Wal-Mart and Levi are some of the biggest contributors to these protesters

[fasttense]

Just heard on Lou Dobbs that Wal-Mart and Levi Strauss are two of the biggest contributors to these groups who have been organizing the immigrant protests.

I thought big corporations were in the middle of organizing these protests. They want to keep their cheap workers. Giving out citizenship to current illegals will ensure a continued supply of more illegal workers for these robber barons. The middle class gets screwed again. Thanks Wal-Mart.

[Hutzpa]

1. Do you have a problem with that? n/t

[fasttense]

15. Yeah I sure do. When everyone acts as if these protests

against immigration reform are spontaneous outpourings of civil dissent and they are not. They are nothing more than a group of people being organized by Wal-Mart so they can continue getting cheap labor.

And yes I know Levi doesn't make jeans in the US anymore but that is what was reported on Lou Dobbs. But if the reporter is correct and they are funding these protest groups you can bet that they are making something off it.

[otohara]

23. Did Dobbs Say How The Money Was Spent?

Spanish radio talk show hosts talked up these protests a lot - in just 2 weeks they were able to organize. Did Walmart buy spots? Pay for signs? How was the money spent?

Spanish-language media rally immigrants
GILLIAN FLACCUS
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - The marching orders were clear: Carry American flags and pack the kids, pick up your trash and wear white for peace and for effect.

Many of the 500,000 people who crammed downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest legislation that would make criminals out of illegal immigrants learned where, when and even how to demonstrate from the Spanish-language media.

For English-speaking America, the mass protests in Los Angeles and other U.S. cities over the past few days have been surprising for their size and seeming spontaneity.

But they were organized, promoted or publicized for weeks by Spanish-language radio hosts and TV anchors as a demonstration of Hispanic pride and power.

In Milwaukee, where at least 10,000 people rallied last week, one radio station manager called some employers to ask that they not fire protesters for skipping work. In Chicago, a demonstration that drew 100,000 people received coverage on local television more than a week in advance.

"This was a much bigger story for the Latino media," said Felix Gutierrez, a professor at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. "If the mainstream media had been paying better attention, there would not have been the surprise about the turnout."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14206421.htm

[Cobalt Violet]

25. I did notice everyone was wearing white t shirts.

That stood out as rather odd to me.

[Howardx]

2. what does levis need cheap labor for in america?

they dont make jeans here anymore.

edit.

the protest in my neighborhood was just high school kids, it didnt look very organized to me

[LostinVA]

26. Words out of my mouth -- they're mainly in Bangladesh

And were one of the first US companies to outsource their jobs.

I will say, however, they they don't allow young teenagers to work at their factories.

[Critters2]

3. No surprise that Wal-Mart is pro-cheap labor

What saddens me is how few Du'ers see cheap labor as the issue.

[malaise]

10. I certainly understand the cheap labor issue

but since the neoliberal and globalization policies promoted by Washington's World Bank and IMF have impoverished most developing countries, destroyed our unions, devalued our currencies, reduced wages of all (including professionals) and pretty much told our so called elected leaders that they cannot implement social policies for our citizens, droves of these citizens are now seeking jobs in the US.

Perhaps Grover, Friedman, Hayek, Nozick et al should have thought out those policies a little more carefully.

The bottom line is this is not a US problem; this is an international problem created as a result of policies thrust on the planet by so called international agencies who take orders from transnational corporations. People cannot afford to stay at home - why else would they take all those risks to get there and work for what are slave wages to you but are significant earnings which will help them educate their children back home.
Do a serious study of remittances from the US - Western Union would be a good place to start. It is US policies that have created this mess.

We either all collectively resist this madness or you all will suffer like the rest of us.

[Minnesota Libra]

4. Notice no one suggests tackling the problem at the borders?? nt

[High Plains]

8. Actually, all the bills on the table talk about border security.

[Minnesota Libra]

22. Oh really?? I'd like to think you're right but I'm skeptical. nt

[Solon]

5. That makes no sense...

Wal-Mart is costing Mexicans jobs as well, in addition, I thought that Levi Stauss makes there jeans in Singapore and other places, not Mexico, anymore, again costing these people their jobs on the OTHER side of the border. Why do we think they are here in the first place.

[fasttense]

16. Wal-Mart has been hiring illegals

through subcontracts and directly in their distribution centers.

[Cleita]

6. So now you know that no one on the right is going to

do anything meaningful to fix the problem. It's too nice of a gravy train for them. This is a wedge issue and nothing else.

[uppityperson]

7. link?

[fasttense]

17. Can't give you a link. He reported this on his show this evening.

But here is a link to his site. It should be in the transcripts in the morning.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

[uppityperson]

18. thank you.

nothing suprises me anymore.

[BrklynLiberal]

9. The main backer of the immigration bill is EWIC. Check out their website.

According to the book Censored 2006, recommended by Greg Palast and sold on his website, "The leading organization behind the guest worker legislation is EWIC, the essential worker immigration coalition". The group includes 36 of the country's most powerful employer associations, including walmart, the American health care association, restaurant and hotel, etc. Each of these members rely on workforces without benefits and working at or below minimum wage." "The largest US corporations, dependent on a steady supply of immigrants (read cheap labor) got the congress and pres to introduce this legislation.. This both denies workers their rights and creates an oversupply of labor to drive down wages for all workers, immigrant and non immigrant alike"

I don't think, at this moment, this issue should even be at the forefront of our nation's discussion. We have a war,we are losing our democracy, we have fraudulent elections, we are losing our civil rights one by one. This group was created in 1999 under the US chamber of commerce. Their goal is more profits. period. Instead of arguing amongst ourselves we should be exposing the real reasons why the issue is on the table.

There is no doubt ihn my mind that KKKarl Rove was at the meetings with these people working out the details of "Guest Worker Bill". This would provide them with cheap labor, higher profits, introduce a wedge issue into the November campaign, and cause the Dems to start fighting amongst themselves. A perfect storm for KKKarl!!!

When they say essential them mean CHEAP

http://www.ewic.org /

The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) is a coalition of businesses, trade associations, and other organizations from across the industry spectrum concerned with the shortage of both skilled and lesser skilled ("essential worker") labor. EWIC stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to push forward on important immigration reform issues.

EWIC supports policies that facilitate the employment of essential workers by U.S. companies and organizations. Current immigration law largely prevents the hiring of foreign essential workers. EWIC supports reform of US immigration policy to facilitate a sustainable workforce for the American economy while ensuring our national security and prosperity.


Membership list
American Health Care Association
American Hotel & Lodging Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Meat Institute
American Nursery & Landscape Association
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Staffing Association
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors
Associated Landscape Contractors of America
Building Service Contractors Association International
California Landscape Contractors Association
Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Radisson
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide and TGI Friday's
Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association
Federation of Employers & Workers of America
First Data
Harborside Healthcare Corporation
Ingersoll-Rand
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
International Franchise Association
Marriott International, Inc.
Nath Companies
National Association for Home Care
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
National Club Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National School Transportation Association
National Tooling & Machining Association
Outdoor Amusement Business Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association
Professional Lawn Care Association of America
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Society of American Florists
The Brickman Group, Ltd.
Tree Care Industry Association
Truckload Carriers Association
Tyson Foods, Inc.
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
US Chamber of Commerce


It would seem that WALMART and these protestors are on opposite sides of this issue. The only reason WALMART would underwrite them would be to create a public conflict. Anyone smell KKKarl Rove?

[fasttense]

20. Wow, you are a font of knowledge BrklynLiberal

I was asking last night if anyone knew who was funding these organizations. Thanks for the links.

[BrklynLiberal]

21. i learned about this right here on DU...

[slaveplanet]

29. As I said in the other thread

The VP of LaRaza was on Cspan this morning saying there was lots of radio and lots of organization(s) before the spontaneous part kicked in.

When queried about who funds LaRaza:

Federal Government
Corporations
Foundations

good cop- They're gonna kill your first born if ya don't get funky with the spontaneity right now

bad cop- we're gonna kill yo first born, burn yo casa, and throw y'all in camps

Chief of police- don't mind them, they was just playin. we'll let ya stay, heck call your buddies they can all stay too...just one thing, you'll have to take this microchip

[slaveplanet]

30. Nightline doing a piece right now

[JuniperLea]

11. That makes no sense to me whatsoever

If in fact they are wanting to keep cheap labor, why would they push for citizenship? Once the people become bona fide citizens, those companies have to pay them at least minimum wage.


:shrug:

[Hutzpa]

12. What people are failing to

realize is that every time the government seems to be into alot of problem they play the race card, works every time, its so easy and so simple, because us peasant are so easily fooled. They know we are a divided nation and so what better card to play than the race card, notice how CENSURE and IMPEACHMENT have been replaced with immigration topic, so simple.

[Vinnie From Indy]

13. Just get used to the idea that nation-states now take their orders

from global corporations. Politicians are commodities bought and sold on an open market.

[Terran1212]

14. The hyper wealthy are fighting on both sides of the debate

And who loses? Immigrants and workers.

[notadmblnd]

19. I was wondering who was behind them and why too.

thanks, that helps explain it.

[fishnfla]

24. Catholic Church has been agitating and advocating for this as well

Source: NYTimes

Gotta fill them pews, gotta fill them coffers, gotta get them to pull the anti-choice voting lever

[radio4progressives]

27. Lou Dobbs's reporting on this issue should be taken with a grain of salt

his over reactionarism on this slays me, i see what he's doing and naturally but it wasn't Wal Mart or Levi's my friend that organized these events. They may have helped to finance some of it, but they didn't organize it.

[Catrina]

28. I don't know about Lou Dobbs, but remember when Bush rescinded

the Davis/Bacon Act after he handed out no-bid contracts to his cronies to rebuild NO etc. after Katrina. This essentially allowed his rich friends to hire cheap labor, and when Americans who were working on projects at the time showed up for work one day, they were sent home, and carloads of other workers were brought in.

When employers were asked why this happened and whether the workers were documented, they did not answer ~

Then in a follow-up to that story, the undocumented workers (some of them) claimed that they were not paid, but because of their status, had no recourse. Cameras and reporters trying to get answers to questions about all this, were unable to do so. Then the story died.

Randi Rhodes, on a talk show with a rightwing talk show host, was unable to convince that woman that Bush had done this.

Even if, after five years, some of these people do get citizenship, more illegal workers will come in, and the previous group, now in a position to demand higher wages, will most likely be replaced as those in NOLA were. And the cycle will continue.

Imo, the only solution is to pass laws that insist on a livable wage for all workers and pressure needs to be put on the corrupt Mexican government to do the same.

Mexican workers are not the only ones, btw. That's another strange thing about this ~ the focus on Mexicans. One thing is for sure, without cheap labor, Walmart would not be building their gross structures all over the country ~