My online economics class has been discussing the issue of immigration and illegal immigration this week. For reference, the instructions are thus:
Please address the following issues in your original posting:
1. Summarize at least one positive economic impact of immigration.
2. Summarize at least one negative economic impact of immigration.
3. Discuss the potential impacts of immigration on poverty levels in the United States. Will immigration impact certain demographic groups in the United States more than others? Explain.
I posted my bit Monday evening. We're supposed to check back, and to read through the other entries and respond if we have something to add. It's supposed to be a discussion, you know.
Well, there are some things I just can't respond to. I present two examples. The first is from one of the students, the second is from another student in reply to the first. (WARNING: painful abuse of the English language)
1. One positive economic impact of immigration has had is that immigrates have boast store sales when they buy items and this helps the economy because it produces more money for it.
2. One negative economic impact of immigration has had is that immigrates are doing jobs that very low wages and because this many Americans that a unemployed cannot get this jobs because they would have to be paid minimum wage something which employers do not have to worry about illegal immigrates. Also, another negative economic impact of immigration is that more and more of them are using public resources such as schools and more immigrates are being arrested leaving many Americans to pay more taxes.
3. I believe that immigrates will impact the poverty line because they would work jobs for lesser pay than minimum wage. This would make employers more hesitant to employ Americans workers. And because of this more people who were born in American and also without high school diploma have no options for actual work and will live off of welfare.
2. One negative economic impact of immigration has had is that immigrates are doing jobs that very low wages and because this many Americans that a unemployed cannot get this jobs because they would have to be paid minimum wage something which employers do not have to worry about illegal immigrates. Also, another negative economic impact of immigration is that more and more of them are using public resources such as schools and more immigrates are being arrested leaving many Americans to pay more taxes.
3. I believe that immigrates will impact the poverty line because they would work jobs for lesser pay than minimum wage. This would make employers more hesitant to employ Americans workers. And because of this more people who were born in American and also without high school diploma have no options for actual work and will live off of welfare.
I can't respond to this. I can barely guess at what they mean. This is wrong on so many levels. Of course what I'd like to say (especially today, as I'm in a pissy mood) goes along the lines of "Get a F**king Clue! Don't torture me with this mangled mess. Learn how to speak, how to read, how to write." Superman wondered if they are able to understand the textbook at all. This is the book that's full of rambling obscure explanations.
Bless their pea-pickin' hearts, I suppose they mean well. I guess I should be grateful that they are in school and trying to learn. It amazes me, though, that these kids got into college in the first place. Or that they graduated high school. I have serious doubts about the quality of education in Sout' Caroliner.
And perhaps I'm being too judgmental. I can be an obnoxious intellectual snob sometimes. But really, this?
