Issue: Utah's Economy Date: May 7, 2004 Author: Ian K. Scharine ******************** Utah is known as the “Beehive State” for its industriousness. We have always ranked at the top of the country’s lists as having good job opportunity within a rapidly expanding population. Recent events, both local and national, have tested our resources to maintain a productive consumer/employment relationship. I believe that first and foremost, the American citizen’s right to pursue equal and reasonable employment is most important for the present and future of this country. In the face of increasing “outsourcing” and illegal immigrant job competition I cannot stress enough how it lies in the states’ duty to protect their own citizens and voters. Not just from laws seeking to award illegal immigrants more opportunities, but that business practices remain ethically and morally loyal to domestic interests, not their own.