PoliBlog: Illegal immigrant work: American slavery in the 21st century

How did America become an economic superpower? Work ethic? Possibly. Innovation? Maybe. International savvy? Very likely. Slavery? Bingo. The former three are touted as the basis for American prosperity, but the work slaves did make this country an economic force like no other.

An economy relying on free and easily exploitable work is a guaranteed formula for growth. Morals have no place in economics, apparently. The opening up of the sea, along with the discovery of easier routes and vehicles for trade, amplified the economic benefits of slavery. Today, we no longer work so much on building the newest freight boat and the cheapest slave boat, but we have found other ways of keeping our name on the marquee.

The influx of immigrants that began at the latter part of the 19th century and into the 20th secured a new source of cheap labor. Soon, all the Irish, Italian, and German immigrants assimilated to America and became the new foundation of it. The new brand of illegal immigrants bares a darker hue. Most are Latino, in particular Mexican. While being discriminated in society, they are overworked, underpaid, ignored, and often abused in the workplace. Reading first and third person testimonials concerning the plight of the illegal American, I often find cases that harken to the days of slave and master.

These illegal Americans are exploited. The new master is the abusive employer. The government decides to not "rock the boat"-as it did with slavery. Rocking the boat would force the government to treat this as an issue that is not only economic, but also diplomatic, moral, ethical, and historical.

If an illegal American does not comply with their boss, threats are presented, whatever benefits they have are removed. Some cases report sexual abuse, where employers, in essence, rape their employees so they can keep their jobs. Others report abuse via bats, hunger, and deprivation. The paramount difference between today and the slavery past is that these Americans are paid. The employers know they can leave more easily than would like. An incentive is needed. When your cheap labor is not guaranteed, you need to pay them enough to stick around.

Nothing can be at par with our shameful past, but we are not working to change the ugly facets that appear today. Our economy is ripe with immorality.