Mexico's Growing Middle Class

[Skjellyfetti]

Contrary to popular belief, Mexicans aren't risking their lives walking across the desert for days to take advantage of US welfare.

Actually, yes they are.

The ability to send remesas home is one part of the equation, but the allure of "residencia" and citizenship for their children is at the very least an equal player. We have MANY citizens and LPRs who live in Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala who have no intention of ever living in the US or becoming actual Americans, because they can enjoy the low cost of living at home while enjoying the benefits of citizenship in the form of various social programs.

Well, I certainly agree that citizenship for their children is a legit motivation that I didn't mention... though, do agree completely with.

However, I do not see birthright citizenship as welfare... nor do I believe the motivation for Mexicans, Salvadorans, etc. for their children to be US citizens is so that they can take advantage of welfare -- it's so that they will have access to opportunities that they would not have in their own country.

As a middle class grows in Mexico and opportunities are available to them, it will be less of a motivation, imo.

BTW- did you know that more than 20% of the entire Salvadoran economy is based on remittances from the US, and that a full 1/3 of the entire Salvadoran population actually resides in the US?

No. But, it's not at all surprising to me.

One day I will talk about TPS- temporary protected status- if anyone wants to be enlightened about how good intentions ALWAYS wind up being exploited by not only the beneficiaries but also the politicians.

I'm not as familiar with TPS -- but, I've seen similar things with temporary worker programs in North Carolina. It's well-intentioned... and is still better than illegal immigration. Workers exploit the system, employers exploit the system, etc. It's a mess, but still an improvement over the status quo.

[Cap'n Cat]

The Mexicans are wonderful people with a vibrant culture.

[LeadBolt]

Seriously? Why not keep the jobs here? Why do you hate America, Jon?

Of course I would prefer jobs here, but realistically, a lot of that is not going to happen in today's global market.

Capitalism ensures that producers will go to wherever they can make the most profit.


Unless you want to limit free trade, erect tariffs, etc, this is reality.

True. Perhaps it is time to look at the total package of legislated issues that keeps producers from making profits here to see it there are any of the burdens placed on them by the government that can be lessened without harming the general populace that may keep more of the producers from leaving.

While we are at it, perhaps we can enact laws on immigration more in line with those of Mexico and pursue policies for protecting our southern border similar to those the Mexicans employ on their southern border...

[Grizalltheway]

Of course I would prefer jobs here, but realistically, a lot of that is not going to happen in today's global market.

Capitalism ensures that producers will go to wherever they can make the most profit.


Unless you want to limit free trade, erect tariffs, etc, this is reality.

True. Perhaps it is time to look at the total package of legislated issues that keeps producers from making profits here to see it there are any of the burdens placed on them by the government that can be lessened without harming the general populace that may keep more of the producers from leaving.

While we are at it, perhaps we can enact laws on immigration more in line with those of Mexico and pursue policies for protecting our southern border similar to those the Mexicans employ on their southern border...

You and I both know the producers are going to leave regardless of how much government regulations are loosened. Unless we start paying American workers comparable wages to those earned by workers in the second/third world shitholes they offshore to, they won't stay.

[Skjellyfetti]

True. Perhaps it is time to look at the total package of legislated issues that keeps producers from making profits here to see it there are any of the burdens placed on them by the government that can be lessened without harming the general populace that may keep more of the producers from leaving.

Well, there's the rub.

Yes, the government has placed burdens on businesses that have made them outsource jobs.

These burdens include things like a minimum wage.

However, these burdens on businesses help the general populace. Eliminating the minimum wage would harm the populace.

So, coming up with solutions that match your criteria ain't easy and that's why we're in the situation we're in. If it were as easy as you make it sound... it would have been done long, long ago.

We're not going to be able to compete with the 3rd world at providing cheap labor. The factory worker profiled in the story makes $3.65 an hour. That's pretty close to half of the US's federal minimum wage. That's $7,592 per year.

While we are at it, perhaps we can enact laws on immigration more in line with those of Mexico and pursue policies for protecting our southern border similar to those the Mexicans employ on their southern border...

No.

We're 'Merica for a reason. Yes, it would be much easier to enact laws like a 3rd world country and show little regard for basic human rights. But, we're better than that. Right?

[AZGrizFan]

I'm not as familiar with TPS -- but, I've seen similar things with temporary worker programs in North Carolina. It's well-intentioned... and is still better than illegal immigration. Workers exploit the system, employers exploit the system, etc. It's a mess, but still an improvement over the status quo.

Well you may not be familiar with it, but be sure and put the cover sheet on it.

[Skjellyfetti]

I'm not as familiar with TPS -- but, I've seen similar things with temporary worker programs in North Carolina. It's well-intentioned... and is still better than illegal immigration. Workers exploit the system, employers exploit the system, etc. It's a mess, but still an improvement over the status quo.

Well you may not be familiar with it, but be sure and put the cover sheet on it.

Funny especially because I imagine you to be Bill Lumbergh in real life.

[AZGrizFan]

Well you may not be familiar with it, but be sure and put the cover sheet on it.

Funny especially because I imagine you to be Bill Lumbergh in real life.

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhh.....I'm gonna need you to come in on Saaaaaaturday, mmmmmm-kayyyyyy?

[Ivytalk]

Funny especially because I imagine you to be Bill Lumbergh in real life.

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhh.....I'm gonna need you to come in on Saaaaaaturday, mmmmmm-kayyyyyy?

Don't forget the !

[SDHornet]

While we are at it, perhaps we can enact laws on immigration more in line with those of Mexico and pursue policies for protecting our southern border similar to those the Mexicans employ on their southern border...

This. I always get a good laugh when the illegal immigration proponents get on their soapbox and rave about the injustices in the American immigration laws/process...its even funnier when it comes from Mexican nationals.

[houndawg]

Good news. A strong Mexican economy will certainly cool down the illegal immigration flow to a trickle.

Bad news. We need the illegals to keep wages down.

[AZGrizFan]

Good news. A strong Mexican economy will certainly cool down the illegal immigration flow to a trickle.

Bad news. We need the illegals to keep wages down.

It's a win/win: strong Mexican economy keeps immigration flow to a trickle, loss of jobs to Mexico keeps unemployment up in U.S....high unemployment keeps wages down.

[D1B]

Bad news. We need the illegals to keep wages down.

It's a win/win: strong Mexican economy keeps immigration flow to a trickle, loss of jobs to Mexico keeps unemployment up in U.S....high unemployment keeps wages down.

[kalm]

Those middle class incomes are gonna start increasing demand for cell phone towers, lawn maintenance companies, and swimming pools. Then they'll start expecting stronger environmental protection and worker safety regulations. It's only a matter of time before the greedy middle class pulls the entire system down.

[AZGrizFan]

It's a win/win: strong Mexican economy keeps immigration flow to a trickle, loss of jobs to Mexico keeps unemployment up in U.S....high unemployment keeps wages down.

[HI54UNI]

This will help the illegals from Guatemala, El Salvador, etc. Now they don't have to travel as far to get a job mowing lawns, cleaning hotels, etc. They can stop in Mexico instead of coming all the way here.