So I take it this the reason conservatives who support amnesty and immigration reform do so? From a WSJ op-ed about Bob Funk who owns and operates a highly successful employment service:
The primary jobs problem today, Mr. Funk says, is that too many workers are functionally unemployable because of attitude, behavior or lack of the most basic work skills. One discouraging statistic is that only about one of six workers who comes to Express seeking employment makes the cut. He recites a company statistic that about one in four applicants can't even pass a drug test.That's a pretty disturbing picture of America's young, non-immigrant workforce. Three out of four applicants can't even pass a drug test? Wow. I guess we are doomed. No 'greatest generation' on the horizon here.
"In my 40-some years in this business, the biggest change I've witnessed is the erosion of the American work ethic. It just isn't there today like it used to be," Mr. Funk says. Asked to define "work ethic," he replies that it's fairly simple but vital on-the-job behavior, such as showing up on time, being conscientious and productive in every task, showing a willingness to get your hands dirty and at times working extra hours. These attributes are essential, he says, because if low-level employees show a willingness to work hard, "most employers will gladly train them with the skills to fill higher-paying jobs."
He fears that too many of the young millennials who come knocking on his door view a paycheck as a kind of entitlement, not something to be earned. He is also concerned that the trendy concept of "life-balancing" is putting work second behind leisure.
"I guess I'm a little prejudiced to the immigrants and especially Hispanics," he says. "They have an amazing work ethic. They don't want handouts and are grateful to have a job. Our company has a great success rate with these workers." This focus on work effort is seldom, if ever, discussed by policy makers or labor economists when they ponder what to do about unemployment. To most liberals, the very topic is taboo and is disparaged as blaming the economy's victims.
