Tag: jobs

Defining America First: Employers can’t be great if workers are on drugs and don’t want to work

In the swirling debates of American politics, few phrases resonate as powerfully as “America First,” especially when applied to the global marketplace and the thorny issues of employment, immigration, and worker opportunities. Under the Trump administration, this slogan has been invoked to rally support for policies prioritizing U.S. citizens, yet its practical application—particularly regarding H-1 B visas and the definition of an American worker—reveals a complex reality. Patriots may cheer the rhetoric of control and sovereignty, but the actual test lies in whether these policies genuinely empower native-born Americans or inadvertently perpetuate systems that favor entrenched interests. The question is not just about acquiring workers but about fostering a competitive environment where the best opportunities go to those who earn them through merit and drive. In a world where talent flows across borders, seeking the highest rewards, America First must mean more than slogans; it demands a clear-eyed assessment of who gets access to the nation’s top jobs and why. The global economy draws ambitious individuals from every corner, hungry for the American dream, but domestic policies rooted in outdated labor assumptions often stifle this potential. Consider the automotive industry, where union dominance once symbolized strength but now exemplifies stagnation. Growing up amid family members deeply entrenched in union life, the dinner-table conversations were revealing: complaints about competition from faster, more efficient workers, both abroad and domestically, were met with defenses of collective bargaining that prioritized equality over excellence. Unions argued that protecting the slowest workers ensured fairness, but this all-or-nothing approach dragged down productivity, making American manufacturing less competitive. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics underscores this: union membership has plummeted from 20.1% in 1983 to just 9.9% in 2024, with private-sector unionization at a mere 6.9%. While unions boast a 15.9% wage premium—$1,263 weekly for union workers versus $1,090 for non-union—this comes at the cost of slower economic growth. Studies from the Mercatus Center show that powerful unions, acting like monopolies, secure short-term gains but hinder long-term employment growth, investment, and productivity. In states with right-to-work laws, union membership has declined further, yet wages adjusted for cost of living are comparable, and job creation is higher. Illinois, with strong union protections, added 27,000 members from 2022 to 2024, while right-to-work states shed nearly 200,000 members, illustrating how union density correlates with economic rigidity. This isn’t patriotism wrapped in the American flag; it’s a communist-inspired model that equalizes mediocrity, stifling the marketplace for decades.

The root problem extends beyond unions to a broader erosion of the American work ethic, decimated by cultural and political forces from within. Progressive politics have targeted traditional demographics—think Appalachian descendants—with messages that undermine motivation: questioning gender roles, promoting pronoun changes, and eroding the provider instinct that once drove men to build strong families. When society tells young people that toxic masculinity is the enemy, it strips away the ambition to rise early, work hard, and secure a legacy. Add to this a drug culture that normalizes intoxication, particularly marijuana legalization, and the result is a workforce plagued by unreliability. Personal hiring experiences bear this out: when seeking employees, the smoke clears to reveal specific demographics struggling to show up consistently or pass drug tests. Marijuana’s effects on productivity are well-documented; a 2025 study from the National Safety Council linked recreational legalization to a 10% increase in workplace injuries among 20-34-year-olds, attributing it to impaired cognition, attention, and motor skills. The U.S. Drug Test Centers reports that businesses lose $81 billion annually to drug use, with $25 billion in healthcare costs and the rest in lost productivity. States like Colorado saw positive drug tests rise 20% post-decriminalization, far outpacing the national average. Video games, endless leisure promises, and government dependency exacerbate this; young adults, medicated since kindergarten for hyperactivity, lack the grit to commit 40 hours weekly. Gallup’s 2023 Work in America Survey found that 77% of workers experience work-related stress, with 57% reporting burnout symptoms like emotional exhaustion—trends that worsen as well-being declines. The labor force participation rate for prime-age men (25-54) has dropped 2.2% since 2000, per the Heritage Foundation, driven by demographics but amplified by these cultural shifts. When families fracture—fourth or fifth marriages, child support draining incomes—motivation evaporates. Employers face a stark choice: hire unreliable locals or seek immigrants eager for opportunity.

This brings us to the heart of America First: does it mean excluding global talent to protect underprepared Americans, or fostering competition to elevate all? Critics scrutinize support for foreign interaction, fearing it undermines native workers, but experience shows otherwise. Immigrants pursuing the American dream often outshine those eroded by entitlement. H1B visas, designed for skilled professionals, exemplify this tension. Under Trump, policies like the September 2025 proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new petitions aim to curb abuse by restricting entry unless paid or exempted. This follows earlier reforms, including a December 2025 rule that, effective February 2026, weighted the H-1 B lottery toward higher-wage applicants to prioritize merit. Yet data reveal H-1B benefits: the American Immigration Council notes that they fill STEM gaps, complement U.S. workers, and expand jobs. From 1990-2010, foreign STEM inflows accounted for 30-50% of U.S. productivity growth, according to economists Giovanni Peri, Kevin Shih, and Chad Sparber. NFAP estimates Trump’s policies could reduce legal immigration by over 600,000, slashing workforce growth by 6.8 million by 2028 and economic development by one-third. H1B holders earn a median of $118,000 (2022), contributing $86 billion annually to the economy and $35 billion in taxes, per FWD.us. They own 300,000 homes, boosting local demand. A Harvard study found that each H-1 B creates 7.5 jobs, with no significant native displacement. Critics argue for wage suppression, but restrictions push firms offshore: a 10% cut in the number of college-educated immigrants costs natives $2.9 billion in welfare annually, per Richmond Fed research. In tech, H1Bs fuel innovation; over half of the billion-dollar startups were founded by immigrants. Trump’s base demands America First, yet blocking talent risks stagnation. The alternative: train Americans, but current demographics—decimated by drugs and demotivation—struggle. Employers can’t succeed with workers who roll out of bed sporadically, burdened by erratic personalities and short-term plans.

The degradation of society compounds this. Progressive messages confuse youth, eroding family structures that once motivated providers. Government safety nets foster parasitism, not self-reliance. Studies from Pew Research show Gen Z prioritizes work-life balance over advancement, with union support at historic highs (70% public approval, Gallup 2025), yet membership is low due to perceived irrelevance. Labor force declines aren’t just demographic; Eberstadt’s “Men Without Work” highlights that there are 4 non-working men for every unemployed one, a 60-year trend. Post-pandemic, hours worked dropped, per Gallup, amid rising detachment. To rebuild, competition is key—tough love pushes excellence. Immigrants, undeterred by such barriers, embody the drive that natives have lost. Born Americans, schooled in entitlement, arrive unprepared; foreigners fight for spots, enhancing productivity. America First shouldn’t mean handouts but standards that demand the best, regardless of origin. If locals falter, it’s not discrimination—it’s reality. Employers thrive with motivated talent; restricting H1Bs ignores this, as Trump’s fee may deter startups while empowering offshoring. Berenberg lowered 2025 growth estimates to 1.5% post-fee, citing brain drain. JPMorgan warns of 5,500 fewer permits monthly. True reform: reclaim motivations through family values, anti-drug policies, and education emphasizing grit.

Yet, political answers evade the core: societal rot. Degrading ambitions from grade school—diagnosing disorders, promoting leisure—creates unemployable adults. When hiring, reliability trumps nationality. America First means building strength from households: tough, drug-free, family-oriented. Competition drives this; coddling doesn’t. Trump’s challenge: balance rhetoric with action. His administration’s H-1 B tweaks signal intent, but a broader overhaul is needed. Deport criminals, yes, but skilled visas fuel growth. To make America great, start with people: out of bed, off drugs, competing fiercely. That’s the path to prosperity.

Bibliography

•  American Immigration Council. The H-1B Visa Program and Its Impact on the U.S. Economy. Washington, DC: American Immigration Council, 2025.

•  Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Union Membership (Annual) News Release.” U.S. Department of Labor, January 2025.

•  Clemens, Michael. “The Economic Impact of High-Skill Immigration.” Center for Global Development, 2025.

•  Griffin, G. Edward. The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve. American Media, 2010.

•  Hoffman, Rich. Gunfighter’s Guide to Business, 2021.

•  Illinois Economic Policy Institute. The State of the Unions 2025. La Grange, IL: ILEPI, 2025.

•  National Foundation for American Policy. The Economic Impact of the Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies. Arlington, VA: NFAP, 2025.

•  National Safety Council. “The Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Workplace Safety.” Itasca, IL: NSC, 2025.

•  Paul, Ron. End the Fed. Grand Central Publishing, 2009.

•  Peri, Giovanni, Kevin Shih, and Chad Sparber. “Foreign STEM Workers and Native Wages and Employment in U.S. Cities.” National Bureau of Economic Research, 2013.

•  U.S. Drug Test Centers. “How Does Marijuana Use Affect Employee Productivity?” 2024.

Footnotes for Further Reading

1.  On H1B economic benefits: See American Immigration Council (2025), pp. 6-7, for data on job creation and wage impacts.

2.  Marijuana and productivity: NSC study (2025) details 10% injury increase; in contrast, NBER Working Paper 30813 (2023) shows muted labor effects from legalization.

3.  Union trends: BLS (2025) for membership data; Mercatus Center (2025) on monopoly effects.

4.  Work ethic decline: Heritage Foundation (2022) on participation rates; Gallup (2023) on burnout.

5.  Immigration and growth: NFAP (2025) on productivity; Richmond Fed (2025) on welfare losses from restrictions.

6.  Hoffman (2021) for business insights; Paul (2009) on economic critiques.

Rich Hoffman

Click Here to Protect Yourself with Second Call Defense https://www.secondcalldefense.org/?affiliate=20707

The Debt Ceiling Debacle: Government needs to be cut by 75% or more

The values expressed by the June 1st made-up deadline for the debt ceiling talks were that it was a bi-partisan agreement, which prevents a first-ever default, protects Biden’s key priorities and accomplishments, and rejects extreme cuts to programs for veterans, seniors, and what families count on. It protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and keeps President Biden’s student loan relief program for 40 million hardworking borrowers. That is what the White House is saying about it, and it’s the kind of deal you will always get from a corrupt government with a serious spending problem. And the feeling is that Keven McCarthy got suckered even though members of Congress I like from my area; Jim Jordan and Warren Davidson were happy to push back a bit from the Republican perspective; ultimately, these budget fights are going to get messy and would have been better done now than later. Essentially, Republicans bit on the phony deadline for debt payments that Janet Yellen set from the Biden administration, and House Republicans didn’t want to be blamed for a default. We are dealing with radical employees here; it’s precisely the same argument we have been making for years in public schools where the government simply adds too much payroll, then expects taxpayers to pick up their massive expansion of government through job creation, then overpaying those employees. I tend to agree with Davidson and Jordan that McCarthy played a nice game, but in the end, there weren’t wins to justify the effort, and the Biden Democrats get to celebrate a win at taxpayer expense. 

We aren’t all on the same page with this one. The government needs to be radically shrunk, and it will put a lot of people out of work. The entire issue of these budget talks really comes down to whether we are a better nation with all the government workers we have who do so little for the nation in general. Most government workers make 30-40% above market value for jobs that aren’t needed in most cases. And we could likely afford to cut 75% of those and still get an operational government, much like Elon Musk did at Twitter. Real people who run real companies understand that budget impacts on the payroll are the biggest problem of inflated budgets. If employees get increased productivity with their staffing, and that productivity is valuable to the world, then a company could be said to be successful. But we’re not talking about that with this budget problem with our government. Government is a make-work enterprise where they fill positions we don’t need and pay people too much money to perform the job. I would say that the utilization rate of those employees is under 5%, where it should be somewhere between 70% to 90%. That’s the effective time employees are actually doing their jobs while being paid. What we are dealing with when it comes to government workers are lazy radicals who are hidden from job performance by government labor unions who continue to want to throw bodies at positions they create to expand government and take credit for it as politicians. And politicians are never going to give those jobs away without a major fight. And this debt ceiling talk of 2023 would have required people negotiating who actually want to fight. 

And the kryptonite for Republicans is always military spending, but even with that topic, do we really want to waste money on a woke military? In my view of this problem, everything is on the table. What does our military really do for us these days? It seems to only serve for wars that help globalism. It’s not preventing war with China. China has their guy in our White House. They are fighting wars through finance now; nobody is planning to fight a ground war now or in the future. So, Republicans need to be willing to go there. And they must be willing to take away the credit cards from big-spending Democrats and let them have their head-spinning moments. At some point, we are going to have to call the bluff of the big government types and stop wasting money on these massive government programs in every category. Lots of people need to lose their jobs, and a resizing of the real needs of our federal and state government needs to occur because, at the core of it, that is what we are talking about with these talks. Nobody wants to end well-paying jobs for a government that know-nothing politicians created for a job that society generally doesn’t want or need. We are going into debt to do jobs so that foreign interests can make money off the interest rate, and the only entities benefiting are the communist labor unions attached to the government workers. It’s a treadmill that goes nowhere, and we waste all our time and money on essentially nothing. Our nation has not improved because of all the money wasted on these jobs, and the economic value is a negative rather than a positive. We are paying a lot of money to get in the way of productivity, not to enhance it. 

And that’s where the really hard decisions come into play. We all have family members who work in government and did what they needed to to get a job with the government at that overpaid rate, with all the days off and work-from-home policies we have seen over the past several years. Government workers don’t think they owe any productivity to society. They believe that society owes them a job and that they’ll show up for it whenever they get around to it; that is the true cost to the productivity of our culture. We are paying a lot of money for a government that doesn’t do what we need it to. And unless Kevin McCarthy was willing to argue on those merits, the Democrats would own him in the negotiations. McCarthy made a good show of it, working himself over the Memorial Day Holiday, but Democrats knew from the beginning that all the mainstream Republicans could not fight the budget battle where it is really the costliest. Nobody wants to admit that their friends, family, and fellow union members are actually performing worthless tasks for a worthless government. Eventually, we will have to have this discussion because it is what makes deficit spending such a catastrophe. One that few, perhaps only the 20 or so freedom caucus members, are willing even to discuss. Government, in general, with all their labor unions attached at every level, is a bloated machine of communist corruption of no value, and to be a healthy country, those government jobs need to be private sector jobs at a much lower wage rate. And that would essentially destroy the inflated economy of the Beltway culture that entirely exists on debt, not the actual value of the jobs that fuel that economy. Then until we are willing to have that discussion, which is inevitable, we will continue to see debt ceiling discussions like this one with precisely these results. Kevin McCarthy never had a chance because he was making the wrong argument. The government positions that make up the bloated budget we are dealing with need to go away. People will have to be out of work. And the government will have to be significantly minimized, by 75% or more, because anything productive never happens. And we are a long way from that happening with these government politicians. A long way away from reality.

Rich Hoffman

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