Environment

Take my Job. Please!

by mtippett | June 25, 2010 at 10:27 am

2127 views | 0 Recommendations | 4 comments

Using comedy to make a serious point, Stephen Colbert is publicizing a challenge made by American farm workers who are tired of being villanized in the press.

SAN FRANCISCO – In a tongue-in-cheek call for immigration reform, farm workers are teaming up with comedian Stephen Colbert to challenge unemployed Americans: Come on, take our jobs.
Farm workers are tired of being blamed by politicians and anti-immigrant activists for taking work that should go to Americans and dragging down the economy, said Arturo Rodriguez, the president of the United Farm Workers of America.

So the group is encouraging the unemployed — and any Washington pundits or anti-immigrant activists who want to join them — to apply for the some of thousands of agricultural jobs being posted with state agencies as harvest season begins.

All applicants need to do is fill out an online form under the banner "I want to be a farm worker" at http://www.takeourjobs.org, and experienced field hands will train them and connect them to farms.

Working on farms is a much more dangerous occupation than most people realized. In fact it is one of the most dangerous jobs in America.

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Jesse Araiza (not verified)

at 06:38 on June 27th, 2010

I want to work period! Deadly serious, taking all assignments call ASAP! I can be reached 24/7 (956)219-9032 call before my phone gets cut off. God bless you and America.

MichaelStephenColbert (not verified)

at 09:34 on July 28th, 2010

Stephen Colbert, I applied on the take my job site two weeks ago, and I have not heard anything back. Were you lying about this. I need to work so I can live.If there is no jobs it is because the mexicans don't just have farm working jobs, they take away more jobs then that.Watch out, soon they will have yours!!!!!

James Van Der Beek (not verified)

at 10:01 on July 29th, 2010

It (supposedly) sends your information to a state agency (not much information for a job application, IMO). The problem would be that illegals do not apply for jobs, they stand around on the street and get picked up by cheap business owners. Furthermore, if you, the citizen, are selected for a farm working job, they have to pay more for you to work (tax contributions, overtime, etc). They aren't going to pay more when they don't have to. I applied and haven't heard anything back, which isn't too surprising. Apparently it isn't much more dangerous than pizza delivery, which is what I am getting paid peanuts for now anyhow, so I wouldn't mind taking a farm job.

Marcy McQuillen (not verified)

at 08:15 on August 11th, 2010

Have you ever worked on a farm? Heat stroke, snakes, farm equipment accidents, allergic reactions, animal bites, the list goes on and on. I truly hope you get a farm job so you can eat your words.