[Winona] Day Without Immigrants

[Glen Schumann]

The large assumption this makes is that the 40 or 50% increase in wages
would not put the land out of production as far as the products worked by
hand labor is concerned.  These acreages might go idle or into other
products because they could not be produced at a profit.  This could result
in shortages of certain products or substantial increases in imports.

 

Also, I believe some of these products are worked by hand because it is not
possible to handle them by machine.

 

Touching on comments by Bob Sebo in another post; if we are a land of laws,
our laws should be enforced.  My great grandfather came here in the late
19th century, legally.  Those who flout our laws demonstrate that they do
not deserve our respect.

 

A large part of this problem exists because Mexico is such a terrible place
for many of its citizens.  If that country were to become a land with even
modest prosperity and an honest government, the pressure on our border would
decline.  We might want to look at how to improve the situation in Mexico
for her people.

 

Glen Schumann

Winona, MN

 

gschuman at hbci.com

507.454.3056

 

www.hbci.com/~gschuman

 

  _____  

From: winona-bounces at mnforum.org [mailto:winona-bounces at mnforum.org] On
Behalf Of Phil Carlson
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 5:13 PM
To: winona at mnforum.org
Subject: RE: [Winona] Day Without Immigrants

 

To Bob Sebo's comments:  

 

Doing a little quick research related to farm labor, I find that hired labor
accounts for about 12% of farm costs.  "Farm value" - or the amount of
finished food cost paid to the farmer - is about 20% of every dollar we
spend of groceries (the rest is transportation, marketing, retail labor,
profit, etc.).  So, 12% 0f 20% - or about 2.4% - is the share of our food
dollar that goes to hired farm labor.  Labor costs could go up 50% and only
raise our grocery bill by a little over 1%.   I would welcome any more in
depth information.

 

Phil Carlson, Mpls

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