Reader comments
Utah economy heads for slowdown in '08

We the consumers already know this, all you had to do was ask and it would have saved thousands of dollars in this useless study. Inflation and devaluation of the dollar has far exceeded the income levels, especially in Utah, where wages and income decline with every illegal alien crossing the border and getting sancutary and financial assistance in Utah's cities. The businesses love these illegals to profiteer and demean the american peoples rights to fair wages for fair work. These studies haven't begun to get any figures on the amount of destuction the illegals are causing to the america economy and the american people. They are only looking at the good it is doing for the busineessman and his bottom line of profit. This is the root cause of the decline in the economy and all the social programs in the US. Then there is the devestation it is causing to education system in Utah and America. Illegals and business do not pay taxes that the social programs in the US need and are just an economic drain on the american people. The american people are suffering while the illegals are getting too much for their illegal status.

Bob I don't think undocumented workers were mentioned in the article.

This downward trend is just the beginning. And it is foolish to scapegoat illegals. Your bosses, rulers, magistrates, Kings and presidents are getting very fat from the sweat and blood of the little guy and are getting richer by the day.
It's all in the purchasing power.

In Nazi Germany, the Jews were blamed for all of society's problems.

Wages in Utah and the Nation are depressed(wages are determined by supply and demand) and taxpayers make up the difference not only for illegal aliens, but also the citizens who are paid below subsistence level. (See Subsistence Wage Theory). If you think outsourcing our manufacturing and our technology is good for the nation, you will also like "insourcing" our service sector jobs to illegal aliens.(we get cheap stuff & services)

Without immigration the U.S. would not be facing a population explosion already in progress which will continue into the foreseeable future. Of course those businesses that need increasing numbers of consumers will benefit the most. If you think we need population expansion, you will love the next 30 years.

Perhaps a recession would help us gain control of this immigration mess.

Since wages for the average worker have not kept pace with inflation for over 20 years, there comes a time that something has got to give. Looks like we are in for a real correction this time, given all the financially creative things that were allowed to keep the ball rolling. Good luck!

Illegals do depress Americans wages, its a fact.

The sad thing is our hardcore conservatives view the latest minumum wage hike as some sort of evil socialistic or communistic plot.
They fantasize and relate to the greedy CEO's or business owners unwilling to pay a decent wage because afterall, they have their 3rd vacation homes to maintain.
Meanwhile, the Mexicans are a handy scapegoat.

Bob is partially right and partially wrong. The extraordinarily low Utah wages are a result of poor public policy choices for the last 50 years that I remember disenfranchising workers from fair salaries to benefit employers. The last 30 years of federal policy (Clinton's errors included) continue this financial assault on the middle class while advantaging the business class and the wealthy.

Bob is right that failure to stem the tide of illegals working for wages that US citizens won't work for keeps the wages low as well. It's important to recognize these are not jobs American's won't do, it's salaries that American's can't afford to work for that cause the problem. Corporate greed parading as "free market" nonsense is the real culprit.

How many of you that express opinions on wages in the USA have spent any considerable time in the developing world? According to pure economic theory, every country has advantages and disadvantages such as natural resources and technology and goods and services should be produced in the place that is most competitive.

Belly aching about greedy business people and a conspiracy to keep people's wages down ignores the fundamentals of the market and the freedom of mankind. I'd say stop your complaining and get some more education so that you can get a better job and if the job is not available in dear old Utah go someplace else.