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Doing the jobs Americans won't do...

By Simon Conway

Real Estate Agent with Orlando Area Real Estate Services

April 28, 2008 06:10 AM

Something strange is happening in Oklahoma! While the nation's unemployment is on the rise - 5.1% in March, up from 4.4% in March of 2007 - Oklahoma unemployment is going in the opposite direction - DOWN to 3.1% in March from 4% in March of 2007.

So what is going on in Oklahoma that the rest of us could learn from? The answer is House Bill 1804, sponsored by State Representative Randy Terrill.

This new Oklahoma LAW (yes it passed and was signed by the Governor) has the following provisions:

1. Strict penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens
2. It's now a felony to transport or shelter illegal aliens
3. The State of Oklahoma is forbidden to issue drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants
4. The State of Oklahoma is forbidden to pay social welfare benefits to illegal immigrants or their families
5. State and local police are required by Oklahoma law to enforce Federal immigration laws.

"The bottom line is illegal aliens will not come here if there are no jobs waiting for them," Terrill said. "They will not stay here if there is no Government subsidy and they are probably already leaving because they know that if they encounter our State or local law enforcement officers, they will be physically detained until they are deported."

And after all of this, it has become clear that there are many Americans living in Oklahoma, doing the jobs we are told that Americans won't do. Without that being the case, surely Oklahoma unempoloyment would be sat at 4.7% today instead of 3.1%.

Now clearly what Oklahoma has done is shift the problem to a different State. But it has also shown the other 49 States that you don't need to round up anyone. If we all had these strict immigration laws, most illegals would simply go home - and hopefully apply legally to become citizens of this great nation - just as I have done.

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Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at http://www.simonconway.net/ or http://www.move2orlando.net/

Tune in to Simon on The Home Team Radio Show at our new home on am1520 WHIM. The show airs in Central Florida at 3pm Eastern and is also available worldwide at http://www.1520whim.com/

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Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

David - first of all we have 20 million illegals, not 3. Secondly this is not "news" - it has been going on for years. There have indeed been round-ups in the past and amnesties in the past as well. Your suggestion that someone who has "got away with it" for 20 years should be given citizenship, actually devalues citizenship of this nation. I came here legally. It has taken seven years and thousands of dollars in fees. What do you say to someone like me when you are happy to give away citizenship to those who have been successful at evading the law for so long?

As for California - explains a lot.

Apr 29, 2008 08:54 AM

Israel Barden

RE/MAX Big Bear Village - Big Bear Lake, CA

Simon- California is awesome. The folks who put it down just don't get it. I've been to every state in this nation and California is the best.

Apr 29, 2008 09:04 AM

Anonymous

David

Yes I understand,

this came up with someone else I was talking to you. I guess no matter what side of the issue, someone is not going to be happy. I do agree with you though. But at what point do you start doing what Oklahoma has done. Ya can't just snap your fingers and it's done. You think the economy is bad now......wait and see that fall out.

I think for states like California you have to grant some kind of ciizenship, green cards...somthing maybe it is a process. Everything with the govt is. I like the Oklahoma laws it's obviously very effective. But I don't think you can say one size fits all. There needs to be some exceptions.

Then there is the other issue of the farmers they can't pay americans to work for that wage? It will put them out of business unless the govt has some subsidies. So even if we get rid of the illegals who will work in the fields.

There was somthing funny writen about this great wall that we are putting up. Who will build it? Illegals! Who do think lives close to there? Illegals

Apr 29, 2008 09:10 AM

#37

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Israel - it was a joke!

David - so now you want to excuse farmers for breaking the minimum wage laws as well. Where does it all end?

Apr 29, 2008 09:17 AM

Anonymous

Simon- I don't think we really know what they are making. Do you think they're make $1.50 an hour. I don't know.

If we listen to you the farmers will be out of business or we will pay very high prices for produce. I can afford expensive produce but I'm not sure too many other people can. I guess it will drive up sales for MCDonalds.

Simon if we listen to you the US will cumble. And in case you haven't noticed the US isn't doing that great now as it is. Have seen Michigan? We don't MFR anything any more. (relatively speaking) Can you say China and India.

I'm just asking for an answer that doesn't cripple the US.

I'm open to ideas.

Apr 29, 2008 09:28 AM

#39

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

My family are farmers here. They grow squash, onions, peaches, cantelope and stawberries. They do not employ illegal immigrants and have a very successful business.

The US will not crumble. Our unemployment will crumble (see Oklahoma!)

Apr 29, 2008 09:31 AM

Broker Nick

South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

And we vote Democratic in the Presidential elections? I thought you were Libertarian Israel. Truth comes out finally!

Apr 29, 2008 02:01 PM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Israel - that was not good. Your suggestion is this. Conservatives have a problem with different races, colors and creeds - suggesting that Conservatives are only one race, color or creed. Please remove your racist remark from my blog.

Apr 30, 2008 12:44 AM

Jamie Stimpson

Keller Williams West Monmouth - Freehold, NJ

I can not measure up to the other posts ,but I think what annoys most of us are the freebies.If we have all workers pony up and pay into the system like the rest of us ,along with covering thier own medical costs, paying taxes on thier earnings, and learning the language that would be a start. I do not think its personal, but in my own family besides my husband and myself working, our 3 older children hold jobs ,2 at min. wage. They would love a job that pays $10 off the books (the going rate for migrant workers in my town) Obviously they are hard workers( and probably good people) ,but I bet if they were held to a standard and had to documant their earnings and pay for the doctors they would not want to work here as much. And yes it does piss me off that hard working people that come here through legal routes are undermined and put through the ringer while others are crossing the boarder and given rights that I do not even have , free Attornys(yes they sued our town) being one.

Apr 30, 2008 01:23 AM

Kevin Robinson

Twin Falls, ID

Fractional Developer

Israel,

I am very conservative. I am not white. I was raised below poverty. I am a Christian. I used to live in Cantaffordya. Please refrain from your racist remarks. You are gravely mistaken if you think conservatives are all one color or sex. You need to educate yourself and become more tolerant.

Apr 30, 2008 02:56 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Well said Kevin

Apr 30, 2008 07:34 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Israel agreed to remove his own comments - I am grateful to him for doing so.

May 01, 2008 08:49 AM

Israel Barden

RE/MAX Big Bear Village - Big Bear Lake, CA

My remarks weren't racist. You just wish they were.

May 01, 2008 09:15 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

I guess I don't understand why you have to start this up again. I just got through thanking you. am going to leave it at that and hope you will do the same.

May 01, 2008 09:19 AM

Israel Barden

RE/MAX Big Bear Village - Big Bear Lake, CA

My remark wasn't directed at you, Simon.

May 02, 2008 07:36 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

You referred to "conservatives" - something I am very proud to be. Once again, I suggest you just leave it alone now.

May 02, 2008 07:54 AM

Israel Barden

RE/MAX Big Bear Village - Big Bear Lake, CA

I am proud to be whatever I want to be. I suggest you eat a sandwich.

May 02, 2008 08:13 AM

Broker Nick

South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

My, the hostility in this post. Simon: You bring out the best in people.

May 04, 2008 02:41 AM

John Hersey

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty - York, PA

e-PRO Realtor

Israel,

Are you causing problems again?

Simon,

Going back a bit, I speed but only on a legal basis. I usually do not go more than 7 miles per hour over the limit!

May 04, 2008 06:19 AM

Scott Smith

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Gloucester, MA

Gloucester & Rockport, Massachusetts

Excellent point: In Houston, a Texan protesting amnesty for illegal immigrants argues that anyone who can't master English doesn't deserve to live in America.

It just figures

This is just too perfect for words.