Tebowmania was the national obsession with the Denver Broncos’ quarterback. But it could also be described as an affliction besetting the media.
Samson’s buddy: “I’ve got six hours in town before my flight. What should I do?” Bachman: “Go to the airport.
BBC News - Latino immigrant exodus hurts South Carolina economy
In South Carolina the Hispanic population had skyrocketed over this past decade, growing by 148% compared to 43% nationwide.
But the economic downturn in the United States hit Hispanics more than any other demographic, and a new and strict immigration law left many undocumented workers leaving the state and country altogether.
Enacted in June 2011, Act No. 69 made it legal for South Carolina police to stop anybody they suspect of being in the country illegally and made it a crime to give shelter or transport to an undocumented immigrant.
These provisions and others were blocked by a federal judge in December 2011, who saw them as unconstitutional. But fear of expensive fines and deportation had already spread among many Hispanics.
The region’s economy has since been paying the price in empty apartments and less demand for low-wage jobs. But none have struggled more than the 6,000 Hispanic-owned businesses that heavily depend on customers from its community.
The BBC’s Franz Strasser went to Greenville to speak to business owners who work and live there legally and are now left picking up the scraps.
Germany has the economic strengths America once boasted: Germany with its manufacturing base and export prowess is the U.S. of yesteryear, an economic power unlike any of its European neighbors. It has thrived on principles America seems to have lost.
The couple, in their early 50s, aren’t retired or well off. They live in a small Tudor-style house in this middle-class town about 30 miles northwest of Frankfurt. He’s a foreman at a glass factory; she works part time for a company that tracks inventories for retailers. Their combined income is a modest $40,000.
Yet the Krugers have a higher standard of living than many Americans who have twice that income.
Their secret: little debt, frugal habits and a government that is intensely focused on high production, low inflation and extensive social services.
That has given them job security and good medical care as well as well-maintained roads, trains and bike paths. Both of their adult children are out on their own, thanks in part to Germany’s job-training system and heavy subsidies for university education.
For instance, Volkmar’s out-of-pocket costs for stomach surgery and 10 days in a hospital totaled just $13 a day. College tuition for their son runs about $260 a semester.
Photo: Vera and Volkmar Kruger, seen here in the town of Limburg, Germany, not far from their home in Elz, earn about $40,000 a year but live as well as an American couple making twice as much. Credit: Don Lee / Los Angeles Times
This is one of those few times when I think about moving back…
Links elsewhere
Throughout my research, I came across the following articles on the subject of immigration and South Carolina:
Powered by Delicious tags ideas+southcarolina+immigration
We try to encourage people to drive carefully and safely and then the police will not stop them. But a lot of people have lost confidence and they’d rather just leave.
Latino exodus hurts South Carolina economy. My video from Greenville, SC will air Jan 25, 2012 on http://bbc.com/news
This is a first: the drinks menu is delivered via iPad! (Taken with Instagram at sobys on the side)
Guillermina owns fours stores in Greenville, SC, but the economy and a tough new immigration law have made things difficult for her and many Latinos in South Carolina. #bbcmagazine #bbcalteredstates (Taken with instagram)
Headed to Columbia and the #SCprimary (Taken with Instagram at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD))
What do you want to do? Go home? It’s dark and you want to go home? Go back up and tell me what can be done: how many people there are and what they need.
My favorite new discoveries of 2011. #bestof #travel #guam #phoenix #charleston #boise (Taken with instagram)
The view from ‘media row’ at Huntsman party w/ @smithreports @BenLeubsdorf #nhprimary (Taken with instagram)
Quick: whose signs are missing at this #nhprimary polling place? (Taken with instagram)
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