This editorial/blog is directed at the loyal blue collar union workers who have yet to realize that the Democratic Party is throwing them under the bus. The DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor Party) radical liberals still spout the familiar party line, stating they stand for the farmers and the working man. Farmers were abandoned years ago. While the DFL still pretends the blue collar worker is important, their immigration policies are destroying the future of the very workers they claim to support.

Labor is a commodity, like corn, copper, iron, silver and oil. When a commodity is scarce, the price (wages) go up. The inverse is true: When the commodity is plentiful wages go down. Allowing millions of immigrants into the country, legal and illegal alike, dilutes the labor pool. The effects on blue collar workers has been dramatic, wages have been stagnant for over 30 years. In fact, the wages of the lowest-skilled workers have gone down 8% during that period, while wages for skilled workers have gone up over 40%.

Why would you pay an American citizen $20 an hour when you can hire an immigrant for $8?

When I came of age in the late ’50s in small town America, a young man fresh out of high school could get a good job, marry his high school sweetheart, buy a starter home and put a newer car in the garage and an older pick-up in the driveway. When the babies appeared, he could pay the bills. His wife could stay home raising their children. All this could be accomplished within a few years. These were America’s golden years. Immigration was at historic lows during this period of prosperity.

Over the past 40 years, unfettered immigration (legal and illegal) has almost destroyed the American Dream. Couples often cannot afford to get married even if they both are working. Childbearing is postponed because of the lack of funds to raise children. The once proud middle class is struggling. The dream of a better future for one’s children is disappearing.

I am not proposing totaling closing our borders. This country needs immigrants wishing to become Americans and live the American Dream. Immigrants will be needed to fill the jobs that the radical snowflake generation are too good for, or not qualified for.

The establishment of a national identity card would be a first step. One color card for American citizens, another for legal immigrants, allowing them to work, but not vote or qualify for social services.

Liberals will fight national ID cards to the death, declaring them racist. Liberals reject national ID cards because they know it will help end illegal voting. Please, tell me what services one can receive today without some type of ID card.

Is there a chance any real changes in immigration will be made? Not a snowball’s chance in hell — too many of America’s upper-class elites benefit directly from the cheap labor provided by illegals.

Sad state of affairs!

Don Sorensen

Albert Lea