Clayton Cramer argues that unrestricted immigration is harmful because a continual influx of cheap labor discourages technological innovation. I largely agree with his analysis, and I've said before that I have no sympathy for so-called conservatives who claim illegal immigration is essential for our nation's economic health. As I wrote in the immediately preceding post, shortages may lead to short-term losses but they tend to encourage long-term gains in efficiency.
Get your Tim Geithner TAX CHEAT! stamps!
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I certainly agree. I guess I'm dense but the "illegal" before immigration seems pretty clear to me. I have no problem with legal, legitimate immigration - after all, that is how my ancestors arrived.
Living in California's San Joaquin Valley, I hear the farmers talk about how they would be ruined without the illegals. Too bad, I say. Someone would pick up the pieces. Just as some say small acerage farms can't exist - then you have the hard workers running a small strawberry field, turning a small but workable profit.
Look at the various responses to labor shortages in agriculture and you will see that your statement regarding "long-term gains in efficiency" are indeed correct.
Sadly, I don't see anyone doing anything about it in the forseeable future...