The Demise of the Boycott?

I'm sure the new Arizona law on illegal immigration has had some coverage outside the US. Some have condemned it as racist, an open door to racial profiling. Others view it as necessary. The folks in Arizona are tired of paying the social and economic costs of people invading their state, and I applaud the Governor and the legislature for taking a stand and enforcing the rule of law. Drug cartels are taking advantage of the porous border to ply their illegal trade, and murder rates in the border cities are among the highest in the world. The federal government is too concerned with political expediency to do anything constructive about this serious, and growing, problem. Did someone say 14 million new voters?

In the event you disagree with the law, let me ask you a few questions. Is your homeland being besieged? Are your national values being threatened? Would you allow these people into your home?




These pictures were taken in London, England. They could have been taken in any western city in which people were raised in a free society. Guess what? It won't be free for long if action isn't taken now.

Did these people enter England legally? if so, England needs to rethink its immigration policy, and I hasten to add, so does the USA. If they entered illegally, it is time to enforce immigration laws. The Arizona law is not aimed specifically at any particular group except those who have illegally entered the state of Arizona. If I entered your home illegally, you would have recourse. This is no different. And lest you think that there aren't similarities between those invaders and some coming from south of our border, take a look. The images and back stories are varied, but there are elements of each that want nothing less than to undo the magnificent accomplishments of free western societies.

Several political subdivisions have passed resolutions condemning the Arizona law, and a boycott is afoot. The rest of this post is self-explanatory, and I think it amply illustrates the economic interdependence that exists in a market society. Your boycott can get you in trouble...

The Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott the state of Arizona over its new immigration-enforcement law, and now the Arizona Corporation Commission has responded. Gary Pierce, one of the commissioners chosen in state-wide elections to the utility regulation panel, notes that Los Angeles gets about 25% of its power from Arizona producers. If the City of Angels really wants a boycott, Pierce offers his services to help, as he explains in a letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and copied to Hot Air:

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

I was dismayed to learn that the Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott Arizona and Arizona-based companies — a vote you strongly supported — to show opposition to SB 1070 (Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act).

You explained your support of the boycott as follows: “While we recognize that as neighbors, we share resources and ties with the State of Arizona that may be difficult to sever, our goal is not to hurt the local economy of Los Angeles, but to impact the economy of Arizona. Our intent is to use our dollars — or the withholding of our dollars — to send a message.” (emphasis added)

I received your message; please receive mine. As a state-wide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona’s electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the “resources and ties” we share with the City of Los Angeles. In fact, approximately twenty-five percent of the electricity consumed in Los Angeles is generated by power plants in Arizona.

If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation. I am confident that Arizona’s utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands. If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona’s economy.

People of goodwill can disagree over the merits of SB 1070. A state-wide economic boycott of Arizona is not a message sent in goodwill.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Gary Pierce


And here's the link, in case you'd like to look at some of the comments.

Hat tip to Paul for the story.