I hire Latin Americans because they are eager to work to please and get bthe job done no matter how dirty the job may be. To be honest, I don’t know any Americans that would take these jobs. Poor Americans eat better than anyone in the world and if they do take these job it will disqualify them from their air-conditioned HUD housing, Section 8, No Mother Left Behind, Disability, Welfare and all the other government assistance they steal.

I treat my Latin-American laborers with respect and pay them well because they have earned my respect. If we want to stop them from sending all their cash south of the border we should implement a tax collected at such foreign money transfer companies as Western Union.

In my section 8 post I similarly pointed out some things I’d heard and learned about section 8 and ASKED FOR THE READERS’ INPUT. I readily admitted I’d never thought much about the topic except to assume I wasn’t for it, that I’d heard great things about the program, and I openly asked others to share related experiences and opinions.

I think both of these are interesting post topics (obviously, or I wouldn’t have posted them). I welcome your opinions and input, and I don’t disagree with everything you say, contrary to your assumptions. I agree that a balanced approach to political/financial matters is always a good thing. Which is why I wish you’d elaborate about your viewpoint on the issues–rather than complaining about having to read mine or JLP’s.

To everyone actually discussing the topic at hand – thanks for your comments!

Thomas – I agree the tough thing for me is that the better job is often cheaper. It goes against my free market principals to force people to pay more for less quality/quantity of work.

Bill – I agree that illegal isn’t always wrong. Most of those immigrants are good, hardworking people who are determined to get ahead. Just the people the American Dream is made for! It seems wrong on an instinctive level to deprive such a person of jobs – or even housing – just because they jumped the boarder for a chance at a better life. Can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same. But I do get the problem with it too–they are using our resources – space, schools, hospitals, jobs, nonprofit resources etc – and they are a) often not paying taxes into the system, and b) sending much of their earnings out of our economy, back to Mexico, rather than spending them here to bolster our economy. You can’t let too many people take and not give before you have a big problem.

In general though, my thought about the article was just that it’s a crazy stretch and seems to have been written purely to sensationalize, under the guise of financial savings tips. I can’t believe MSN would write about hiring an illegal worker (or whatever PC term you like better) as a savings strategy that the public needs to be educated about just like refinancing your car or improving your credit.

I fail to see how that post is bashing poor people. It’s not. It’s bashing our political system. I believe in helping those who are less fortunate.

Why must you paint anyone who isn’t a liberal as not caring for the poor?

In many cases illegal workers fulfil the need where there is shortage of Americans willing to do the job. Farm jobs is one such area, so is childcare and household help. Sure, there are American nannies, but whom would you rather hire to watch your kids – a foreign woman with a degree in education or nursing or an American who is barely qualified to be hired by McDonald?

As to the economy – have you thought about the impact the lack of migrant workers will have on what we pay for our food?

Sure, they could be paying taxes – if the US had a program for temporary workers. Some of them actually do as IRS doesn’t mind getting taxes from illegal workers (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/19/business/19illegals.html).

And how can it possibly be wrong to simply employ someone for a day’s work? Oh, that’s right, our government wants to make us all policeman of its immigration system, its employment laws and its retirement system. Systems which are themselves immoral and violate the rights of ordinary Americans every day via aggression and interference. No thanks.

Shine, perishing republic.

For me, Illegal Immigrant isn’t a dirty word. It’s hard for me to condemn someone who risks their life crossing the border and lives in constant fear, all so they can make a better life for someone back home. The US Policy on immigration needs to be fixed, but demonizing people who are supporting their families isn’t the answer.

Also, in terms of bashing poor people, I was referring to you, not Meg.

http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/01/03/welfare-definition/

I get that your a Republican and so is Meg, and that’s great. But as Meg made clear in her Section 8 housing post, financial information can be distorted when viewed through a political lens. (As her agent said “This has nothing to do with your political convictions)

While I have to point out that no one is forcing you to read it or take the time to comment about how much you don’t like reading it, I do acknowledge that a little variety is in order. I don’t do it just to get people rattled, though. This article was being featured at MSN Money – apparently they think it has to do with finance (of the “how to save money” variety).

Do keep in mind that almost everything original that you want to write about finance these days is going to be political on some level, or at least controversial. Finance writers who don’t get political often get repetitive and labeled “generic.” Additionally, most every financial topic discussed in the media is with a political party persuasion– the recession, the housing market, inflation, gold, oil, interest rates, estate planning, taxes, the deficit et al. Not an excuse, just a reality in an election year.