QotD: Illegal immigrants versus slaves

Let's see. With immigration, we have willing employers paying willing workers a mutually agreed-upon wage. The workers came here voluntarily. Indeed, some risked their lives to be here. The workers are free to switch jobs, live where they please, and do as they please with their money. Employers may pay low wages, but if the'yre too low, they'll lose the best workers to other employers — even in the case of illegals. There are no chains. No whipping posts. No brands.

Now — and I can't believe I even have to do this — let's talk about fucking slavery. See, Mr. Riehl, with slavery, Africans were kidnapped from their homes, from halfway across the world. They were packed into ships against their will, like meat. They were beaten and bred like animals. They were murdered if they resisted. They were bought and sold as if they were mules. They were routinely ripped from what little semblance of family they were permitted to have if their "employer" wished to sell them. Slaves who escaped (i.e., "looked for other employment") were whipped, shot, or lynched. And all of this went on for generations.

Yes. Of course. Immigrants are exactly the 2006 equivalent of slaves. Or the next best thing to slaves.

Radley Balko, "Dan Riehl: Ignoramous", TheAgitator.com, 2006-05-25