Amnesty Will Destroy America

[chuck j]

Is this what we have come to ? Wish you luck . See you later .

[cb1000rider]

By your logic, California homes should be even cheaper than Texas homes, but we all know that's obviously not true. (California has far more illegals than Texas does.)

So lets qualify that. I know Texas real estate well. I don't know California real estate very well. Is it the home construction that costs so much or the piece of land that the construction sits on? If it's the land, my argument still holds value... So to be specific, I'm indicating that the cost of labor for construction is far less in the states with large illegal populations.

A combination of available land and lending regulations have kept housing prices comparatively low and helped Texas avoid the real estate depression that dragged down many other state economies.

So that indicates that it's the cost of land in California that's so expensive, not the labor rate...

The net effect on the economy of illegals (both contribution to and demand from) is essentially neutral.

I don't argue that point. I was merely pointing out that there is a significant contribution to the economy as well as a drag... There sure are lots of people screaming that illegals are dragging the economy down via typical political rhetoric and I hear very few arguments that address the reality of what they contribute to the economy. My point is simply - I've seen no valid quantification of net gain or net loss, but I guarantee that getting them all out and securing the border 98%+ will hit all of us in our pockets significantly...

There are places in the United States where illegal immigration has big effects (both positive and negative). But economists generally believe that when averaged over the whole economy, the effect is a small net positive. Harvard's George Borjas says the average American's wealth is increased by less than 1 percent because of illegal immigration.

Again, this supports my argument that the economic impact of illegals isn't a economic sink-hole.

Since the basis of your argument is so flawed, your solutions must be as well.

I'm not sure I follow you there... you and I are pretty in-line on the issues above. If you don't like my solution, I accept that... But it's a solution that addresses the needs of the majority and has an economic upside.

[equin]

...The bottom line is that there are some major political players that need the labor of illegals. Securing the border isn't in their best interest. They're farmers. They're home builders. Basically take your pick of any low-skilled labor field in the USA and it's in those businesses best interest to keep the illegal labor flowing. These interests fill the pockets of political campaigns and although no one wants to talk about it, it's the real reason why we're not doing anything other than token prosecutions of employers....

Exactly. Agree 100%.

[bagman45]

The problem is, if this mess passes, when "we" finally decide it's time to take our country back, "they" will be armed and fighting against "us". Call your Congressional Representatives NOW!!!! Even thought most of us on the forum are in Texas, our representatives need our contact statistics to help them fight the good fight!!

[Jumping Frog]

...The bottom line is that there are some major political players that need the labor of illegals. Securing the border isn't in their best interest. They're farmers. They're home builders. Basically take your pick of any low-skilled labor field in the USA and it's in those businesses best interest to keep the illegal labor flowing. These interests fill the pockets of political campaigns and although no one wants to talk about it, it's the real reason why we're not doing anything other than token prosecutions of employers....

Exactly. Agree 100%.

You have misquoted. I did not say that.

[cb1000rider]

The problem is, if this mess passes, when "we" finally decide it's time to take our country back, "they" will be armed and fighting against "us".

How is passing this bill or any other bill going to result in the arming of anyone?

[equin]

...The bottom line is that there are some major political players that need the labor of illegals. Securing the border isn't in their best interest. They're farmers. They're home builders. Basically take your pick of any low-skilled labor field in the USA and it's in those businesses best interest to keep the illegal labor flowing. These interests fill the pockets of political campaigns and although no one wants to talk about it, it's the real reason why we're not doing anything other than token prosecutions of employers....

Exactly. Agree 100%.

You have misquoted. I did not say that.

How did I misquote? I simply copied and pasted what you wrote, which I thought was a point very well taken.

[cb1000rider]

How did I misquote? I simply copied and pasted what you wrote, which I thought was a point very well taken.

You actually quoted me... Sometimes quotes within quotes get confusing and you have to edit....

[equin]

How did I misquote? I simply copied and pasted what you wrote, which I thought was a point very well taken.

You actually quoted me... Sometimes quotes within quotes get confusing and you have to edit....

Doh! My bad! Thanks for clarifying that, cb1000rider, and sorry, Jumpingfrog, for mistakenly attributing it to you.