My most controversial post yet. In the bizarre debate about fraud in Minnesota, here is my nominee for most bizarre headline. From KSTP-5 TV,
Somali Minnesotans drive economic growth, pay $67M taxes annually
I say this as person who holds university degrees in both economics and business: human beings have intrinsic worth and should not be judged morally by their contributions as economic actors.
And yet, here we are. KSTP reports,
However, Concordia University economist Dr. Bruce Corrie said his latest estimates show the following:
-Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually,
-Somalis pay about $67 million in state and local taxes,
NewsNation, citing U.S. Census Bureau data, puts the Somali population at 107,000.
Using that denominator, Dr. Corrie’s estimates work out on a per capita basis to $4,673 and $626, annually, respectively.
Elsewhere, state government provides the following estimates,
The most recent data has the Somali community experiencing a poverty rate of 58%, with 40% of the community unemployed or not in the workforce.
American Experiment estimates, based on government data, Minnesota spends $46,000 per person in poverty every year.
Adding 1+1+1 together produces the inevitable conclusion that, collectively, the Minnesota Somali community consumes more economic output than it consumes.
That is not a measure of anyone’s moral worth. I’m surprised that community advocates have framed the debate in those terms.