True, the border issue is a political issue, because the conservatives use it as a wedge to carve off the blue collar vote. The truth of the matter is that we have a labor shortage in agricultural workers and manufacturing workers. (check out the articles below that highlight the problem).
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What has always been termed as "blue collar" work suffers a lower class image in our society. It starts in high school where everyone is pushed towards college. The trades don't even get a mention in high school orientations.
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But the trades pay well and a person can make a great living as a plumber, carpenter, electrician, etc. Ask any contractor it's hard to find people willing to work.
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One thing Trump says that makes sense is that we need to ramp up manufacturing at home. How can a country be a world power if it has to outsource machine work and basic manufacturing. But it's hard to find wiling workers and manufacturing jobs pay well.
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Ag work is backbreaking and low paid. I doubt we find an abundance of citizens willing to that work even if it paid better.
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As you said, there's lots of money available to improve wages, but the wealthy want it all, so they keep wages as low as possible.
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There is a Rand Study that states:
If income distribution had held steady at the pace following WWII, the median income earner today would be earning $100,000 instead of $50,000. And Rand is a conservative think tank.
Thanks for adding your thoughts.
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https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA516-1.html
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