All Roads Lead to Cornithaca

“Buy local – Employ foreign” Bumper sticker

Hypocritical? Of course – but there’s a workaround. In Tompkins County there’s a workaround for every self-serving act – if you’re important enough. And what profit-loving Agribusiness owner doesn’t love foreign “guest” workers — they live in owner supplied housing, available 24/7 – they work really hard [or they will be sent out of the country] – they don’t report violations [or they will be sent out of the country] – their pay is subsidized through State taxes - and as an added plus to the local economy – they send their money out of the country. • What do these owners say about the unemployed families down the road? They’re “lazy, shiftless, thieving, red-neck, racist, trailer trash . . .” Bigoted? Of course – but if you’re important enough . . . • So employ foreign, and tell everyone to “buy local” — profiting twice is “Tompkins County nice.”