- Watch The JD Rucker Show every day to be truly informed.
Immigration policy is a critical topic shaping the future of American workers, corporations, and society as a whole. Questions around who should gain entry to the U.S. workforce often pit economic needs against national priorities. Central to this debate is the comparison of H-1B visas and O-1 visas. Critics argue that the H-1B program prioritizes corporate profits over American workers, but there is an alternative that could better serve both the nation and its economy: the O-1 visa.
The Problem with H-1B Visas
The H-1B visa program has long been contentious. Promoted as a pathway to bring skilled foreign workers into the United States, it’s been heavily criticized for its misuse. Many large corporations, including some of the richest companies in the world, have exploited the program to hire workers at lower wages than they would pay an equally qualified American.
Why do these companies push for more H-1B visas? The answer lies in cost and control. Workers on these visas are often bound to their employers, unable to freely switch jobs without jeopardizing their immigration status. Critics liken this to a form of “indentured servitude,” where corporations benefit from both the labor and the reduced bargaining power of these employees.
This isn’t just an abstract issue. Imagine an American computer science graduate from a top program. Shouldn’t they have the first chance to build a career in the field they’ve dedicated years to studying? H-1B programs can push these opportunities out of reach for homegrown talent.
Does the U.S. Need Skilled Workers?
There’s no denying the value of skilled immigrants. The United States has always benefited from the contributions of brilliant minds from around the globe. But the H-1B visa isn’t the best solution to this need. While it favors lower costs for corporations, it undercuts wages and opportunities for American workers. The system also doesn’t guarantee that the “best and brightest” are the ones entering the country.
This is where the O-1 visa comes in. Designed for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in fields like science, education, business, or athletics, the O-1 visa offers a framework to attract high-level talent without compromising opportunities for American workers.
Important: Our sponsors at Jase are now offering emergency preparedness subscription medications on top of the long-term storage antibiotics they offer. Use promo code “Rucker10” at checkout!
A Better Approach to Immigration: O-1 Visas and New Ideas
The O-1 visa could be the answer to balancing economic needs with American interests. Unlike the H-1B, it’s not designed to fill entry-level or mid-tier roles. Instead, it’s reserved for individuals who’ve demonstrated exceptional ability or accomplishment. This ensures that only the most talented individuals gain entry.
But there’s room to expand beyond the O-1 visa framework. The current immigration system allows 55,000 people into the U.S. annually through the Diversity Lottery. What if this system shifted to prioritize measurable talent instead? Imagine admitting just 10,000 individuals yearly who score exceptionally high on an intelligence and English proficiency test, with strict background checks to exclude criminal activity. Such changes could ensure that America remains a global leader while addressing growing concerns over labor market competition.
What Happened to the Social Contract?
The H-1B visa issue is about more than economics—it’s about values and priorities. Immigration policies should reflect the will of the American people. Polls and voting trends show that a majority of Americans favor lower levels of immigration overall. They want programs that protect jobs for citizens and align with the country’s social contract.
Letting corporations dictate immigration policy is a betrayal of this contract. Replacing qualified American workers with cheaper foreign labor, especially under programs like the H-1B, undermines trust in the system. Immigration should serve the national interest, not just corporate bottom lines.
Putting American Workers First
The debate over H-1B visas versus O-1 visas boils down to a simple question: where do our priorities lie? Should America prioritize massive corporations looking to save money, or should it protect opportunities for its own citizens? It’s not about shutting America off to the world. It’s about carefully selecting who comes in—those who truly add value.
The O-1 visa and other talent-first policies provide a way forward. America doesn’t have to settle for a system that depresses wages and replaces its workers. By prioritizing talent and aligning immigration policies with national interests, the United States can remain competitive and fair.
In the end, immigration reform isn’t about pleasing one group or another. It’s about doing what’s best for the American people. And when it comes to building a stronger workforce, protecting opportunities for citizens while welcoming top-tier talent is the smart choice. Who wouldn’t want the best and brightest to join us—on our terms?
Article generated with assistance from AI.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
