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No. I would rather automation replace the abuse of illegal immigrant labor.

The sad thing is that they most likely would choose to continue being abused; being that the alternative is starving.

B-but, it's their choice to be enlsaved ! /s

If it was more cost effective, that would happen already. Produce prices will likely rise if this becomes an issue.

... rise to a level that reflects a fair and honest competitive market, as opposed to one where the labor pool has two populations following two sets of rules. Sounds like progress to me.

Yep and people will buy the cheaper produce from South American markets boosting the economy down there.

Similar to how people buy Chinese manufactured products in Wal-Mart then complain about manufacturing being overseas.

Tariffs.

Sounds good to me.

* consumers would be paying a fair price with rational decision-making

* there would be "made in the usa" marketing for local / national produce

* voters would look much more carefully at minimum wage increases

I suspect that there is an initial hump where investment in automated farm labor will need to take place, but after the hump it won't be rational to go back.

Of course this is all speculation on my part.

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