It is not all that often I think about who it is that we talk about all the time on the news. Meaning in particular illegal labor from Mexico. Today I met two illegals, they were in my home – and I would again welcome them in my home for any reason. Some months back I went into a number of carpet stores as I wanted to re-carpet my theater. I went from store to store shopping for service more than price and actually ended up at the Home Depot. Ordered the carpet blah blah…weeks later I get a call, install was today.
I was told by a less than polite woman that the install would be “between one and four”…I figured that meant 3:30 and was out getting lunch. 1:01pm my phone rang – they were in my driveway to install the carpet. I went home, met the two gentlemen and showed them the room and started to move bikes…they instantly were helping move bikes. Easiest way into the room with big things is to drive around the house on the lawn and to the back doors…they were insistent that they would carry the carpet around, I that they drive…I finally thankfully won that argument. Nervously the van went into the grass and to the back door.
They got right to work…I have had carpets installed before, by white guys. They all had a give a shit attitude and seemingly could not wait to leave. These two, nothing but perfection, patients (in between bouts of playing with Estee). The seams, edges, trim…all perfection. While they were here I asked if they could re-stretch the carpet in my living room, we walked up and he assured me he could for *“thirty five, forty or so dollars, how about forty?” *As the theater was wrapping up and spending a full forty five minutes vacuuming the new carpet one was upstairs working on the carpet.
All said, they were at my home for about four and half hours, took less than half hour for the stretch. When they gave me their paper work I noticed that Home Depots contractor was paying these TWO a whopping $43.60 for the entire job! What in the hell is wrong with this? These two guys bust their asses and are supposed to take home about $5.00 an hour (travel not included)! I said I needed to pay them for the extra work and handed each of them five $20 bills. They said *“no thanks we agreed on $40.00”. *I of course would not take no for an answer and insisted. We shook hands and they left…for the rest of today I sit and wonder what in the hell it is we as a nation are thinking taking for granted the labor that they are so willing to provide, and we so willing to abuse.
That’s a great story, and I’m glad you had a really good experience, but I don’t think anyone in the mainstream is advocating kicking all ethnic Mexicans out of the country, or even preventing Mexicans from getting work here. The idea is to force everyone to comply with the law. As nice as they were, if those workers were here illegally, then thay are criminals.
I hire mexicans to do work around my homes whenever I’ve needed it. Gardening, painting, plumbing, tile, carpentry, etc. They do absolutely excellent work.
Did you actually ask them if they were illegal aliens? Just curious how you went about asking that. I’m assuming you came to that conclusion because of the bill, right?
I agree with Slowguy - I don’t think the argument is whether or not we should remove these humans from the country simply because they’re Mexican, but rather a matter of law.
You’re certainly correct, though - Home Depot should be ashamed of themselves for that type of wage.
Yes, I asked. They reluctantly responded - this was after I think I earned their trust (and helped to carry in a roll of carpet). I did go to Home Depot tonight to give them my glowing review as well.
Something doesn’t add up. Isn’t minimum wage $5.75? Who can pay someone below minimum wage? Fast food pays $2 over min where I live. I pay college kids in my office $12/hr for clerical. Our gardener get about $15/hr/.
"I sit and wonder what in the hell it is we as a nation are thinking taking for granted the labor that they are so willing to provide, and we so willing to abuse. "
Well, how about the job “Joe White Guy” use to have at the local carpet store before Home Depot came to town. He was actually able to support his family on that job, which I think would be pretty unlikely even for a “Mexican” at $5/hr. You make it clear that you are willing to pay more for the service than what they charged. I blame the employeers and the system that lets them get away with it. The people that hire them (knowingly…not your case) are stealing from their competitors who are here legally. Bringing in more unskilled workers does 2 things…it depresses the wages at the low end, and it increases the buying power of people hiring those workers. So those supporting unskilled immigration are in effect supporting an increase in the gap between the haves and have-nots.
"I sit and wonder what in the hell it is we as a nation are thinking taking for granted the labor that they are so willing to provide, and we so willing to abuse. "
Well, how about the job “Joe White Guy” use to have at the local carpet store before Home Depot came to town. He was actually able to support his family on that job, which I think would be pretty unlikely even for a “Mexican” at $5/hr. You make it clear that you are willing to pay more for the service than what they charged. I blame the employeers and the system that lets them get away with it. The people that hire them (knowingly…not your case) are stealing from their competitors who are here legally. Bringing in more unskilled workers does 2 things…it depresses the wages at the low end, and it increases the buying power of people hiring those workers. So those supporting unskilled immigration are in effect supporting an increase in the gap between the haves and have-nots.
Sounds to me these two fellows are far from unskilled.
The simple economics of it are this: globalization and immigration are good for labor and product markets. There is a net surplus to this trade activity. However, especially in the case of labor markets, this surplus is extremely heavily distributed to the owners of capital, and basically completely comes out of the hide of labor. So you can have your cheaper socks and carpet installation, and more people can afford it, which is good, but this comes out of both complete sacrifices by labor, as well as surplus created by wider access.
The question, largely avoided by Republican administrations because they are both ideologically and politically opposed to labor interests, is can you redistribute some of these gains to labor in ways that are efficient and forward-looking for the economy? Clinton supported globalization and spent a lot of effort in this direction, putting money towards job training, while predictably, it was one of the first things cut by Bush. At the end of the day, we can rely on GDP statistics and so forth, but the real story is in the detail - what do you do with career manufacturing workers who have families and responsibilities, who are now out of work, without relevant skills for the “new” economy? You can’t reasonably expect them to all suddenly find themselves interviewing at Google. At least not without help, which isn’t willingly offered under certain political regimes.
“No no…cant compare a min wage hike to paying a skilled worker for their skills. Dont get confused.”
I am confused. What does your story have to do with kicking Mexicans out of the country. Apparently, what you would support is paying criminals a good salary for good work, thus allowing them to profit from their criminal activities?
Really? Define “criminal?” I would say, “anyone who committs a crime” but the standard reply is that we all break crimes by speeding, etc, so let’s go with “Someone who lives off of the crimes they committ.”
There is an “official” day labor center a few miles from where I live and when I need some extra muscle around the yard I go there instead of Home Depot or U-Haul. You sign a contract and guarantee the workers a minimum of $10 an hour and extra tips are up to you. They do great work, they are quick, and show up on time because you give them a ride.
I’ve also used non lisenced landscaping firms which are mostly Mexican. I had drainage, sprinklers and sod installed last Spring and had quotes from several lisenced firms that were all in the $18-$20K range. THe guys I used did it for $6,000 plus $2,000 in materials and they brought back all the receipts. I tipped each of them individually when the boss wasn’t looking.
I’m having my backyard done this coming Spring and will use the same guys…if they can pour concrete.