I've had no problems getting teenagers willing to work for $10-15/ hr on basic crap jobs cleaning up foreclosures. I pay better for skilled labor. Had a fun weekend after the ice storm cleaning up debris with 4 great kids. Had a crew of 8 teens picking tansy.

Most of the kids are client's kids.

It is a myth that the Mexican illegals men get all kinds of free welfare benefits. There are no welfare programs, that I am aware of, for single males of any race. Almost all welfare programs stem from AFDC. Aid to FAMILIES with Dependent Children. No children - no wlefare. There are some very limited aid programs for disabled, blind etc. But a healthy, single man has no benefits that I am aware of.

That's why they tend to come in packs.

Not packs, droves. There's a C-5A flight from Tijuana to Lewis-McChord bringing you fresh crews for the Home Depot lineup on a daily basis.

Hank's got high hopes.

Catholics over the age of 18 who are not married or reproducing are probably rare. Catholics encourage reproduction, 10 fold. So to think that the home depot line up are single guys is naive. I would line up also at Home Depot if my living expenses were covered to make some daily cash. With that said, my grandma was 100% Mexican. If I was to count on one hand the best people I've known in my life - she is definately there -counted. Not sure what I would've done w/out her growing up. She immigrated legally into the US.

I don't agree with the system as is...it sucks...it is ruining the construction industry. There HAS to be a better way.

So here is a link, didn't read the website & forgive me if it is bias but was just looking at the figures. I know I'm out there lately but if you lived my life for the last 3 weeks -----you would understand.

http://immigrationcounters.com/

What would happen if the U.S. actually had a surplus of money?

On another note - our riding mower is dead. We have 2 but one is now dead. Routinely mow the 80+ year old neigbors yard but for the last few weeks have neglect & tried today but...killed the mower. Chain was off - think the transmission got messed up....it was bad over there -definately not the motor. She has an acre but only 1/4s mowed. Maybe she will have to hire someone. Gotta keep our only working mower - working!

Why the hell would an American citizen take a job from an employer with no option for healthcare, paying under minimum wage, working you for as long as the day is bright, and being totally fricking illegal? Only an illiterate, dumb @ss, pos would do something as dumb as that. Real Americans have pride and we demand no less from our employers.

Well that is a fantasy world 'cause not even illegals do that...seriously!

Ok well we have 3 riding mowers but one is a shinny brand new John Deer & never used...so just to look at - but kinda fun to ride full blast thru the yard - every now & again.

Because they need the money to put a roof over their family's head, feed the family, clothes for the kids. Lots of reason why people would take a job like that if times were tough.

Also most people that used these day workers were saying they were paying them $12/hour, so that is above minimum wage. Just in case you forgot.

So, it sounds like you support unions.

When I was talking to my accountant about a flip I was working on, he said the biggest exposure for hiring workers from Home Depot or unlicensed contractors is if they get hurt on your property, you may be faced with a large claim that your insurance may not cover.

I almost hired a few this weekend because I have a bum leg right now and cannot work in my yard on shi.t that needs doin.
I refrained after hearing a story from my next door neighbor that two weeks ago she hired two whom demanded more money that was originally agreed upon once they were finished with the job. She told them to take a hike because they had struck a deal... then later that day they returned to her property and stole all her yard tools and other misc stuff from her garage....

I took x-rays of a worker hired off the street; he fell off a ladder, breaking his wrist and ankle. The scumbag that hired him dumped him off at the front door of the ER and left.

I live in an area with a 52% hispanic population. We have an area designated for day laborers (pick up/drop off sight) lat I checked there was no sign saying brown skin only..... farmers, contractors, and home owners use them on a daily basis. not sure how the legalities work out but you can pay cash if they work under a certain amount of hours, something like that.... Have worked with them and have hired them. 90% are very hard working and send most of their income home to families. some even have full time jobs and just do this on the weekend for extra income.

I don't have a problem with those who don't have a job but are willing to work. hell, even the waisted [Bleeeeep!] that rolls around on a bike/trailor combo picking up cans it at least trying to pay for another 4 loco and a pack of Mavericks..... (4 loco reference is for abu and todd) However, what I do have a problem with is the punk bitches that stand at an off ramp with their face all pierced up, quilt pants, a dog, backpack, and a sign asking for change...........attire changes with the seasons of course.

Jeez Hank, I would have thought the scumbag is a conservative hero type of yours. Ya' know, hiring low cost workers and controlling labor costs by imposing the health care costs on the massive social safety net of ERs. It's all the rage among conservative types like you who are opposed to national health care from what I read in your cut & paste articles.

The scumbag must have stiffed you for the x-ray; otherwise he'd be your entrepeneurial hero.

Jeez Salmo, calling out a scumbag for dumping an injured employee on the front steps of the ER gets you wired up? There's no winning with you peabrains.

You might have thought he was a conservative hero type of mine until you realized this happened in Marin County. That's the congressional district of 10-term Socialist/Democrat Lynn Woolsey..the same Lynn Woolsey that got over 70% of the vote (they gave Obama over 78%) in her last election run.

That means the scumbag had better than a 7-in-10 chance of being one of the folks you love and admire..the over-250K earners that vote for and donate to the Democratic Party; the ones Schumer doesn't want to tax because they donate so much. The ones who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

As a salaried employee, being stiffed for services rendered isn't my concern.

Not wired up Hank, just trying to be certain that I understand you. You praise conservative business attributes, and the scumbag's actions exemplified those attributes. My guess is he's a Marin minority Republican. I've known a few conservative business types, and they would applaud the guy's resourcefulness.