Who Will Do the Infrastructure Jobs?
Building and maintaining infrastructure are one of the key parts of President Obama’s plan to deal with our current economic problems, particularly unemployment. But many Americans are concerned, given recent statements by a top Obama economic advisor, about who will reap the benefits of newly created infrastructure jobs.
That advisor, Robert Reich, who served as labor secretary under President Clinton, spoke to the House Steering and Policy Committee on January 7. He said, “It seems to me that infrastructure spending is a very important and good way of stimulating the economy. . . . I am concerned, as many of you are, that these jobs not simply go to high skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers.” He added that he had “nothing against” white male construction workers, but “other people have . . . needs as well.” He mentioned “the long-term unemployed, minorities, and women.”
Reich comments are troubling to say the least. When we Americans contemplate the infrastructure we depend on, such as the bridges we drive over, we should hope that all without exception who build and repair that infrastructure, regardless of race or gender, are highly skilled and professional.
Troubling too was the response of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) to Reich’s statements. Apparently agreeing with the idea of favoring designated minorities, Rangel said that opposition from “the middle class” would not be a problem. “One thing you can depend on,” said Rangel, “you don’t have to be worried about what the middle-class is going to do. Things are so bad, they have to put food on their tables, get clothes for their kids, [and] get them in school.”
Does Rep. Rangel hope to slip a program through, allegedly to benefit minorities, which may give preference to “need” over competence? One hopes that “middle-class” America will not be so distracted that they fail to exercise oversight. With middle-class people losing jobs, they may need infrastructure work just as much as anyone else. Such oversight also could help minorities who are U.S. citizens.
Today, thanks to the hiring practices of unscrupulous contractors, a significant percentage of construction workers in the U.S. are illegal aliens. As the recession causes them to lose their jobs, will the Obama Administration allow them to take the infrastructure jobs, and cut out American citizens, minority and non-minority alike? The pro-illegal alien stance of the Obama administration does not inspire confidence in this matter.
If Americans of all classes and races want to reap whatever benefits the Obama program provides, they cannot afford to take their eyes of the administration—even if they are hurting. And finally, as our previous blog observed, if Obama is really serious about maintaining infrastructure, he ought to cut immigration to relieve the burden of unrelenting numbers now placed on infrastructure.