Pravda Interview of Pat Buchanan

“And you don't even have the courage to use your own name.”

“Your mom named you solitary hiker?

Wild!”

“LOL @ both of ya!”

“The original settlers of Texas were Americans seeking cheap land. Mexico had laws forbidding Americans from squatting in Texas, but lacked the resources to enforce it. When the American squatters became numerous enough they broke away from Mexico.

Texas is a state founded by illegal immigrants.”

“I don't read so good, violin. I missed your coffee question. But here's the scoop: I drink one cup of coffee, five days a week.


Violin, let’s discuss Bush’s “guest worker” plan which you believe to be humanitarian.

In an article Philip L. Martin called “The Mirage of Mexican Guest Workers” in the November/December 2001 issue of Foreign Affairs, he states:


“Proponents of a new Mexico-U.S. temporary worker program often portray it as a legal and humane alternative to what has become a huge problem-the unauthorized mass migration of Mexicans to the United States. Such advocates seem blind, however, to the unequivocal lessons of history. Far from mitigating illegal migration, the two countries’ last major temporary worker program actually initiated and accelerated its flow.”

The author refers to the “bracero” program, which was initiated by F.D.R. in 1942.


He goes on to say:
“Guest worker programs create mutual dependency between employers and the migrants who work for them.”…”Employers naturally grow to depend on the supply of low-wage and compliant labor, relaxing their domestic recruitment efforts and adjusting their production methods to take advantage of the cheap labor. History has shown that in agriculture, a pool of cheap workers gives farm owners strong incentives to expand planting of labor intensive crops rather than investing in mechanized labor-saving equipment…”

Due to increased wages, the migrants have no incentive to return home.

Because many of the migrants send their money back to their families, this means more capital for Mexico. “…But the influx of cash drives up real estate prices, stimulates conspicuous consumption of imported goods, and is unevenly distributed.” Mexico also loses a large pool of its workers.

For the U.S., guest workers mean greater spending on social services. Many workers find a way to bring their families. This requires more government financed services such as education and health care.

“Admitting low-wage workers has historically unnaturally sustained industries with low productivity and wages. This causes the economy’s overall productivity and growth to suffer.”

Do you consider these consequences to be humane?”

“If you insist on posting so early it's time to up the caffeine intake arc. I said the Bush plan on amnesty for illegal aliens could be justified on humanitarian grounds.

I said I thought that guest worker policies have economic impacts on segments of society least able to compete. I think that is generally in agreement with Mr. Martin's article.

Although I haven't done any empirical research, I doubt that Mexico is suffering any labor shortage that is exacerbated by migrant farm workers, nor am I convinced that their meager earnings contribute to inflation in Mexico. As far as discouraging further mechanization of agriculture, I'd argue that the side effects of the industrial revolution have been particularly hard on unskilled labor and a slowing of mechanization, while lowering economic efficiency, does provide income to people who may not find employment elsewhere. I think that is humane.”

“Sorry dude, I'm an early riser.

I've heard some arguments about the humanitarian aspects of amnesty. But I am of the opinion that a precedent should not be set by awarding tax dollars to people who have broken the law to be here in the first place.

I also doubt that Mexico is suffering from a migrant farm worker exodus. But then, I haven't really researched the problem either.

I like your point about industrialization. Some friends and I support a local growers cooperative. It helps small local farms from being sold off for development.

The immigration issue is extremely complicated. Labor workers in the U.S. stand to be hurt by artificial market prices due to low wages paid to migrants. The Farm equipment maufacturing sector(and many of their subcontractors) stands to be hurt by less demand for their products. And the tax burden on U.S. citizens is always increased by a higher demand for social services. I think these humanitarian issues outweigh the issues of helping the Mexicans solve their problems. There are probably better humantiarian ways to help with Mexico's problem of an overabundance of unskilled workers.”

“"cuz bombast negates rational thought in our country"



That is sooooo beautiful!”