To Dunn wrote on Apr 15, 2007 8:28 PM:You bring up some good points. Better yet, why don't you allow the Mexicans to unionize and earn a decent wage ($80 a day with no benefits (for back breaking work) is pretty much criminal), or do you enjoy your big profits?

Skip wrote on Apr 15, 2007 8:30 PM:Don't let anyone fool you ,we have to pay for the Illegal Aliens somehow. The recently released Heritage Foundation Report states that "Overall, households headed by persons without a high school diploma (or low-skill households) received an average of $32,138 per household in direct benefits, means-tested benefits, education, and population-based ser­vices in FY 2004. If expenditures for interest and other financial obligations relating to past government activities are added to the count, expenditures rise to $36,989 per household. If the cost of public goods is added, annual total expenditures on benefits and services come to $43,084 per low-skill household." That is at least 3 to 4 times that the Illegals pay in Taxes (if any at all).

San Marcos Taxpayer wrote on Apr 15, 2007 8:56 PM:Mr. Dunn, you need to support a new Bracero program - not illegal immigration. What do you think about all of the illegals that got jobs at places like the meat processing plants that were raided by ICE and discovered many of these good people had stolen ID's and SSN's. I guess these illegals were causing no problems for anyone. You would think different if you had the problems that this will cause with the IRS and others. I feel that you are too forgiving because this situation eases your personal goals in life not the country's as a whole. Try getting a wider perspective and quit negating what others, like the Minutemen, are trying to accomplish.

Floyd wrote on Apr 15, 2007 9:22 PM:By golly, I think he's on to something here. Perhaps we should develop a special 'illegal alien' branch of 'Federal Prison Industries' (http://www.unicor.gov/ -- hey editor, it's a government site!), an agency that uses inmate labor to provide goods and services such as clothing, office furniture, industrial products, electronics (need some custom cables?), vehicle components, even 'help' desks for confused computer users! And it's such a simple plan -- all you have to do is arrest the illegal aliens and plug them in to the system! This would solve the problem of their unlawful presence in our country while simultaneously satisying those who claim we need them to do those jobs that Americans just won't do. This idea has the potential of being so successful that we could even advertise in Mexico -- 'break into the USA, get a job!'

Reardon wrote on Apr 15, 2007 9:47 PM:Workers? Yes! Worker's families? No! It is the families who join gangs, fill our schools costing taxpayers and slowing the education of young citizens, and bankrupt our medical services. Unaccompanied for two years, with a month in Mexico between years, would be no worse than many of our soldiers on unaccompanied tours. We may well need workers, we do not need the additional cost of their families -- unless the growers want to pick up the TOTAL cost!

Stealth Blogger wrote on Apr 16, 2007 2:13 AM:Robert H. Dunn has penned a compassionate, thoughtful commentary. His reward: 100+ responses from vigilante-racists, seething with hatred and selfishness! No good deed goes unpunished in North County!! Instead of subjecting us to your blather, take a day off and go volunteer anywhere!!! You offer no solutions, only condemnation!!!!

Ray wrote on Apr 16, 2007 3:56 AM:Robert... If you believe that, I got some swamp land for sale. I too live in Fallbrook and see how you growers exploit for profit living on your hilltop homes while we here in the lower parts of Fallbrook pay the price. When was the last time you were downtown or do you shop in Temecula?

illegalisnotarace wrote on Apr 16, 2007 5:23 AM:Farm wages have not risen since 1973.

Cost wrote on Apr 16, 2007 5:24 AM:How much does it cost the tax payers to subsidize your cheap labor?

Taxpayer wrote on Apr 16, 2007 5:33 AM:Yes, Mr. Dunn, they DO NOT want to stay here! They do not want to contribute to this country! They want to take, take, take. The last thing they want to do is WASTE their money on things like car insurance to protect themselves and us when they have an accident! They do not want to waste their money on things like health insurance so we, the legal taxpayers and legally insured, do not have our taxes and health care costs go up! Yes, let's open the borders! And, of course, the last thing is the Mexcican government doesn't want anything to do with your proposal because then they would have to allow us to go down there and own property and start businesses etc... They would rather have their citzens sending home the billions of dollars they do each year to prop up their economy! Great idea but terribly naive!!!!

Ron wrote on Apr 16, 2007 5:49 AM:You are absolutely right “Some legal provision must be made for the Mexican worker.” We do need a guest worker program that allows for legal entry for guest workers. It needs to be a fair program that not only allows for entry of these workers on a limited and specific basis but also requires the employers to make these jobs competitive for United States workers. You see Mr. Dunn you are able to winter in Cabo San Lucas because of the wages you paid your slave labor. Had you wages and benefits been within the standards expected by U.S. workers then more would be doing your “back breaking” labor which brings up another point about not only you but your industry. Why should there be heavy lifting and forty foot ladders with today’s technology. Other forms of agriculture have developed technologies that reduce the “back breaking” tasks and reduce the need for large labor forces. Why haven’t you? Is it because it cheaper for you to hire a Mexican at slave labor wages with no benefits than to invest in technology? I think so. If you did you might not be able to winter in Cabo San Lucas with your Mexican friends. Yes Mr. Dunn we do need to spend our money on proper identification of people, but we also need to spend our money on secure borders. Comparing our borders with European borders is ridiculous. The United States and Mexico do not share the same relationships that the European countries do. They do not have to deal with a third world disgrace such as Mexico as the United States does. Opening the border would only open a flood gate of refuges that would the United States would be incapable of absorbing; particularly our welfare, education, and health care systems. I’ll agree that these people should not be constantly harassed by the Minutemen. The Minutemen should be constantly harassing illegal employers such as yourself that thumb your nose at the United States, our laws, and our citizens. Maybe these Mexican people are warm, loving people. Maybe these warm, loving people Mexican people need to get a hold of their own country and make it a livable place for them before they come here and turn our country into the disgrace theirs is. Give them a break Mr. Dunn? Give us a break and get some respect for our country and our citizens.

mariana f wrote on Apr 16, 2007 6:25 AM:robert, reading your articule , it really touched me cause i know many people with the same opinion you have . mii family are mostly yardworkers but have to do the same back breaking work every body has to do !! it really isnt fair cause in mii eyes everybody is an immigrant . i was told that america was a melting pot with many differant races and cultures so we should be allowed to be here too!!!

mr. dunn wrote on Apr 16, 2007 6:47 AM:It appears you have an a selfish self interest here. We have a guest worker program now. The 20+ people in the house next door to me, with their umpteen cars all over the place, music blaring at all hours are not here to pick your fruit. They sell drugs, and I'm sure commit other crimes in addition to ID theft, income tax evasion etc. When it affects you as it does me you will have a different opinion.

To Robert wrote on Apr 16, 2007 7:09 AM:You are the problem here! If they get sick they must use our hospitals? Why weren't you taking out workers comp? You need to be reported to all of the approriate agencies, I am just glad you gave all of us your name!

You are a fool wrote on Apr 16, 2007 7:13 AM:In Europe they are tightening their borders. What Europe are you talking about? Maybe you meant Russia or China or maybe you meant North and South Korea.

Do the math... wrote on Apr 16, 2007 7:37 AM:Cost of a passport=$5,000 (legal) Cost of a coyote= $3,000 (illegal) Savings at entry= $1,500

Margaret wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:08 AM:Mr. Dunn, Your point is very self serving. Yes, they are good loving people but should still remain in their own country and obey our immigration laws. If you can't find legals to pick your avocados then find a new business.

Unreal! wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:12 AM:I can not believe this is serious! First, how many illegals do we need to pick avocados. The writer appears to argue that we need new illegals to do the work that long-time illegal won't do! Second, coyotes prevent injured illegals from seeking medical attention in Mexico? Sounds like no worker's compensation for the injured workers! Third, illegals must work 38 days to pay the coyotes. It sounds like a complaint about high coyote prices!? Fourth, Mexicans can easily obtain a 'laser visa' for $100 that is good for 10 years ($13 for children). The laser visa allows them to visit for business or pleasure within 25 miles of the border. Further distances require an I-94 ($6). Only Mexicans who cannot show sufficient ties to Mexico to indicate they will return cannot get a laser visa. Fifth, agricultural employers can hire temporary Mexican agricultural workers under H-2A visas. Sixth, most European countries still have border checkpoints. There are no border checkpoints between California & Arizona. So what!? Seventh, good fences make good neighbors!

Hmmmmm wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:22 AM:Sounds to me like Mr. Dunn has been part of the problem. An employer hiring illegals so as to benefit from low labor costs at the expense of we taxpayers. Hope you enjoy your nice vacations, Mr Dunn.

Joe Inventor wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:24 AM:I have an idea. Provide each worker with a boom lift (or hydraladder). A boom lift consists of a bucket at the end of a hydraulic lifting system, usually mounted on the back of a stand-alone trailer, motorized base, or a truck (a bucket truck). Allow the workers to place the heavy fruit in bags or bins supported by the boom lift. Tranfer the picked fruit bags to motorized carts for removal from the groves. Implement safety training and procedures. In other words, provide an AMERICAN work environment!

pablo wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:33 AM:Mr. Dunn, you sir are the poster child of everything wrong with bringing in poor Mexicans to be exploited as slave laborers.

Olivenhain Dam wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:34 AM:I'm glad Mr. Dunn did not win the contract to build Olivenhain Dam. He would have went out and purchased 40,000 shovels, buckets, and a few dozen wheelbarrows. Then he would have cried that he did not have enough Mexican workers to do the 'backbreaking heavy work that the migrant laborers do so well'. Farmers should modernize their harvest operations. Only a dingbat would break a worker's back in this age of modern machines and technology.

AEQUITAS wrote on Apr 16, 2007 9:00 AM:A great commentary Mr. Dunn and "Stealth Blogger" has it absolutely right! I think that probably most of the people foaming at the mouth about "illegal" immigrants are retirees living in trailer parks. In other words, people who don't know what they are talking about and who have had little or no real contact with the immigrants.

Two Sides to the Coin wrote on Apr 16, 2007 9:43 AM:It seems very sad to me that the farmer, construction industry, meat packing business and other corporations tout the benefits of using illegal labor to make profits and reward their shareholders. It is as if they are trying to convince the American people that we NEED an exploited, underpaid, unprotected class of workers to keep the American economy afloat with cheap goods and food. We've always had this class of people. First it was the slaves in the South picking cotton. Then it was prision labor on chain gangs. Of course, we used Chinese imported labor to build our expansive railways. Isn't it time to admit to ourselves that the continued use of such labor is inhumane, anthical to Democracy and costly to everyone other than the ones who profit from it?

El Guero wrote on Apr 16, 2007 10:31 AM:How many of these 'warm, loving people' is Mr Dunn prepared to subsidize out of his own pocket? How many does he expect those of us who do not rely on illegal (or legal) 'nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners' to subsidize through our tax dollars? Is the sky the limit? I agree that most of these people prefer to live in Mexico. But that doesn't stop millions of them who crossed the border illegally from staying and raising families here--families that they can't afford to care for without substantial government help in all forms. So if everyone's agreed that we 'need' migrant agricultural workers, let's be practical (and fair) about it by eliminating birthright citizenship for the children of illegals, by insisting on only temporary residence status for all guest workers, and by restricting employment to only those migrant workers in the agricultural industry. Everyone else must go home. Or go live with Mr. Compassion himself: Stealth Blogger.

American woman wrote on Apr 16, 2007 10:43 AM:Mr. Avocado man: (1) The Bracero Program of many years ago, if modified, just might be implemented successfully. The workers would have to leave their families at home (in Mexico, for instant), and if both parents harvest crops, husband and wife would have to work separately unless we can rescind the birthright citizenship provision included in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Housing, medical care and transportation would have to be provided by the employer. (2) The men we object to, who stand on our streets soliciting work do not want field jobs. They are mostly construction workers and gardening/odd-jobbers. Our own legal population can handle those jobs, so yours is a moot point. There are plenty of legitimate employment agencies available for legal workers to register for work. (3) I hate to pop your rose-colored bubble, Mr. Avocado man, but you are living in a fantasyland if you believe that Mexican illegal aliens want to go home after "visiting!" Please! Don't insult us further with these fairy tales. There has to be control at our borders and ports of entry. Between the fact that we have plenty of Americans to do the work, and the high risk of terrorist infiltration, we want our borders secured. Period. End of story.

ruby wrote on Apr 16, 2007 12:16 PM:Ther's enough illegal's here to pick fruit. So you business men can have cheap laborrrrrrrr. If you feel so bad for them...... Pay them more......They seem to think this country owes them. They broke our laws and didn't care. So return to sender to all of them. Enough gangs, crimes,sex offender's, hit and runs..........Keep them in Mexico with you. Tha's why your in Mexico. All the profit you made from them.

For marianas info wrote on Apr 16, 2007 12:18 PM:Yes Mariana we understand most of your family and the families of illegal wirkers do yardwork and other low skill jobs. That is the problem ,why does California have to have open borders for Mexico? Lets face it we say illegal hispanics in reality it is open border for Mexico to dump their low-skilled, undereducated masses. It would be alright if we got Mexico's rich or even middle class coming to the U.S. Just found out the second richest man in the world Carlos Slim is Mexican. Instead of exploiting his own people he should be paying his people more in salaries to raise their standard of living. Mexican poor, Your country is ruled by the rich elitist families that purposely want to keep you unedcuacted and poor and coming to America. They would rather American citizens pay for Mexico's poor than themselves paying. Viva revolucion overthrow your elitist families and get a true democracy that represents all the people of Mexico not just Carlos Slim and his rich mexican buddies.

Singer wrote on Apr 16, 2007 12:43 PM:Mr. Dunn, your "warm, loving people" are causing my insurance, taxes and other costs to go up, just so YOU (and those like you) can hire them at ridiculous wages. They get in accidents and then leave the scene because they are here illegally. Many of them are "warm, loving" drug dealers, gang bangers, pimps and the like. Let them come here LEGALLY, or not at all. But, then, if they WERE here LEGALLY, you wouldn't be able to take advantage of them, now, would you!! As for the Minutemen, they are simply trying to keep our borders (such as they are) closed to smugglers and such - which our Federal Government SHOULD be doing. They are within their constitutional rights - the illegals are not victims; they are ILLEGAL TRESPASSERS. You say yourself that they don't want to move here, just to work here and then go home - they are doing NOTHING for our country! They are parasites - and those who hire them are parasites. Your assertion doesn't hold up - sorry!!

Roberto wrote on Apr 16, 2007 12:47 PM:Well, Mr. Dunn, Stealth Blogger, AEQUITAS are the typical illegal immigrant puppies that are going to be the down fall of the United States.

What Mr. Dunn wrote on Apr 16, 2007 1:08 PM:and others in business and politics fail to understand is that if this turns into a civil war. Not all of us are going to be looting the local target stores. Alot of us will be making sure no one leaves the country by plane or boat while others storm the mansions on the hills. I really don't think it is worth it, do you?

Business owners that cheat the system wrote on Apr 16, 2007 1:28 PM:First of all no one needs to pay coyotes anything to come into this country illegally. If there truly are workers needed there is a legal way to get them already. According to Lou Dobbs there is a total of 2 million legal immigrants coming into this country legally each and every year. This country needs to deal with illegal immigration by securing the borders and enforcing immigration law. Fix the system so you can track overstayed visas and go after these businesses that are finding it so easy to break the law by hiring illegal labor. How many of these businesses are claiming on their taxes that they only pay a day laborer up to $600 a year so they can use them as a write off but not have to pay in taxes for them. How many of you are paying day laborers cash under the table and are part of the problem instead of the solution? How many of you complain about the traffic and/or illegal population but hire them anyway?

you just have to love it wrote on Apr 16, 2007 1:37 PM:Truckers will be circling the White House and other state capital buildings next week in protest of Bush wanting to bring in mexican truckers with bald tires! And with the other protesters in Washington next week this will bring some attention to how angry the American people are on illegal aliens!

To AEQUITAS wrote on Apr 16, 2007 1:39 PM:Hey, AEQUITAS....You wrote, " I think that probably most of the people foaming at the mouth about "illegal" immigrants are retirees living in trailer parks. In other words, people who don't know what they are talking about and who have had little or no real contact with the immigrants." Hmm...I DO believe that it is YOU, dear AEQUITAS, who doesn't know what you're talking about considering that (a) I'm sure most here aren't even close to retirement or (b) don't live in trailer parks, and (c) yes, we have pretty much DAILY contact with immigrants both legal & ILLEGAL. This is all you've GOT? (I wish they had a "rolling eyes" icon...)

juancarlos wrote on Apr 16, 2007 1:51 PM:Open borders goes both ways. Does Mr. Dunn really believe that either Mexico or Canada would allow open borders for people to enter their countries without question? Open borders are two-way streets.

To AEQUITAS wrote on Apr 16, 2007 2:12 PM:Where do you live? Obviously you think illegals should have a right to all in our country then you should have no problem having me come to your house & take what I want. If you want us to give up our country then you should have no problem letting people come over & take what theyu want, speend months or weeks there & if I get hurt you can cover my expenses. Se the problem with people like AEQUITAS is that they are 2nd generation from Amnisty in the 90's. They have no respect for the US same as thier parents. He only wants what helps Mexicans NOT Americans. And that it seems is the whole problem. Everyones ancestors came from somewhere else, they just WANTED to be AmMericans while illegals what to try to bring our country down to a 3rd world status so they can feel at home.

DMann wrote on Apr 16, 2007 2:16 PM:Mexico is a broken corrupt system, but instead of fixing thier own country they instead want to invade, & yes 15 million is an invasion, to leetch of us, closing already many medical facilities & lowering the standard of life for the average American. Plus illegals kill on average 12 American citicens a day, twice 9-11, and both the Iraq & Afgan wars. Good job Bush, sell out AMerica to a third world country

to Mr Dunn..Civil War? wrote on Apr 16, 2007 2:20 PM:Reminds me of a joke. There is a white guy, an indian, and a mexican at a bar. The White guys says "Ya know, when we came here we were few, now we are many!" and drinks his beer. The Indian then says "When you came, we were many, now we are few." then drinks his drink. Finally the mexican says"Before we invaded we were few in this country, now we are many!" Then the white guy interups & says "We just havent finished playing Cowboys & mexicans yet!"

What? wrote on Apr 16, 2007 2:38 PM:Mr. Dunn, I bet George Bush loves you. Did he help you write this article? Warm, loving people don't steal from America!

AEQUITAS wrote on Apr 16, 2007 3:24 PM:It really doesn't matter what the rabid, racist, hysterical, ranting lynch mob whackos want. It really doesn't. AMNESTY, LEGALIZATION and THE NORTH AMERICAN UNION are on the way folks. No doubt about it! Oh, the same rabble rousers will yowl and howl that that won't happen. But folks, these are the same unimportant yo yos that said the same thing about NAFTA (NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT) before it was adopted. Adopted it was ~ in 1994 ~ and it's helped propel our economy to heights unknown. Unemployment rate now around 4.5% (historic low) and the Dow approaching 13,000 (historic high). No economist of any stature would advocate against the globalization of the economy nor be in favor of some isolationist policy that would throw us back into the stone age.

AEQUITAS wrote on Apr 16, 2007 3:32 PM:And just to add that we are already a member of the Organization of American States (35 members). The OAS is a logical precursor of the North American Union and anybody that knows anything about it will agree. Then the rabble rousers will be fresh out of an issue to pounce on ~ like "illegal" immigration. Uuuuuhhhhhhh. Shudder, shudder. Maybe next for them would be something like the horrors that will occur if we have "gun control." Uuuuuhhhh. Shudder, shudder. Hey Mabel, what's our space rent now hunny?

two percent love it wrote on Apr 16, 2007 3:46 PM:I'll bet Tina J and those like her (some posted above) who can't comprehend the difference between legal and illegal, law and oulaw, right and wrong, American and anti-American just love articles like this one written by Robert Dunn.

Reardon wrote on Apr 16, 2007 4:11 PM:People who break into our country; steal money from the hard-working taxpayers; put their children through schools on other people’s money; get their and their family’s medical care by using other people’s money; drive without licenses and insurance costing other people money; and steal identities – they must hate the people they use and from whom they steal. Yes, they are only trying to help their families out of poverty – but that is the claim made by bank robbers and second-story men everywhere. The world is filled with people who wish to live on other people’s money. You really can’t love people if you steal from them!

Aequitas grow up wrote on Apr 16, 2007 4:20 PM:Aequitas is playing the race card. He obviously isn't even a Mexican. He sounds like a businessmen who has been reaping profits by hiring illegals, because the average illegal immigrant or even naturalized Mexican immigrant doesn't know the info he talks about. Confuse the issure by using your little phony Mexican name. You are representing the interests of the businessmen whose mantra is profits at any cost and ruin the quality of life for American citizens and those citizens who played by the rules. We have a name for people like you Aequits as you sell our country out. TRAITOR

Aequitas wrote on Apr 16, 2007 5:55 PM:is right. We will have open borders with the Mexicans and the Canadians. El Presidente Bush and his cabinet are well on the way of signing all of the agreements through the SPP. By 2025 the United States as we know it that so many have fought and died for will be a thing of the past. Th North American Union will ensure that the United States and Canada pumps trillions of dollars into Mexico to prop up it's useless economy and government. The citizens of the northern countries or should we say states will be paying more for every Mexican than we ever would think of today. The North American Corridor will be the highway of commerce, drugs, and human traffic. The United States and Canada will be reduced to welfare states greater than the great depression. He (or she) is right. If you don't believe it is not here then I suggest you do three things. First read about all the traitorous acts of the administration on the SPP.gov site. Next write or call you representatives and ask them about it. You will not get a response of any kind regardless of party. Then write to the editor of this newspaper (or any other left wing news media). He will forward you to an editor who says she has never heard of it. Yet it has been mentioned in letters to the editor quite a few times. There are people in Canada who are just as against it as citizens in the United States are but they too are being ignored by the government and the media. The worst part is that this will destroy the middle class and the only future for our kids and grandkids will be one of poverty, corruption, and death. Aequitas is right. We are stuck with it because we are not willing to fight our government, our politicians, and the corporations that sponsor it.

Skip wrote on Apr 16, 2007 6:23 PM:LET'S DO A POLL : A poll released this week shows most Californians view illegal immigration as a serious probem but still believe that those who have been in the country for "many years" should be legalized. More than 4 out of 5 people who responded to the survey said that programs should be set up so that long-time illegal immigrants can become citizens, if they "have a job, learned English and paid back taxes." http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/11/news/top_stories/1_33_114_10_07.txt

Skip It wrote on Apr 16, 2007 7:31 PM:Why should someone who has broken all the rules be rewarded? You are way off base! Your willingness to give into criminals is criminal. Let's put some Mexicans using the system and renting their houses with multiple families next to you. Grow up Skip. Your liberalism is part of the problem. Do you want to be Mexico with all its corruption? Defend this invasion. Viva la Raza Skip!

Roman, not Mexican wrote on Apr 16, 2007 7:40 PM:In Roman mythology, Aequitas, also known as Aecetia, was the goddess of fair trade and honest merchants. Like Abundantia, she is depicted with a cornucopia, representing wealth from commerce. She is also shown holding a balance, representing equity and fairness. During the Roman Empire, Aequitas was sometimes worshipped as a quality or aspect of the emperor, under the name Aequitas Augusti. Aequitas is the source of the word equity, and also means 'equality' or 'justice'. In modern California, AEQUITAS should represent businesses that do not violate Federal Laws by hiring illegal aliens. That is why the AEQUITAS 9 AM and 3:32 PM is a poor counterfeit of the mythical Roman figure of HONESTY!

Skip wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:24 PM:LOL that is the first time I have ever been called a Liberal. Please see my earlier post " Skip wrote on April 15, 2007 8:30 PM ". I was trying to be sarcastic.

AmercianLabor wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:51 PM:The entire argument to keep illegals in this country because we can't find Americans to do the jobs they do is insane. There are plenty of unemployed Americans who will do the work, if the employers offered the work to Americans. You can't force employers to hire Americans if they all they want is illegal aliens. Moreover, there are thousands of bored teens who would pick avocados. It's just a matter of organizing the labor so they know where and when to apply for these jobs before the illegals do.

To AmericanLabor wrote on Apr 17, 2007 5:53 AM:This is a quote from Sen Feinstein when questioned about her AgJOBS Bill that will provide amnesty to illegal aliens in the agricultural sector: “The California Farm Bureau reports labor shortages as high as 30% and as a result, crops have been left un-harvested. The fact is that many Americans refuse to do this work and in fact, a couple of years ago, I asked my staff to file advertisements with welfare employment offices throughout the state of California. Despite such efforts, no American workers ended up responding. AgJOBS provides a bi-partisan solution to this ongoing problem.” When questioned about whether the postings were listed at unemployment offices, newspapers, and web based job sites…she had no response. When questioned if the listings included fair, competitive wages and benefits commensurate with the standards expected by United States citizens…she had no response. The bottom line is that the Agricultural Sector is content with their slave labor force that they do not have to pay competitive wages, do not have to provide benefits for, that they only pay enough taxes on to suit their own purposes, and that they does not require them to invest in technologies that reduce the need for a huge labor force. In order to do that they do not want United States citizens in their work force and since they do not want the U.S. labor force, then the Senators and other legislature types that they contribute so much to do not either. The corporations, business sectors, and the politicians they support do not care about the United States or the futures of our children and grandchildren. (Even Grandma Pelosi) All they care about is the lining of their own pockets. He sad thing is that the liberals are willing to aid and abet them.

El Guero wrote on Apr 17, 2007 8:34 AM:AEQUITAS says that NAFTA has 'helped propel our economy to heights unknown' with an unemployment rate around 4.5% and the Dow approaching 13,000. But if current trade and immigration policy are such a blessing, what would account for headlines such as 'Census shows more people living below poverty level'; 'Income gap in U.S. continues to widen'; 'Ranks of poverty, uninsured rose in 2006'; 'Stock market boom is a bust for most'? For AEQUITAS I guess the glass is a quarter full rather than three-quarters empty.

Marie wrote on May 24, 2007 9:03 AM:illegal immigrtion