>Meat-packers and hotels simply go get someone cheaper.

And that won't happen if they start getting punished for hiring illegally. Which was part one.

>When everyone is paid more, they hire illegal workers for less

It was a three part solution. Crack down on the employers hiring undocumented workers, give a sort of minimum wage visa to anyone willing to work, and then hire them.

> Although, off the record, arresting the hiring bosses and fining the corporations that illegally hire foreigners is really the right way to go about it.

It's really the only sustainable possible solution. We NEED to do it if we actually want to stabilize the lowest wages.

> I do think environmentalism is a real thing.

I really think you misunderstood what I was saying. I was distancing myself from the false dichotomy you put forward. We CAN try to put a very quick, very harsh damper on our pollution, and that would be neither of the 2 scenarios you put forward. The political issue is whether we have the political will to do the needful regarding environmental degradation and pollution. But yes, I do agree that environmentalism is not only real, but the only possibility if we want to ensure a future for humanity that goes beyond the 21st century.

> But any statement along the lines of "although", "while", "however", or anything with a "but" will be taken as a conflicting view.

Eh, I call it being realistic, not conflicting, but I can see how people might see that as backtracking or weakness. That's why I'm not a politician.

stretches arms, starts bouncing on balls of the feet, takes a few practice air punches

> So environmentalism isn't a political issue to you?

Oof, way to miss what I said. You gave an and/or, and all I said was that the scenario you put forward is not a political issue, it was....something. Not sure what. Extinction or causing the oven-baked death of the world, as if those are the only 2 options.

> You admit you want to import more foreign workers and undercut working class wages

Nope nope. We already have foreign workers who undercut wages. The idea is to legitimize them and regulate the wages they need to be paid so that EVERYONE is paid more.

cracks neck, does a quick squat stretch and a couple of lunges

>Would you prefer a mass die-off of humanity or would you rather we continue to kill the planet with massive CO2 pollution?

Not a political belief.

>Do you want higher wages for workers? And how should we deal with illegal foreign workers?

Yes, and create a robust system where foreign workers can be allowed to work and pay taxes much easier than currently allowed. This removes the exploitability of underpaid undocumented workers that drive wages at the bottom way way down. Also, severely punish employers who take advantage of undocumented labor. To this end, increase IRS funding to look specifically at wage theft and wages paid under the table.

>What do you think of the military aid to Ukraine and how do you feel about military spending?

Military spending is necessary, and should be used when needed to defend allies. We can afford to cut down a good portion of our spending though, and take a good look at wasted funding and earmarks that serve no purpose except to give specific politicians more political clout.

>When did you stop beating your wife?

I plead the fifth.