In the New York Times, Tyler Cowen says we need them:
The current skepticism has deadlocked prospects for immigration reform, even though no one is particularly happy with the status quo. Against that trend, we should be looking to immigration as a creative force in our economic favor. Allowing in more immigrants, skilled and unskilled, wouldn’t just create jobs. It could increase tax revenue, help financeSocial Security, bring new home buyers and improve the business environment.
Read it closely, remember the arguments, convince your friends and family.
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Saturday ~ October 30th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
jazzbumpa
Cowan minces words most carefully.
immigrants may be competing more with offshored workers
It’s hard to prove cause and effect in these studies, or to measure all relevant variables precisely, but at the very least, the evidence in this study doesn’t offer much support
a native-born worker may end up being promoted to supervisor.
A cheap call center in India can encourage a company to open up more branches
no statistically verifiable connection between offshoring and net creation of American jobs. {CREATION?!?}
but the problem is usually rooted in macroeconomic conditions,
more workers have probably been displaced by machines
though their economic effects may be roughly the same as those caused by a natural disaster
Allowing in more immigrants, skilled and unskilled, wouldn’t just create jobs. It could increase
The world economy will most likely grow more open
His article is filled with weasel words, and essentially devoid of anything definitive to support his heartfelt beliefs. This seems rather odd. Why should I want to convince my friends and family of something Cowan apparently believes, but is unable to promote with convincing language?
One or two of these examples wouldn’t carry much weight, but if he makes even a single statement of conviction, I missed it.
Cheers!
JzB
Sunday ~ October 31st, 2010 at 12:00 am
jazzbumpa
Interesting comment string at Thoma’s.
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2010/10/how-immigrants-create-more-jobs.html
Cheers!
JzB
Sunday ~ October 31st, 2010 at 10:19 am
purple
So you believe in open borders ? Or in controlled immigration ? The article defines no parameters and therefore is essentially worthless – and a political hack job.
People who believe in open borders – the right to move anywhere in the world at any time for any reason – should say so.
Sunday ~ October 31st, 2010 at 10:21 am
purple
I am sure the NYT editorial board does not believe the US should have an open border policy.