This article from the USA Today reminded me of that..ahem..disagreement we had a few classes ago about the power of the market versus the power of government. (Just to clarify, I'm not an anarchist, I promise).
The article focuses on the recent decline in illegal immigration numbers and the causes for this drop. Apparently, the main reason for the decrease in the number of illegal border crossings isn't the increase in National Guard troops, as Bush would so proudly proclaim. Rather, lower numbers in illegal immigrants are most likely due to the decreasing attractiveness of the US economy. While most sectors of the US economy are flourishing, or at least maintaining, the US housing market has been in a tail spin since the beginning of last year. Seeing as the construction industry is one of the largest employers of illegal aliens, it's not too far-fetched to link a dwindling housing market with a slowing of illegal immigration from Mexico.
Well, it seems like in this case the market trumps the government in its ability to most effectively changing the actions of others. Another case in point that the market just does it better.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
And to Sandy, Monica says: "NEENER NEENER NEENER!"
Maybe I'd buy what you're peddling if politicians decided that illegal immigration from Mexico was a bad thing and that slowing down the housing market would curb this illegal immigration.
Markets may be effective, but are they always effective at doing what people intend?
Post a Comment