MAY 15th. DON'T BUY GAS(A thread gone awry and moved)

[Architect]

Has anybody heard that there is a protest not to buy gas on May 15th...?
To send a message to the Big Oil companies...
It's been posted on the internet and on several emails...
I don't know where it started, but I'm not buying gas on May 15th...:mad2:
Architect

[Bluerauder]

Has anybody heard that there is a protest not to buy gas on May 15th...?
To send a message to the Big Oil companies...
Architect

15 May is a Tuesday. I never buy gas on a Tuesday anyway. ;)

It is doubtful that such a "protest" will have any effect since it will only be a one-day spike. Unless you park your car for a whole day, you are just gonna get Tuesday's gas a day earlier or a day later. At the end of the month, the net effect is the same.

A better way to lodge this protest would be to target one of the specific companies with the most outrageous profit levels and boycott that particular brand for a week, or a month, or whatever. That might have a more noticeable impact. Who knows !!

[Breadfan]

Yeah that'll work, they'll see lower profits for one day and put in a 30-day 15cent price hike.

;)

[KillJoy]

A better way to lodge this protest would be to target one of the specific companies with the most outrageous profit levels and boycott that particular brand for a week, or a month, or whatever. That might have a more noticeable impact. Who knows !!


THAT would be nice!!! Too bad it will NEVER happen.

My Father-In-Law ALWAYS fills his Lexus RX-330 w/ BP 93. His reasoning "it makes it run good"

Folks like him, makes Big Oil happy :rolleyes:

KillJoy

[Pops]

What kind of gas do you use Steve?

[SC Cheesehead]

It is doubtful that such a "protest" will have any effect since it will only be a one-day spike. Unless you park your car for a whole day, you are just gonna get Tuesday's gas a day earlier or a day later. At the end of the month, the net effect is the same.

Agreed.



specific companies with the most outrageous profit levels

Out of curiousity, what's considered an outrageous profit level?

SCCH

[KillJoy]

What kind of gas do you use Steve?

Beater = Cheap Stuff

Grand Am = Cheap Stuff

Marauder (aka Garage Queen) = Sunoco 94, or a reputable 93

I have put less than 6,000 mile on the MM in the last 16 Months...

KillJoy

[Bluerauder]

Out of curiousity, what's considered an outrageous profit level?

SCCH
Personally, I would consider something in the 8-10% range to be reasonable. Some industries work well in the 5% range. Let's give the oil companies the benefit of the doubt. OK?

So, when they raise prices each year in February-March and again just before summer, and then have the unmitigated gall to announce record high profits in the 25-33% range ------ that is OUTRAGEOUS. :mad2:

[pantheroc]

Why don't they dump that profit into their "lack of refinery capacity" issue or more exploration domestically?

[J-MAN]

Has anybody heard that there is a protest not to buy gas on May 15th...?
To send a message to the Big Oil companies...
It's been posted on the internet and on several emails...
I don't know where it started, but I'm not buying gas on May 15th...:mad2:
Architect


They got the message. It's-we got them by the cahones.

[Leadfoot281]

Why don't they dump that profit into their "lack of refinery capacity" issue or more exploration domestically?

"Environmentalists" are against drilling in Alaska and against more refineries. They don't seem to mind ethanol plants though. Those things are popping up like weeds in my neck of the woods.

Also, the Federal Government makes more money out of a gallon of gas than do the oil companies. That's cool though... we all love the Government. They deserve all the money they make. They are always real carefull with it too.:rolleyes:

[SMOKE]

Hmmph, that's my birthday....guess no b-day fill up!:P

JWM

[sailsmen]

Personally, I would consider something in the 8-10% range to be reasonable. Some industries work well in the 5% range. Let's give the oil companies the benefit of the doubt. OK?

So, when they raise prices each year in February-March and again just before summer, and then have the unmitigated gall to announce record high profits in the 25-33% range ------ that is OUTRAGEOUS. :mad2:

5% profit guarrantees you will go out of business.

Pray the economy slows down, pray that we are allowed to drill off the coast of a state other than LA and pray that a new refinery is allowed to be built.
These things will reduce the price of oil.

[baltimoremm]

I've started drilling for oil in my backyard, and I'm going to refine my own gas in my kitchen.

[MENINBLK]

What you really need to do is to buy all of your fuel from companies
that source their crude from resources other than Terrorist Supporting Nations.

[jawz101]

China recently dug up 2.2 billion barrels of crude. It is roughly equal to what they consume in one year. Just thought it was interesting considering they're one of the world's largest consumers of oil

Seattle Times - link (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2003 640756&zsection_id=2002107549&slug=chinaoil29&date=20070329)

[Raudermaster]

I'll make sure I fill up on the 14th.

[Dragcity]

It's a bunch of Hooey. Not worth the space in cyberspace....

[Haggis]

This has been posted on the site before, boycott this oil company or that oil company. It will not work for one day, one week or even one month. Gas is one thing we have become dependent on and no matter what you do it will not work. If I need gas on May 15th, guess what? I will be buying gas on May 15th.

If you really want to do something that will make a difference, buy stock in the oil companies. I did a long time ago and am making a killing right now. In fact you can say they pay me to buy gas.

[Marauder]

I remember seeing this like 5+ years ago and every year it seems to have no effect.

Unless one major compnay is targeted, like Bluerauder said, nothing will happen.

[SC Cheesehead]

5% profit guarrantees you will go out of business.

Pray the economy slows down, pray that we are allowed to drill off the coast of a state other than LA and pray that a new refinery is allowed to be built.
These things will reduce the price of oil.

Yup, nailed it right on the head.

Anybody interested in more info on the cost components of a gallon of gas, check out: http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html

SCCH

[Aren Jay]

Big Oil companies are good.

Big Oil built Calgary.

Calgary is the cleanest city in the world.

Calgary is the nicest place to live.

Just don't try and buy a house here.

[Bluerauder]

Has anybody heard that there is a protest not to buy gas on May 15th...?
To send a message to the Big Oil companies...
Architect
Yep, the oil companies got the message "Loud and Clear" and they sent another one right back. :rolleyes: I think it was the equivalent of STFU from Big Oil. :P

Gas was priced at $3.099 on 14 May for Sunoco 93. By the end of the week it was $3.259. That's a 16 cent increase in 4 days. Let's not send THAT message again. ;) ..... OK??

[knine]

They prepared for it here. On the 14th, at 8 amish, it went up 34 cents a gallon, to get the crowd buying early. It never went down, Chicago area is paying nationwide high prices.

[Vortex]

I remember the "To Hell with Shell" boycott in the late 70's. Did nothing. The main issue is the lack of pressure on big oil to use just a portion of their profits to build new refineries. That "it takes seven years of red tape" is a lame excuse and total BS by the way.

[larryo340]

What might work is to boycott one brand of gasoline indefenetly. One day or one week will not hurt big oil companies. But if no one buys from them at all for a long time they might feel a little pinch.

[sailsmen]

What will work is contacting your Congressman to open up drilling and refining.

There is only so much oil off the coast of LA. My father placed the ins on the last refinery built in the USA in 1978!

Ask your state to reduce it's tax rate on gas.

[MENINBLK]

If you send the 12 million illegal immigrants home,
you'll see the price of gas drop in 2 months.

[dwasson]

If you send the 12 million illegal immigrants home,
you'll see the price of gas drop in 2 months.

While I agree with sending the wetbacks home, the connection to gas prices escapes me. But I am willing to make the connection in conversation if it gets the gummint to send the wetbacks home.

[Bigdogjim]

What might work is to boycott one brand of gasoline indefenetly. One day or one week will not hurt big oil companies. But if no one buys from them at all for a long time they might feel a little pinch.

Yes this will work pick one major company and send a message!!

After they see the profits drop the price will also. Then other companys will follow.

[Bluerauder]

Yes this will work pick one major company and send a message!!

After they see the profits drop the price will also. Then other companys will follow.

I think that I said this \/\/\/\/ back on Post #2 to this thread. My pick is EXXON-MOBIL 'cause they seem to be the most "in your face" about price increases and record profit announcements.


A better way to lodge this protest would be to target one of the specific companies with the most outrageous profit levels and boycott that particular brand for a week, or a month, or whatever. That might have a more noticeable impact. Who knows !!

[oldekid]

Thanks guys, it's higher then ever. Let's do it again on June 35th.
:mad2:

[superford3]

it will never work the oil companies have way more power than that

[Aren Jay]

If you want to send a message to the Oil companies don't buy gas period. Either convert your Marauder to natural gas, it's by product is heat and water, or drain it and park it in your living room. That will send a message to the oil companies, except that they are also the natural gas companies so not too big a message.

[Aren Jay]

Thanks guys, it's higher then ever. Let's do it again on June 35th.
:mad2:

Our provincial government holds a really important meeting every February 30th. I keep getting invitations asking if I want to attend.

[Shora]

If you send the 12 million illegal immigrants home,
you'll see the price of gas drop in 2 months.

It might lower the price for a short while but demand will catch up to supply soon enough anyways. Plus it will increase the price for almost everything else from food to construction.

Also, the type of money that it takes to send 12 MILLION people home as you suggest will cost you much more in increased taxes to pay for such an endeavor.

Governments are incompetent; with all the money in the world I doubt that they will be successful.

In the end, the fuel prices "may" drop for a while, but you will pay greatly in the long run.


While I agree with sending the wetbacks home, the connection to gas prices escapes me. But I am willing to make the connection in conversation if it gets the gummint to send the wetbacks home.

Wetbacks eh?

Since you are clearly not of Native American decent, I wonder what racist terms your ancestors faced when they immigrated here and if they will be proud to hear you speak of poor and hungry people in such ways.

Don't give me that crap about them immigrating here legally either. Those people are only trying to feed their families just like ALL our ancestors did. The only difference is that when ours came the laws were much more simple (apply, pay a minimal fee and in a matter of months one was legal).

Now, people have to wait YEARS while their families starve. I doubt that my ancestors or even YOURS would have waited while watching their kids cry of hunger.

I bet you wouldn't have the balls to call them wetbacks to their face you racist fool!

NOTE:

I do NOT agree with open borders. Close them and/ or place enforcement officers on the border with the latest technology available.

However, don't think that deporting the illegal immigrants will save you any money in the long run, is even possible, or fair (under current law they are only guilty of a misdemeanor).

[larryo340]

don't deport them, make them citizens then tax 'em, draft 'em, and make them pay thier way just like the rest of us.

[Shora]

don't deport them, make them citizens then tax 'em, draft 'em, and make them pay thier way just like the rest of us.

Many of them are already paying taxes under fake Social Security Numbers. This is worse for them because they pay into the system but can never claim a return. With the little money that many of them make, it hurts them more than most not getting a return like the rest of us.

Those who don't pay taxes would LOVE to pay if just given an opportunity to do so.

I don't know about the drafting part. The Men and Women in Uniform are the best of America but they were not drafted.

[larryo340]

Many of them are already paying taxes under fake Social Security Numbers. This is worse for them because they pay into the system but can never claim a return. With the little money that many of them make, it hurts them more than most not getting a return like the rest of us.

Those who don't pay taxes would LOVE to pay if just given an opportunity to do so.

I don't know about the drafting part. The Men and Women in Uniform are the best of America but they were not drafted.
What's up with the fake SS #,
why and how ??
Mandatory draft for new citizens of age, they do not need to go to war, but they should serve the country in some capacity

[dwasson]

Wetbacks eh?

Since you are clearly not of Native American decent, I wonder what racist terms your ancestors faced when they immigrated here and if they will be proud to hear you speak of poor and hungry people in such ways.

The bulk of my ancestors in the US were fithy micks, stupid germans, and the odd misguided indian.



Don't give me that crap about them immigrating here legally either. Those people are only trying to feed their families just like ALL our ancestors did. The only difference is that when ours came the laws were much more simple (apply, pay a minimal fee and in a matter of months one was legal).

Now, people have to wait YEARS while their families starve. I doubt that my ancestors or even YOURS would have waited while watching their kids cry of hunger.

A nation should choose their immigrants based on the value to teh nation and not the need of the immigrants. Wetbacks, or illegals if you prefer (I refuse to call them undocumented. They did not leave their papers in their other pants.), drive down labor rates, disrupt neighborhoods, and bring enormous costs to the areas where they settle. The depression of labor rates was best demonstrated a few months ago. The INS raided a meat packing plant in GA. The plant tried to replace the workers at $8 per hour and could not find workers. When they raised the pay to $11 they found locals to do the work. When large numbers of immigrants settle into the same neighborhoods the pressure to assimilate is reduced. This results in an enclave of people who do not learn english and do not think of themselves as american.




I bet you wouldn't have the balls to call them wetbacks to their face you racist fool!


Why shouldn't I call them wetbacks to their faces? Are they dangerous? Should I be worried about violence? If I call an american a gringo they seldom attack me. I wonder if that indicates an emotional stability that is lacking in the illegals. After all, they are lawbreakers.



NOTE:

I do NOT agree with open borders. Close them and/ or place enforcement officers on the border with the latest technology available.

However, don't think that deporting the illegal immigrants will save you any money in the long run, is even possible, or fair (under current law they are only guilty of a misdemeanor).


Explain to me why I owe the illegals anything. What claim do they have to public treasure?

If this new immigration proposal had come to pass there would have been a low cost "Z" visa. This visa would allow an alienn to live in the country with an ID so that they can partake in the good parts of our society but they would not have to pay income taxes or social security. If that law had passed I had intended to see if I could get a "Z" visa. It sounded like a good deal.

[SC Cheesehead]

Many of them are already paying taxes under fake Social Security Numbers. This is worse for them because they pay into the system but can never claim a return. With the little money that many of them make, it hurts them more than most not getting a return like the rest of us.

Those who don't pay taxes would LOVE to pay if just given an opportunity to do so.

I don't know about the drafting part. The Men and Women in Uniform are the best of America but they were not drafted.

Anyone interested in the cost of low-skill immigration on the US taxpayer, check out the following link:
http://www.heritage.org/research/immigration/SR14es.cfm

$89 BILLION per year folks...how many cab rides would that buy for a trip back across the border?:rolleyes:

SCCH

[Shora]

The bulk of my ancestors in the US were fithy micks, stupid germans, and the odd misguided indian.

A nation should choose their immigrants based on the value to teh nation and not the need of the immigrants. Wetbacks, or illegals if you prefer (I refuse to call them undocumented. They did not leave their papers in their other pants.), drive down labor rates, disrupt neighborhoods, and bring enormous costs to the areas where they settle. The depression of labor rates was best demonstrated a few months ago. The INS raided a meat packing plant in GA. The plant tried to replace the workers at $8 per hour and could not find workers. When they raised the pay to $11 they found locals to do the work. When large numbers of immigrants settle into the same neighborhoods the pressure to assimilate is reduced. This results in an enclave of people who do not learn english and do not think of themselves as american. Very good point just know that the costs get passed back to us, the consumers.

Also, it does disappoint me greatly that people can live here, claim they want to stay here and never learn English.


Why shouldn't I call them wetbacks to their faces? Are they dangerous? Should I be worried about violence? If I call an american a gringo they seldom attack me. I wonder if that indicates an emotional stability that is lacking in the illegals. After all, they are lawbreakers.



Explain to me why I owe the illegals anything. What claim do they have to public treasure?

If this new immigration proposal had come to pass there would have been a low cost "Z" visa. This visa would allow an alienn to live in the country with an ID so that they can partake in the good parts of our society but they would not have to pay income taxes or social security. If that law had passed I had intended to see if I could get a "Z" visa. It sounded like a good deal. Now that right there is funny!


I agree with a lot of what you said here.

Can we agree that the main reason that illegal immigration got out of control as a result of our government deliberately looking the other way when it came to illegal immigrants because big business wanted cheap labor?

[dwasson]

Can we agree that the main reason that illegal immigration got out of control as a result of our government deliberately looking the other way when it came to illegal immigrants because big business wanted cheap labor?

When I hear the word bipartisan I assume that they have developed a particularly creative way to screw me. What makes the pressure for an immigration amnesty bipartisan is that the big business whore wing of the GOP gets to pander to their base, who seeks cheap labor, and the race pimp Dems get to pander to their base, who know that most hispanics (except Cubans) tend to vote Dem.

[Shora]

When I hear the word bipartisan I assume that they have developed a particularly creative way to screw me. What makes the pressure for an immigration amnesty bipartisan is that the big business whore wing of the GOP gets to pander to their base, who seeks cheap labor, and the race pimp Dems get to pander to their base, who know that most hispanics (except Cubans) tend to vote Dem.

Exactly.123456789

[Bigdogjim]

I think that I said this \/\/\/\/ back on Post #2 to this thread. My pick is EXXON-MOBIL 'cause they seem to be the most "in your face" about price increases and record profit announcements.

Yes Blue I agree this is the only way it will work, pick one BIG company and do not buy their gas. Watch prices drop in the comming months.

[Bluerauder]

Anyone interested in the cost of low-skill immigration on the US taxpayer, check out the following link:
http://www.heritage.org/research/immigration/SR14es.cfm

SCCH
Very Interesting ^^^^ article. Thanks. I found the part below to be most enlightening .....



At $19,588, the average annual fiscal deficit for low-skill immigrant households was nearly twice the amount of taxes paid. In order for the average low-skill household to be fiscally solvent (taxes paid equaling immediate benefits received), it would be necessary to eliminate Social Security and Medicare, all means-tested welfare, and to cut expenditures on public education roughly in half.

American families often are net tax payers during working age and net tax takers (benefits exceeding taxes) dur*ing retirement. This is not the case for low-skill immigrant households; in these households benefits substantially exceed taxes at every age level. Consequently, low-skill immigrant households impose substantial long-term costs on the U.S. taxpayer. Assuming an average adult life span of 60 years for each head of household, the average lifetime costs to the taxpayer will be nearly $1.2 million for each low-skill household for immediate benefits received minus all taxes paid.

[duhtroll]

Consider this -

IIRC (only heard from the radio so who knows how accurate) the $5000 "fine" being imposed on illegals as part of their proposed "legalization" or whatever you want to call it . . .

Most won't pay it, and those that do will do so involuntarily. Remember these are the ones already here who could be already starting their citizenship process if they really wanted, so we are generally talking about those who choose to remain illegal for the most part (bureaucratic obstacles notwithstanding).

How will "we" be getting this money from them? They'll have to work it off in some manner. What a great excuse to force labor with no pay. There was another term for such indentured servitude in our not too distant past.

Our current administration would call this, combined with the removed need for deporting all of them, a "win-win."

I'm in favor of kicking them out, yet I also agree it isn't feasible since they don't want to go (who would?) and that takes even more resources IMO. I also agree this is a mess our own government has created, but maybe this was the design all along? Get some free labor out of the deal? If the exploitation is "legal", do we get to call it as such?

And on the other side of the coin, how long before we hear the "Yo tengo un sueno" speech?

Just a thought. Who knows if it will come to pass.

[dwasson]

Even better than kicking them out is to stop people from hiring them

What if every company knew that everyone in the chain of command from the foreman to president had a serious risk of jail time for hiring illegals, either knowingly or negligently? I'd even be willing to let a few violent criminals out of jail to keep those guys in. Murderers are not the threat to the nation that these weasels are.

[sailsmen]

I sent the following to my Congressmen.

Also please note upon the current bill being passed the 12-20 million illegals
are automatically legal and their family members can now legally migrate to the
USA. W/in 2 years there will be 50-80 million "illegal immigrants" who do not
write, speak or read english and most of whom do not write or read spanish.
Most are not interested in learning english or becoming US citizens, this is
why they carry a Mexican flag, carry spanish signs and make their demands in
spanish. Most of those who carried US flags were told to do so by the
organizers.

This is the "Reconquistador" by Mexico of the USA.

As my Representative please vote against any bill that gives amnesty to illegal
immigrants.

The only viable solution is to enforce the existing immigration laws.

The reason Mexico is a country w/ few economic opportunities is because of
Mexicans who are either corrupt or tolerating corruption.

Send the 20% of Mexicans that are in the US illegally back to Mexico and Mexico
will begin a transformation with in 6 months. President Eisenhower did it with
operation "Wet Back".

Allow illegal immigrants to continue to come to the US as an option to staying
in Mexico and changing their own country and Mexico will never have economic
opportunities for it's citizens.

We are supporting the corruption of Mexico, which is resulting in many Mexicans
being trapped in poverty.

Please vote for the current immigration laws to be enforced and increase the
penalties to employers for hiring illegal immigrants.

[sailsmen]

I beleive the above will work, a similar bill to the one proposed for 3mil illegals was passed in 1986 and all I did was result in what we have today.

As far as illegals being harmless the violent crime rate is very high among illegals. A girl I grew up with was 8 months pregnant and killed by a car full a drunk illegals in Texas. They had been deported several times, did not have a DL, read or speak english. I miss her.

[Leadfoot281]

Ann Coulter has the best idea so far.

She said "Build a fence on the border". When asked about the tremendous expense in building that fence she replied; "Hire illegals to build it. I hear they work cheap."

She was then asked about the millions of illegals already here. "When they turn up, send them back".

Basically, they don't have to be rounded up by Thursday.

Everyone in Washington seems to think that since we can't round up millions of illegals in a couple days, they should get amnesty. If this "logic" was applied to everything else, drugs (as well as any other criminal activity) would be legal too.

Can't stop it=make it legal?

Write your congressmen and senators soon if you actually care about this issue. Do it soon.

[Leadfoot281]

Anyone else read Ann Coulters column today?






Ann, if you're following this thread (and I'm pretty certain you are) will you marry me?

Please!!!! Pretty please? :bows:

[dwasson]

Ann, if you're following this thread (and I'm pretty certain you are) will you marry me?

Please!!!! Pretty please? :bows:

I figure the avatar will clinch it for you. She'll see that picture and have an uncontrollable urge to spawn.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/danwasson/Coulter.jpg

But you do understand that you will have to fight Woaface for her. And he's learning how to be a soldier .... and Air Force weenie true, but still a soldier.

[Bluerauder]

But you do understand that you will have to fight Woaface for her. And he's learning how to be a soldier .... and Air Force weenie true, but still a soldier.
"Woaface" is history. His profile is now "AmnGrueser".

[dwasson]

"Woaface" is history. His profile is now "AmnGrueser".

We should warn him about Leadfoot.

[SC Cheesehead]

"Woaface" is history. His profile is now "AmnGrueser".


AmnGrueser? What hath we wrought? :o

SCCH

[Leadfoot281]

I figure the avatar will clinch it for you. She'll see that picture and have an uncontrollable urge to spawn.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/danwasson/Coulter.jpg

But you do understand that you will have to fight Woaface for her. And he's learning how to be a soldier .... and Air Force weenie true, but still a soldier.


First off, Thanks for the new wallpaper for my computor Dan! I need a cold shower. :banana: Ann and her equally beautifull M1911 has now replaced my old Ronald Reagon wallpaper.

Secondly, I've already been in the Army. I call dibs! Woaface is just gonna have to wait 'til she dumps me.

And finally, my avatar is just a reminder to people not to take anything I say too seriously. Ann, however, is still allowed to quote me in her column all she wants.

There! Now this thread is really awry! :P

[BruteForce]

Ann and her equally beautifull M1911 has now replaced my old Ronald Reagon wallpaper.

That is NOT an M1911. It is an M9 (http://www.army.mil/fact_files_site/m-9_pistol/index.html). Yeesh.


Ann Coulter has the personality of a dish mop and the temperament of a wounded badger. And the face to match.

[knine]

I think I love her.

[duhtroll]

Aw, c'mon, Brute --

She makes for some wonderful entertainment when she's off her meds.

Or on them, whichever. And you forgot to mention the Adam's apple.


That is NOT an M1911. It is an M9 (http://www.army.mil/fact_files_site/m-9_pistol/index.html). Yeesh.


Ann Coulter has the personality of a dish mop and the temperament of a wounded badger. And the face to match.

[SC Cheesehead]

I think I love her.


X2!!!

SCCH

[duhtroll]

Dude . . .

You know she used to be a guy, right?

:P


X2!!!

SCCH

[Leadfoot281]

Ooops! I mis-identified her pistol. I must be going blind... Mom always told me this would happen.

[dwasson]

Ooops! I mis-identified her pistol. I must be going blind... Mom always told me this would happen.

You were supposed to stop when you needed glasses.

[dwasson]

From: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/capitalcommerce/070521/a_day_without_mexicans.htm

A Day Without Mexicans

Does the American economy really need low-skilled, low-wage Mexican immigrants? We sure do, according to the 2004 film A Day Without a Mexican. The satirical movie imagines what would happen to California if suddenly 14 million of its citizens of Mexican descent up and disappeared. As the film's website puts it:


"As time goes by, the State continues to deteriorate: Garbage has taken over the streets, and tears are permanently painted on the faces of most citizens as the 5th largest economy in the world tumbles. The realization that what has disappeared is the very thing that keeps the "California Dream" running–cooks, gardeners, policemen, nannies, doctors, farm and construction workers, entertainers, athletes, as well as the largest growing market of consumers–has turned Latinos and their return into the number one priority in the State."Of course, the instantaneous disappearance of 14 million people of any ethnicity or race would be pretty disruptive, I would imagine. But the purpose of the film is to remind the rest of America how much immigrants contribute to society. Can you put a dollar figure on that? According to an often-cited 1997 study by the National Academy of Sciences, immigrants of all varieties add as much as $10 billion to the economy each year, primarily because of lower consumer prices caused by a decline in wages for low-skilled nonimmigrant workers.

But what do low-skilled immigrants cost America? Everything has its costs, of course. According to a new analysis by Robert Rector of the conservative Heritage Foundation, the average low-skilled immigrant household received $30,160 in direct benefits, means-tested benefits, education, and other services from all levels of government in 2004.

By contrast, low-skill immigrant households paid only $10,573 in taxes that year, meaning the average low-skill household had a fiscal deficit of $19,588. And what about retirement costs? Rector estimates that if all the current adult illegal immigrants in the United States were granted amnesty, the net retirement costs to government (benefits minus taxes) could be over $2.5 trillion.

A 2003 analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas concluded that while high-skilled immigration had "good economic effects"–it added to economic growth and helped government finances–low-skilled immigration was more of a mixed picture. "The economic benefits are there as well but have to be balanced against the fiscal impact, which is likely negative," explained economist Pia Orrenius.

But doesn't America need low-skilled immigrants to do the jobs Americans won't? Well, one could certainly argue that at higher wages, American would do those jobs. A 2004 study by Harvard economist George Borjas concluded that from 1980 to 2000, immigration reduced the average annual earnings of native-born men by $1,700, or nearly 4 percent. For the poorest tenth of the workforce, the reduction was 7.4 percent.

And those higher wages wouldn't necessarily send prices out of control. The $10 billion immigrants add to the economy mostly through lower prices is just a drop in the bucket for a $13 trillion economy. And a 1996 study by a pair of Iowa State economists found that the removal of illegal workers from the seasonal agricultural workforce would increase supermarket produce prices by about 6 percent in the short run and 3 percent in the intermediate term.

During the winter-spring seasons, prices would rise more than 3 percent in the short term and less than 2 percent in the intermediate term. Imports would increase about 1 percent. Indeed, a reduction in the supply of low-wage workers would force many industries to turn to automation to maintain or increase productivity.

[Richy04]

The best way to "F" them is to pick one company a month and not buy gas from them.

Lets make this month "No Exxon month" watch how fast this fixes their asses... Richy

[SC Cheesehead]

Dude . . .

You know she used to be a guy, right?

:P

Uh, no??

When did this happen?:o

SCCH