Retired Dept

Retired Dept

Illegal immigration is not just a problem in the border states with Mexico, it's all over. Not long ago, I was discussing this with a gentleman from Alabama, and he was telling me of the challenges there. Indeed, I was aware of some of the issues, but he brought up some I had not considered. For instance when he stated;

"In Alabama the prices of used automobiles and rent have sky rocketed far beyond inflation rates due to the increased demand," he was suggesting that the illegal aliens come to the US and they are changing the market dynamics. Of course, sometimes for the better, but all changes cause challenges to the norm, that is what change does.

Indeed, I told him that; I bet Manheim Auto Auction is happy about that, as they are selling more cars, and for higher bids. You know, last time I was in Alabama a couple of years ago, I noted in the middle of the night a Tyson Foods chicken processing plant let out, everyone was Mexican, and a few Blacks Americans, no wonder the blacks are upset there, as it appears that the Mexicans have taken all their jobs and reproduce twice as fast. Still, competition in labor markets is good, it keeps people honest and working hard too.

Of course in FL it's basically the same thing, but some of the FL businesses note that the blacks do not work that hard there (or so they claim this to be the reality) and the Cubans and Mexicans have lots of work, because supposedly they work harder - which is a stereotype comment which cannot be uttered in public). Well at least this was what Florida Business people claimed until this recession hit, now very few have jobs, regardless of race or color of skin, things are pretty bad indeed.

Still, I am blown away by the lack of skill in construction, you should see some of the hatchet jobs they call new track homes here in Southern California, well in NV, AZ too. It's amazing, as the roof lines do not even line up. I bet they have the same issues in Alabama too. The old guys, real craftsmen that know what they are doing are being squeezed out by non-skilled nonsense, now we have cracked slabs, falling down retaining walls (and mind you this is Earthquake country) and pools that are not surfaced right, the tiles go at weird angles, and they leak, and they call them swimming pools? How about money pits, it costs a lot to redo faulty work like that.

My acquaintance in Alabama is a good ole Southern Boy and typically a little jaded in these regards, nevertheless he notes: "Wages are somewhere around the 1985 level, and job competition in the construction industry is fierce, with bid prices dropping constantly."

Still what he is saying seems to be what has happened here in Southern California too. Around here contractors with 20-30 years experience are bidding for wages to keep their guys busy and stay in business. Most of the fly-by-nighters have gone, many back to Mexico. I talked with a Home Depot manager here at the local Starbucks, he said that many of the so-called contractors (wink,wink, no license, insurance, etc) were bidding jobs for just about material costs, then stiffed Home Depot credit dept, and hoofed it back to Mexico in their new unpaid for Silverado Pickup! Ouch.

Seriously, it is nuts, some are very upset with all of this, especially out of work white contractors, stating "we got raped." And they go on to say; "Trying to Build a better life my rear end." Now, I for a fact there are decent Hispanic workers, I've met more than a few, but they also get the negative stereotype label in all of this, it hurts them too. Indeed, it is a "lie" to assume "they" (illegal immigrants) are all good and just trying to build a better life. The reality is like anything else in life, some are and some are not. Just like some used car salesmen are honest and others are full of beans.

My acquaintance in Alabama suggests that "a legitimate tax-paying, insurance carrying company cannot compete against one that does not have any overhead. This is not rocket science," and to that I'd say, yes, that is correct. And before retirement I had franchised mobile car washing units all over the US in 450 cities and 23-states, we saw the same thing in my industry, of course, today, it's just worse is all. Someday we need to address these issues, talk straight and ditch the political correctness or we will never solve the problems we face. We can't move forward until we do.

We need jobs, and strong and legitimate small businesses, please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net. Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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