As Man Eegee pointed out in his diary on Russell Pearce this morning, the immigration furor does nothing to address the “underlying economic issues that are plaguing the lower classes of all the nations.” National boundaries mean nothing to corporations. They are simply another factor to be evaluated in maximizing profits. If it is more profitable to be an “American” company, fine, let’s do it. Otherwise, set up off-shore or move the “home office” to other country.
But workers do not have the same options. They are bound to their native countries. The anti-immigration rhetoric uses loaded, emotional language to pit the workers of America against workers from outside the country. Who benefits? Neither set of workers, of course. These are the same tactics historically used by the Klan to turn poor whites against poor blacks. Controlling labor is the key issue.
A key question seems to be, How can workers unite across international boundaries to attempt to exert some pressure on globally transient corporations? I’m not as widely informed on the contemporary labor scene as others here. Are there on-going efforts toward this end? What overtures are being being made to Chinese workers? Any hope for a new IWW? How has the EU affected worker mobility across national lines in Europe?
Thoughts on the immigration debate (Thanks to Man Eegee)
