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Hernando Today

As In Past, Immigrants Will Secure America's Place In Global Economy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Reaction to the recent letter to Hernando Today about immigrants helping our U.S. economy by bringing truck farm products to market was swift and specific to conservative values.

That work in America by Mexican immigrants helps the gross national product of Mexico to improve the quality of life for many thousands of our Central American neighbors did not appear to pull upon the heartstrings of conservatives. Indeed, the call that immigrants are taking jobs from our own workers drew further ire by regulars who write to Hernando Today in their continuing rants to preserve their far-right political viewpoints.

But, Robert Reicht, former labor secretary to President Clinton, in an op-ed set of remarks on public-sponsored radio, recently noted that some 78 million baby boomers are reaching the age of retirement and Social Security. They will depend on millions and millions in our labor force to supply their needs. Those millions are not in our labor markets. America will depend on thousands of immigrants to boost our productivity and secure America's place in the exporting of goods and services into the global economy as well as our own.

All this may present a real dilemma to conservatives. This nation was built on the skills and services of immigrants in our work force who brought "Made in America" the trademark that all of us can be proud. That's thanks to immigrants from Europe, Ireland and England who came to America to form the perfect union to which our patriotic songs provide the praises children in our schools still sing.

It is not far-fetched to consider that, for all practical purposes, immigrants do have a place in our economy in bringing products to market; and it would be practical to propose that millions and millions of immigrants will be necessary in America to build that promise, reinforced by Mr. Reicht's academic views in his professorial perspectives that reach deeply into our labor considerations far into the future.

Deron Mikal

Brooksville

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