[Grovenet] illegals

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

So the answer is corruption? Supporting and encouraging corrupt government
and behavior? 

Sounds like we're inventing "Baghdad west" around here. 

I don't know about your 30% number, but I do know something about California
agriculture and "free enterprise". I was raised in the Orange groves of
Southern California - those groves that are almost all under concrete now. 

Farming is very, very competitive. We had legal assistance from Mexican
nationals through the bracero program and used a lot of Americans to help
out, but the temptation was too great for many growers. So they used
illegals at half the wage of braceros and gringos. So they accepted lower
bids for their orange crops and sold oranges at a price at which we couldn't
make a profit. One year, after working hard all year and getting in two good
crops, we netted, before taxes a total of 5 cents. That was when I decided
against farming for a "living". 

When you have to compete with crooks and refuse to be a crook yourself,
you'll lose. Every time.  

Then the crooks say 'We have to do this because decent people won't work for
the wages we pay...'

Ron D'Eau Claire 



-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of Marguerite Storbo
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 8:55 AM
To: 'Forest Grove local interests list'
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] illegals


Here's another scenario: 30% of your crops rot in the field because you
can't get anyone to pick them. This is not imaginary: it's happening in
California right now.

Taking jobs from Americans my foot.

Marguerite