> These aren't people that became destitute overnight, and in the long-term, it likely saved their lives.
That I totally believe. But the miners are not so stupid that they would not be doing day labor or growing corn if it compensated them in the same way.
Consider that a subsistence economy is largely lacking in currency, so jobs that pay cash are certainly more attractive that working your own corn field. But I've talked to a lot of people that work at the mines. They aren't attached to their jobs, but they'll do it while it (or they) are still around.
That I totally believe. But the miners are not so stupid that they would not be doing day labor or growing corn if it compensated them in the same way.