But as a press release available on her website clearly indicates, she's still thoroughly confused.
She is correct in noting that a guestworker program would "lead to the exploitation of workers" and that it would "exert downward pressure on wages at a time when we are already losing our middle class." This is precisely why Big Business has been pushing for this bill for years -- bigger profits.
But the Senator immediately contradicts herself when she says, "There are concepts in the bill I strongly support -- a path to legalization for the 12 million undocumented immigrants..."
So here's the simple question: Why would a legalization policy have a different impact on wages than a guestworker policy?
The simple answer: It wouldn't. Both guestworker programs and amnesty programs "exert downward pressure on wages." It's Economics 101: When you increase the supply of cheap labor (which both policies do), the result is a decrease in wages.
Repeated calls to the Senator's offices indicate that her staffers rightfully don't even want to attempt to explain her illogical statements. I've sent a letter and will post any clarification of the Senator's position.
For More Information:
Increasing the Supply of Labor Through Immigration:
Measuring the Impact on Native-born Workers
By Dr. George J. BorjasMeasuring the Impact on Native-born Workers
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/back504.html
"I really have no idea what I'm talking about!"
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