Salem, the capital city of Oregon and its second largest city, lies in the center of the lush Willamette River valley, 47 miles from Portland. Salem is a city of over 47 square miles, located an hour from the Cascade mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem’s current population is 147,215 (July 2005) with a sustainable growth rate of approximately 1.5 percent per year.
Mark, you mentioned that perhaps guest workers would aid as employees of the agriculture industry. I recently read an article in the Albuquerque Journal about guest workers in Japan. These legal and documented guest workers in Japan take the jobs that most Japanese would not want. However, these workers find difficulty blending into Japanese society. They are often isolated and looked down upon. Unfortunately, it is sad that one problem being solved only leads to new ones requiring attention. A society that provides unwanted jobs to it's own members should respect the "outsiders" who do accept and value these jobs.
Dear Crasero, I could not agree with you more! The "outsiders" as you call them that are willing to provide the necessary services that our own citizens are unwilling to provide should be given their due respect. However, since 9/11 there exists a definite need to provide the appropriate documentation when coming across our borders. My suggestion is to create a "migrant worker" program where some form of identification could be created to satisfy the needs of both the migrant workers and the appropriate government agencies. You mention the problems that migrant workers are having in Japan. Throughout history, whether in Japan or here in America, immigrants have faced similar problems. America is often referred to as a "melting pot" and for good reason. The diversity of racial and ethnic groups within our society is vast. When the Japanese first started to arrive in the U.S. they too faced the problem of cultural identity. However, they adapted quite well. It is important to mention that the Japanese have tended to distance themselves from other cultures historically. Only time will tell how this issue will play out. I appreciate your comments and will give them the attention they deserve.
Currently a student at New Mexico State University majoring in Sociology. Originally from Island Pond, Vermont. I have also resided in Salem, Oregon and Concord, New Hampshire.After resigning from the United States Air Force in 1978 I moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico where I currently live.
2 comments:
Mark, you mentioned that perhaps guest workers would aid as employees of the agriculture industry. I recently read an article in the Albuquerque Journal about guest workers in Japan. These legal and documented guest workers in Japan take the jobs that most Japanese would not want. However, these workers find difficulty blending into Japanese society. They are often isolated and looked down upon. Unfortunately, it is sad that one problem being solved only leads to new ones requiring attention. A society that provides unwanted jobs to it's own members should respect the "outsiders" who do accept and value these jobs.
Dear Crasero, I could not agree with you more! The "outsiders" as you call them that are willing to provide the necessary services that our own citizens are unwilling to provide should be given their due respect. However, since 9/11 there exists a definite need to provide the appropriate documentation when coming across our borders. My suggestion is to create a "migrant worker" program where some form of identification could be created to satisfy the needs of both the migrant workers and the appropriate government agencies. You mention the problems that migrant workers are having in Japan. Throughout history, whether in Japan or here in America, immigrants have faced similar problems. America is often referred to as a "melting pot" and for good reason. The diversity of racial and ethnic groups within our society is vast. When the Japanese first started to arrive in the U.S. they too faced the problem of cultural identity. However, they adapted quite well. It is important to mention that the Japanese have tended to distance themselves from other cultures historically. Only time will tell how this issue will play out. I appreciate your comments and will give them the attention they deserve.
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