Its a bit more complicated then that. We were mostly a self contained nation at one time. We could survive with what was done almost completely inside our borders. We also were a low tax nation. Part of the reason we have to keep upping the minimum wage is the fiat currency creates inflation and the thousands of taxes, fees and fines that add up on anything we do. Its a never ending cycle that is currently going upward. The costs of doing things within the nation is expensive. We live off of slave labor overseas. A lot of people collect pensions, social security, welfare programs which are many and free or reduced medical coverage. These numbers are growing. We also price products higher with endless safety additions adding costs to them. There are people who come here and do the work that many Americans may not want to. But there is a gaming system going on also. Several people in a home collecting benefits, medical, schooling with one or two working those jobs.We don't bring them in. Employers ILLEGALLY hire them.Those we bring in to do things like process our food should be able to get a legal wage.
And we allow them because we are worried about the prices going up a little bit. We allow it so it is us.