The Davis-Bacon Act

I was watching a documentary on PBS. It was documenting the rebuilding of New Orleans, after hurricane Katrina. President Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon act indefinitely, strictly for the purpose of rebuilding the city. It was a means of speeding up the wheels of progress. Desperate times, call for desperate measures. There has never been a storm of this magnitude before. At least one like this, because their was hurricane Andrew of course. Both of which the act was suspended for. As always there are exploiters of every misfortune. In less severe storms, the scam artist go for the kill. We should expect them to jump on this catastrophe, like they always do. This was more than just fixing a roof, or repairing a broken pipe. This was such a major undertaking, it brought out the big boys. The major contractors rushed in and brokered out the labor. Undercutting those workers, working for the local union wage.

I expected the focus to be on the wrong thing as usual. While the country was up in arms, over the relief efforts. The oppurtunist were already taking advantage of the situation. The problem profiteers of the community didn't even bring this up. While we were focused on the poor, and what we consider the underpriviledged. The honest working man was getting screwed. Liberals would take this, and use it as a talking point against George W. Bush. Talking about how he cheated the working man, out of a fair days wage. When he signed a bill suspending the act indefinitely, immediately after the storm. The legislators at the lower level dropped the ball. They didn't protect their constituents initially. I would bet upon further investigation. There will be some palms, that have been greased. I bet the politicians, protected themselves like the police. When the going got rough, the rough got going. Money or the lack of, makes you do strange things. When this was brought to the attention of the President. He reversed his decision. That's really all he can do.

The current administration has done little to protect our borders. I feel this is a hotbed issue, that will determine the next President of the United States. The labor issues surrounding the rebuilding of those areas affected by Katrina. Have focused the spotlight, on the immigration issue. This story gave me a whole new insight on the illegal immigrants. If they can displace professional workers, such as electricians. They are now embarking on occupations that have traditionally been protected. One of the electricians directly affected by the situation said it best. He said"of course he was unhappy about loosing his job". He also said that he "understood the plight, of these undocumented workers". They want to take part in the American dream"just like us".