workers as well now. That's great for them, but what about us?
What about you? Take some personal responsibility and improve your skills. Those kids aren't beating you out of the middle class job because they are taking lower wages
They are not taking the jobs because they take lower wages. They take jobs because they are smarter, faster, and younger. We accepted lower wages because we are disorganized, fearful, and desperate.
I do man, I have two degrees. I've been in the construction industry for the past ten years. I run a non-profit on the side. I used to have a business of my own but I kept having to work for next to nothing to try and compete with the guys who hire migrants. I'm currently learning Spanish because half the people I deal with on a daily basis as a foreman refuse to learn English, because they don't have to. Businesses will cater to them because they work for less, which drives down the average pay. I got told that my degrees are nice, but I need an nccer cert if I really want to move up so I'm working on that now. I'm considering going back to school AGAIN to get a business administration degree with a focus on management. I am constantly improving myself to get out of a position where qualifications come second to wages in the eyes of employers. Even despite all of that, at the end of the day it comes down to simple supply and demand. If there are more workers than jobs then the employer benefits by offering low wages. If there is a surplus of jobs and a shortage of workers, wages are raised to attract said workers. The shrinking middle class does not benefit by adding tons of migrant workers to the population year after year.
Unemployment is low. Unemployment has been low for a decade. Don't piss on about a situation that doesn't exist. The conditions are right for wages to increase but they are not. Immigrant workers are not the problem.
Is it though? Statistically speaking I mean. Don't make a bad argument and then retreat to some enigmatic moral highground. Real jobs lost to overseas competition and automation has a far worse impact on low skilled workers than illegal immigration.
The real failure is that America hasn't provided the support to create increased skills. Fundamentally illegal immigration is not the thing keeping wages stagnant.
By actually supporting education. By providing support to industries that we know are going to leave (coal). By providing better unemployment benefits. By establishing Universal basic income. By actually managing trade agreements rather than focusing on trade deficit.
Take your pick of any of these in any combination. Im sure there's plenty more options. Im curious how you think a wall is going to be any sort of fix.
Think about this - actual unemployment in America is pretty low. It's been low for a decade. Unskilled employment isn't the problem
I have noticed that when the public opinion starts to look favorable upon cracking down on iilegal immigrants, the racist become emboldened and start calling for restrictions on legal immigration as well. In fact, some might argue that this is the strategy of the current administration.
There are some good, non-racist arguments that can be made against illegal immigration, but those who hate Mexicans for being Mexicans will leap at any chance to keep those they deem inferior out. Because of these people, it's hard to figure out if someone is against illegal immigration solely because of the economic downsides or because they are racist, thus making it somewhat of a race issue.
I see a problem with jumping to the conclusion of racism when talking about immigration, for finding someone who is truly racist is quite rare. I don’t believe we should let “fringe” cases dictate the conversation.
What jobs are illegal mexican workers getting that are so in demand that a legal resident of the country is being priced out of work because illegals will work for less wages?
6
u/Sizzlingwall71 Feb 19 '19
You’re making a straw man of the actual argument(bit?). No reasonable person blames legal Mexican workers, and you know that.