Also made this mistake. Just found that you can open a jpeg in PSE 11 as a RAW image and adjust the white balance. File/Open as/ drill down to RAW option. I tried it and it helped correct the blue tint. Not as flexible as working with a true RAW image, but better than just editing a jpeg.

This was a good story until the last line about immigrants.

There is a huge misconception about laziness among immigrants.
First off, legal or not, these folks come to the US for opportunities. Yes, like all groups there are exceptions that make it hard for the 80-90% of really good people.
Then, many work in agriculture, which is never easy. Many clean hotel rooms and wash dishes in restaurants, also very hard physical work.

So factually, without immigrants, we would have less food or much more expensive food, dirty hotels to stay in and dirty dishes in the restaurants.

Instead of being snarky about immigrants, pause a moment, think about what they do and maybe say thank you!

JimBob, Try this and then you can decide.
Set your DSLR to capture both RAW and JPEG at the same time.
Download to your computer. I think you will see the difference between the two images. Without any post processing, the RAW image will not look as good. The camera actually does some processing and compressing of the jpeg image.
But using LR or PS Elements, etc, and doing light post processing of the RAW image, you will be happier with the flexibility you have.

Adding the 600mm lens to the question is unreasonable as the majority of all users will never carry a 600mm anywhere but in our dreams. I realize that this could happen, I.e. seeing a ten year old with a 600, but generally would a once in a lifetime sighting.
I passed down to my granddaughter a Sony A700 when she was about 14 and her images generally exceeded what I did with that body.