US Politics Thread

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

$30 billion in taxes. $150 billion in costs. What are the real numbers? Lets assume that they do pay in more then they cost: are Americans snickering behind their hands at this?

It's a sad state of affairs when the largest and most complex economy in world history will not function unless we exploit the labor of illegal aliens who just came to America looking for a future, don't you think?

I think Trump should announce a blanket amnesty for illegals.
Announce a plan to fast-track citizenship.
Promise to increase the federal minimum wage to $35 per hour.

A plan Democrats will surely get behind.

Five ways undocumented immigrants are powering the American economy

Explore the many ways that undocumented immigrant workers drive the economy of the United States

www.ilr.cornell.edu

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

But there is doing what's right and not what's wrong. If somebody is in a country illegally then there are legally only two choices.

Either that person applies for some form of legal status or they don't and they're deported. The law doesn't allow for some utopia where people exist somewhere illegally.

This doesn't benefit those migrants either because they're technically ineligible for any state benefits or anything whatsoever. The only single benefit is that it benefits what you're describing which is actually an illegal economy.

They get paid for their work, and often well paid and they also enjoy a better standard of living. I'd say that was a huge benefit. It's a win-win for both sides that nobody in politics wants to acknowledge publicly.

 

[Username Required]

The argument here is that rapid mass deportation will crush the economy. Again, it's another problem that has built up over decades, and there isn't an instant solution.

Agree 100%. A couple of years ago I happened to be watching CSPAN one afternoon and Chuck Shumer was at a podium in front of the Senate holding a (small) press conference and in a moment of unvarnished truth, and without a hint of political rhetoric, he stated that we need as much immigration as possible to offset America's declining birthrate and the problem of the ratio of workers to retirees etc. He looked genuinely troubled.

Telling Americans that they aren't having enough children (they aren't, whatever the cause) is political suicide.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

That sounds like a fantastic system and we should employ it in the UK.

Why don't we forget legal migration and just attract millions of illegal migrants. They could do all the shite jobs and we make them pay tax. However, because they're illegal they will take very little out because we can prevent them from accessing healthcare, education etc. Winner.

I really do despair sometimes. There is zero argument for an illegal population in the US or UK.

There's zero argument for having guns widely available to all and sundry but we have that too.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

But there is doing what's right and not what's wrong. If somebody is in a country illegally then there are legally only two choices.

Either that person applies for some form of legal status or they don't and they're deported. The law doesn't allow for some utopia where people exist somewhere illegally.

It doesn't benefit migrants either because they're technically ineligible for any state benefits, healthcare, voting or anything whatsoever. The only single benefit is that it benefits what you're describing which is actually an illegal economy.

Yes, it's an illegal economy. Just like when you win a bet and don't tell the IRS.

Oh wait, but Trump wants to decimate the IRS.

Huh. Weird.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

There's zero argument for having guns widely available to all and sundry but we have that too.

Another problem that has built up over many years and will likely never be solved.

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

Yes, it's an illegal economy. Just like when you win a bet and don't tell the IRS.

Oh wait, but Trump wants to decimate the IRS.

Huh. Weird.

Over here all gambling winings are tax free.
No need to declare anything to anyone.

Call yourself the land of the free? Tut tut.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Another problem that has built up over many years and will likely never be solved.

Nope. And MAGA's willing to live with that problem as long as the price of peanut butter declines by 10 cents a jar (which was all Joe Biden's fault).

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

Another problem that has built up over many years and will likely never be solved.

It never will be. Ironically it would require a civil war to put the genie back in the bottle.

 

[flook]

But there is doing what's right and not what's wrong. If somebody is in a country illegally then there are legally only two choices.

Either that person applies for some form of legal status or they don't and they're deported. The law doesn't allow for some utopia where people exist somewhere illegally.

It doesn't benefit migrants either because they're technically ineligible for any state benefits, healthcare, voting or anything whatsoever. The only single benefit is that it benefits what you're describing which is actually an illegal economy.

it's actually easy to resolve, give/impose on the illegals (pick whichever suits your viewpoint) a temporary visa allowing them to work and live in the USA for a period of, let's say 2 years, during which time they must apply for full residency. This gets them in the system, gets them paying taxes, gets them access to benefits and healthcare and gives them a route to a "better life". USA retains the benefit of the workers.

Failing to register becomes a deportable offense within oh I don't know, 6 months, meaning you should then have a smaller issue to deal with.

Of course to make it attractive, the permanent residency should be readily achievable, rule out those with criminal records for violent, sexual or class A drug offenses, let the rest in.

Obviously you'll have to absorb any economic impact of higher wages, higher social security costs etc, but hey, there's no such thing as a free lunch is there?

This politics lark is easy , Vote Flook for PM/Prez