Strong unions make strong middle class

Terry E Peele, Las Vegas

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 | 2:04 a.m.

A large number of individuals write and talk about illegal immigration and the cost of these immigrants to the taxpayers of Nevada. Only a small number write or talk about the reason these illegal immigrants are here. That, folks, is jobs.

There are those who say these are jobs that Americans will not take. Not true. These are jobs that pay such an indecent wage that only a few Americans will do the work required for such low pay. Why are there so many jobs out there that pay such an indecent wage that Americans will not do them?

Talking just about Nevada, consider the fact that it is a “right to work” state. Sure, a large percentage of Nevadans take pride in such a designation. Well folks, it comes with a price. A right to work state weakens unions. The result: fewer union jobs.

Go to any union job site in Nevada and you’ll find few questionable immigrants working there. That’s because union jobs pay a decent wage, and when employers have to pay decent wages, there is no advantage to hiring illegal immigrants.

Say what you like about unions, but it was unions that established the middle class in this country. As unions get weaker, the middle class gets smaller. The reason is not because individuals are moving into the upper class. Folks, it’s because more and more individuals are falling into the lower class.

Something to think about the next time you see an illegal immigrant working for peanuts while you pay to educate his children and pick up his health care cost because his employer doesn’t provide him health insurance.