Greenspan Says Illegal Immigration Aids U.S. Economy

[scandal 951]

I was pondering the issue today and had a good laugh at the notion that 20, 30 or eventually 50 million illegal immigrants will not affect Americans. Not only is it insane, actually, it's moronic. Even when we factor in skilled blue collar workers and how harder it is for illegal aliens to take their jobs, other displaced Americans will have to compete with millions more Americans entering the skilled blue collar work force. That is, as a result of these same people not being able to work in positions now occupied by the millions of illegal immigrants who entered the country of the last 15 years. What do you think this sudden increase in blue collar workers will do for wages? Economics 101, drive them down. Rich win, por loose. Minorities lose even more.

Eventually more and more people will also go to college. Though, I can see that colleges and those in the industry have a good deal in this country. They are basically able to charge whatever they like and limit the supply, to their advantage. Effectively manipulating the market to keep their wages high while also ensuring their jobs are in demand, due to limited supply of course.

Now what I would like to propose, and effectively return the favor to white collar workers, is a change in the H1 visa quota. I propose an immediate increase to 3,000,000 a year, from the current 65,000. Yes, regardless of the current economy. As well as the removal of any rules or requirements that would prevent these international professionals from applying for work. Then after a number of years I challenge any scholar to come tell me that an additional 12 million or so white collar workers has not drastically suppressed wages and lowered living standards.

I have said this before and I will say it again, either the rest of the developed world is wrong (and stupid) to have so many tough rules on illegal aliens and immigration, as a whole, or the pro-illegal alien mob here has got it right. That doesn't need citation, just common sense and a bit of research. Human development index, quality of life, nominal GDP per capita. etc etc etc

Constellation - thanks for responding, and clearly showing an interest to have a civil and intelligent discussion. I really do appreciate that

I don't agree with you, quite obviously. We have different points of view.

Let me just point out one phrase you use repeatedly in your posts that I object to. You use the term "pro-illegal alien mob" above, and in your other posts.

I'm not sure who exactly you consider to be a member of that "mob" ( a somewhat pejorative term, but no matter...)

Do you include me? Or all those on VJ who don't agree with your views on immigration?

For the record, and I've already stated this several times in the past few days on different threads related to this topic:

I am NOT in favor of illegal immigration.

I am NOT in favor of any illegal behavior.

People should abide by the laws on the books. Everyone. All laws. Obama Cabinet secretaries should pay their taxes. And foreigners who do not have the right to enter the US but do so anyway should not be tolerated. We have laws on the books. They should be enforced. And there should be consequences for law breakers.

If for now other reason - it's bad to have a society where laws are on the books and blindly ignored by everyone - lawbreakers, police,courts. That just reinforces people's perceptions that the system is unfair, and if others get away with bad behavior they should too.

OK? So far so good?

Where we probably differ is about whether our existing laws are good laws. Do they really serve the country's best interests? Should we change the current laws and make better laws?

I am in favor of changing the laws. The current law is unnecessarily harsh on people who are trying to legitimately enter the country. This is VJ after all. I have a fiancee that I haven't seen in 10 months because of our immigration system. Darn right I want that changed! But we need comprehensive change to address ALL the broken aspects of our immigration system. If we enact sensible laws we may be able to get to the point where we don't have so many illegal immigrants that we need to slap down, as above. And that would be a good thing.

By the way... I'm still not sure if you were kidding earlier or not.... Canada is NOT in Europe. Canada is that really large land mass in North America, just over the 49th parallel from the USA.

Peace.

[rebeccajo 14]

You really think that 3,000,000 skilled workers would be chomping at the bit to come to America?

I mean - not EVERYBODY is clamoring to get in.

Edited May 5, 2009 by rebeccajo