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>I didn't knew of that, (not old enough) but it is certainly an idea worth looking at. I believe President Fox of Mexico is trying to push that with George W., we'll see what comes out of that.
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>>Living in California I have seen a lot of this. The State had a program some time back to have unemployed people receiving state unemployment to work as farm workers. Within the entire state of California, it was reported that one person signed up, went to work in the Central Valley, and did not come back the second day - the work was too damn hard. The Mexican illegal immigrants live under horrible conditions doing this king of work, and sleep on the ground! They do this to survive, which increases the profit margins for farm owners (many large corporations). It has been stated if we did not have this source of labor the farmers would go out of business and our prices for produce would increase.
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>>Did you know that California produces 25% of the nations produce? This has been true since 1928. A lot of people are not aware of that fact. We had a bracero program in California, under Governor Pat Brown. I have a very good friend who worked as a bracero during this period. Mexicans who wished to work in California would sign a contract to work for a specific period and for an specific farm. They were given housing, and food. Whole families were involved and children of families were sent to local public schools. Transportation was paid by the farm owners to and from Mexico. The state of California inspected farms with contract workers to be sure everything was being done under the law.
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>>At the end of the season/contract, the workers would return home with the money they earned and were able to enjoy a better standard of living. In the mid 1960’s the program was discontinued as it was considered “raciest”. Now we see things on the media about how these people have to live to make a few dollars. Someone should wake up!
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>>By the way my friend who was a bracero (illegal immigrant) went back to Mexico, got his papers in order and returned to the United States, legally. He went to work and by hard work became a Tool and Die Maker. He became a citizen of the United States, property owner (several houses) and is one hell of a man in my book!
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>>Tom
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I think President Fox is a breath of fresh air to his country. I hope he is allowed to do his job as he sees fit. Our community should support him - after all - he is a Fox!

Tom