Expanding Trade Has Delivered Better U.S. Jobs, Raised Standards of Living
KANSAS CITY (PRNewswire), October 28, 2007 - Expanding trade, far from adversely affecting American workers, has improved jobs and living standards in the United States, according to a recent study released by the Cato Institute.
"Opponents of trade liberalization have sought to indict free trade and trade agreements by painting a grim picture of the economic state of American workers and households," said author Daniel Griswold. "This study finds that by any reasonable measure, American workers and families are better off than during comparable periods in the past, and expanding engagement in the global economy has played an important role in the ongoing, upward trend in American employment and living standards,"
In "Trading Up: How Expanding Trade has Delivered Better Jobs and Higher Living Standards for American Workers," the author explores the various arguments advanced by trade critics and finds that the facts do not support them.
Trade has not caused a net loss of jobs in the U.S. economy, and accounts for only 3 percent of annual job displacement. Further, the study shows that "between 1997 and the first half of 2007, the U.S. labor market did in fact shed a net 3.3 million manufacturing jobs, but that has been overwhelmed by a net gain of 11.6 million jobs in sectors where the average wage is higher than in manufacturing."
Critics claim that the "average real wage" has declined since the 1970s, but this study shows that the average real wage is a flawed measure. A more accurate measure of earnings is "real hourly compensation," which takes into account not only wages but benefits. "In the decade since 1997, as the U.S. economy has become more globalized, real compensation per hour for American workers has risen by 22 percent." The study also finds that household income has been rising and middle-class families have been moving up the income ladder.
The author concludes: "To promote further progress for American workers and households, Congress and the administration should pursue policies that expand the freedom of Americans to participate in global markets."
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Blunt Offers Support to Prosecutors to Enforce Laws Against Illegal Immigration
KANSAS CITY (SLFP.com), October 28, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt has sent a letter to Missouri prosecutors offering his support in their efforts to enforce a state law against illegal immigration.
In the letter to Missouri prosecutors, Gov. Blunt outlined an important state law at their disposal to help tackle illegal immigration. Section 285.025 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri declares employers of illegal immigrants ineligible for state tax credits, tax abatements, or loans. Subsection 285.025.2 makes the receipt of tax credits in violation of Section 285.025 a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison.
"I will not stand by while Washington fails to take action. This summer, I took several steps to combat illegal immigration in our state," Gov. Blunt wrote in a letter to Missouri prosecutors. "I strongly support the jurisdiction of local prosecutors, and I am confident that you have the power to use this law at your discretion. Though the statute confers jurisdiction on the attorney general of our state, it does not preclude prosecution by county prosecutors. Given that the attorney general has yet to bring a case to enforce this law, it is left to you, as the chief prosecutor for your jurisdiction, to enforce the law in your county. My administration stands ready to assist any prosecutor to the greatest extent allowed by law in bringing criminal charges against corporations or individuals who flout our federal and state laws by hiring illegal immigrants."
A new Internet database created under Blunt's watch makes it easier than ever before to learn who is receiving state tax credits. This new tool, the Missouri Accountability Portal, coupled with assistance from state agencies will aide prosecutors as much as possible under federal law to bring charges in these cases. At his direction, Gov. Blunt's administration is currently working with ICE for authority under Section 287g of the Immigration and Nationality Act that would deputize state law enforcement officers to enforce federal laws and protect Missourians against illegal immigration. The agreement will allow select troopers, Capitol Police, and water patrol officers to help enforce immigration laws.
The governor also directed state law enforcement agencies to verify the immigration status of every criminal presented for incarceration.
The letter follows the governor's tough stand against illegal immigration and workers. Earlier this year Gov. Blunt ousted a state contractor who hired illegal workers and ordered state agencies to enact a no tolerance policy through tough new contract protections. The governor cancelled the state's contract with Sam's Janitorial Services and barred them from doing further business with the state after local and federal law enforcement agencies identified dozens of suspected illegal immigrants working under falsified documents.
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Unrealistic Expectations Could Lead to Broken Retirement Dreams for Younger Generations
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