The Seeds we Sow

While this blog often shies away from political comment (well most of the time anyway), with everyone and their mother jumping on the immigration bashing band wagon, I just can't help myself.

One of the things our politicians have a hard time with is the law of unintended consequences. Every few years, and usually during an election cycle, our politicians decide that the minimum wage needs another boost. This is a great warm and fuzzy designed to curry favor with the electorate ... never mind that when it all shakes out, our free market system will level the playing field and in a few years and all the 'feel good' wears off.

OK ... now fast forward. ... Some industries compete in the world market(for example we now get much of our fruit and vegetables from Mexico). In order to compete, or to meet the demands and expectations of the American consumer, many industries must either automate or find a workforce willing to work harder and at competitive wages ... Note: not necessarily below minimum wage.

Years ago, my own children would sometimes pick strawberries during the summer for extra money. Since they were paid by the number of flats they picked, their earnings were predicated on how hard they were willing to work ... They had to work really hard to make any money. .... as soon as they were old enough, McDonald and Taco Bell became the employer of choice. Soon the growers in our area could no longer count on Youth Movement to get their crops in.

Migrant seasonal workers (most undocumented) quickly and happily took up the slack.

With the Government artificially managing the price of labor, The Law of Unintended Consequences took over and created vacuum that Mexican laborers were only too happy to fill.

So there you have it ... we now have 10 - 15 million immigrant workers in America because politicians like to feel good

..... Boomer


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