Question about the economy.

[mrsklamc]

I've been wondering something about the economy for a while now, but I have been hesitant to post here because it might be a touchy subject, so let's keep it civil, folks.

I have had contact with many immigrants, legal and not legal. The vast majority of them do not come here to live it up. They work their tails off and send that money to their home countries, to support their families there. I'm wondering if this has contributed in any major way to the current economic crisis. Seems like continually sending money out of the country would hurt over time?

I think a far bigger problem is people who can't tell the difference between a 'want' and a 'need,' but, I'm just curious.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I think that the want vs. need people are a much, much bigger problem than immigrants who work hard and send money out of the country. Frankly, I'm not worried about that aspect of the immigrant issue causing problems for the economy. I'm worried that so many of these immigrants work low-wage, no benefit jobs and then end up getting hospital care on everyone else's dime when they get sick. That costs lots of $$ in higher charges to everyone else, resulting ultimately in higher insurance premiums across the board. That is of more economic concern than where the immigrants send/spend their wages IMHO.

 

[Aliceacc]

I think that the want vs. need people are a much, much bigger problem than immigrants who work hard and send money out of the country. Frankly, I'm not worried about that aspect of the immigrant issue causing problems for the economy. I'm worried that so many of these immigrants work low-wage, no benefit jobs and then end up getting hospital care on everyone else's dime when they get sick. That costs lots of $$ in higher charges to everyone else, resulting ultimately in higher insurance premiums across the board. That is of more economic concern than where the immigrants send/spend their wages IMHO.

I agree.

Illegal immigrants sending money back home don't effect the economy any more than American tourists abroad would be if they spent the same money.

But the other implications of illegal immigration-- insurance, the cost of educating their kids when they're not paying taxes, and just the conditions under which so many live-- these things are troubling.

 

[Jordans_Mommie]

I think that businesses sending jobs out of the country has a much bigger impact on the economy than immigrants working here and sending money home. Manufacturing jobs were some of the first to go, and now many entry level and administrative jobs are going as well.

Most major companies are investing heavily in global outsourcing, especially in the areas of customer service and IT. It is a win-win for the companies as they can pay those employees 1/4 of what it would cost to fill that same position in the US.

 

[Pigeon]

I look at the economics literature on a daily basis. Study after study shows that immigrants have a net positive effect on the economy.

 

[Aliceacc]

Legal immigrants or all immigrants?

 

[EthansMom]

I think that the want vs. need people are a much, much bigger problem than immigrants who work hard and send money out of the country. Frankly, I'm not worried about that aspect of the immigrant issue causing problems for the economy. I'm worried that so many of these immigrants work low-wage, no benefit jobs and then end up getting hospital care on everyone else's dime when they get sick. That costs lots of $$ in higher charges to everyone else, resulting ultimately in higher insurance premiums across the board. That is of more economic concern than where the immigrants send/spend their wages IMHO.

I agree with this. I think that hard-working immigrants who send money to other countries to help support their family aren't contributing to the U.S.'s economic woes.

I think that there is a resource burden created by supporting illegal immigrants.... unpaid bills at hospitals, educating children in the public school system, etc.. That said, I don't fault illegal immigrants for being here in the U.S. where they believe that they and their children will have better opportunities. I do blame our government for failing to make laws that they can enforce and/or failing to enforce their laws.

I don't think that immigration (legal or illegal) is causing our current economic woes. I think our current issues have far more to do with overconsumption, people living beyond their means, and lenders overextending credit (which there was no REAL way to pay back). I also think that our government had it's head in the sand regarding the sustainability of economic growth... and that many of the "fixes" being discussed and/or enacted are pallid attempts to artificially inflate economic data and will have little impact on a true turn-around.

While I think that we're quickly going to a global economy, the U.S. needs to do more to protect U.S. jobs... possibly enact some import tarriffs. I think our government needs to do more to encourage savings (esp. for long-term goals), do more to discourage wastefullness, and enact (or encourage) some more regulation regarding credit (maximum interest rates on credit cards, tighter requirements for mortgages, etc..).

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I look at the economics literature on a daily basis. Study after study shows that immigrants have a net positive effect on the economy.

I agree. As for the cost of education....could you imagine what the cost would be to our society if all their children became illiterate, unproductive adults? I think we need to suck it up and provide education.

Yes, they are not paying taxes, but will also not be entitled to SS....good deal for us. Plus, they are working for below market wages. If all of a sudden taxes were imposed, employers would have to pay them more. We'd all be paying much more for staples, like produce and housing. I don't know that the American consumer can afford to pay much more. Most people are totally stretched with energy prices being reflected in everything we buy.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm not arguing against it. We are among the luckiest people on earth, living in the society in which we live. I certainly don't begrudge someone the opportunity to have what I was lucky enough to be born into.

My only point was that the cost of illegal immigration isn't the money that's sent home, it's the drain on services here.

I don't think that immigration of any sort is the cause of our current economic woes.

 

[mrsklamc]

OK, that answers my question. Thanks for taking it as a legit question, and not that I'm some kind of jingoistic nutcase. I was just curious.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks for taking it as a legit question, and not that I'm some kind of jingoistic nutcase. .

I laughed out loud when I read that... you have some way with words