From: "John D. Giorgis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Immigration and Inequality Re: Race to the Bottom Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 22:35:02 -0500
At 07:10 PM 3/12/2004 -0800 Gautam Mukunda wrote: >I haven't analyzed it in detail, but from what I've >seen, I'm not impressed. It seems to me that there's >a real danger in his program of creating a permanent >class of guest workers - exactly the program that the >Europeans have tried and that has failed miserably for them.
I have a favorable reaction to it because I think it is a skillful balance of priniple and pragmatism for something that might actually be passed.
Ultimately, this policy achieves the following: -a basic recognition of the fact that our economic survival paradoxically is dependant upon an under-class of illegal immigrants we have created
This program will, if put into effect *create and inflate* that very underclass. We would wind up with a flood of illegal immigrants who would overstay their welcome when their permits have expired. Such an artificially created underclass of illegal, second class citizens has been unececessary until now. Why should we voluntarily burden our economy with one?
-a basic recognition that workers who can find jobs here should be welcomed
Do you really believe the current system unfairly blocks immigrants from working?
-and further, that these workers should be able to pass freely back to their home countries and to their jobs in the United States
That's just the point. They never want to go back. History has shown us time and time again that "temporary" guest workers become _permanent_ burdens. Look up the Swiss and French plans. Didn't the Germans also have a failed guest worker program? As with previous plans, the Bush plan provides _no_ enforcement to send these workers home when their permits expire. Establishing an efficient beauracracy (a contradiction in terms!) to track them all is completely and utterly unrealistic.
-and lastly, that these workers should be placed on the track towards citizenship and permanent residency, if they so desire.
I saw no provisions that would give guest workers an advantage or special consideration toward becoming a US citizen or even establishing permanent residence. Nothing was mentioned to this effect, nor was there a suggestion that the path to either be streamlined. Was this wishful thinking on your part or did I miss something?
Jon
Le Blog: http://zarq.livejournal.com
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