sttropezbutlersays
i love it when you get up on your soapbox...i really really do...
the illegal immigrant i hired about a month ago is still working with me...i hired him to do some gardening and now he is painting the entire interior of my home...i will keep him working for us until the money runs out...best painter i've ever had...best worker i've ever seen...strongest man i have ever ever met...he's learned english, on his own, in the 4 years he's been here...no one epitomizes the american spirit/dream more than this man...he reminds me of my father, who is the son of italian immigrants...
yet he lives so simply and stealthily...no car or driver's license...no bank account...he's a non-person...i marvel at his stories, especially the one of his crossing...i want him to write a book...
sorry for this long rant in your space, but this is a cause that is now dear to my heart...this guy is not lazy, stupid, slow or a thief...he is the total opposite of all these things...he deserves to be in this country more than anyone i know...
peace...
I marvel at the world sometimes, well all the time really. I just don't understand where all of the hate and fear comes from. In a time when all of Europe is opening it's borders to one another, we here in North America are closing ours. Your new laws regarding the illegal immigrants, activating the National Guard to patrol the border with Mexico, and now a new law that will force Canadians and Americans to have passports to visit one another. I just don't get it.
I don't understand what we're so afraid of with respect to illegal immigrants: are we afraid there won't be enough jobs? There are enough jobs, but no one born here wants to clean toilets or cut grass or do construction or work in a slaughter house or harvest produce for minimum wage (less if you're illegal because the company can get away with paying you less simply because you're illegal).
What I really don't understand is why people stay silent. In common law, you know, silence is taken as consent. Maybe we are living in a country full of bigots and imbeciles. It's happened before in human history (and is happening right now in other places besides the U.S.). All I know is that I'm getting really tired of bread and circuses.
Oh yes, we ARE a country of bigots and imbeciles. Our contry was founded on this. Just ask a Native American (if you can find one), or a black person or a phillipino or...
The idea that these illegal immigrants are taking jobs from Americans is ridiculous. Like woodstock said, who of us wants to scrub toilets, mow lawns, paint someone's home, etc for just a few bucks and no insurance package?
However, just to play Devil's Advocate: I challenge any one of you to go to Mexico and try to live there illegally. You will get booted out before you can bat an eye if you don't spend some frightening time in a nasty jail first. Los Angeles County spends millions of dollars every year on welfare benefits to illegals alone. And that's just L.A. county. Illegal immigration IS a problem but what we need to do is manage it, not ban it. I certainly wouldn't begin to act like I have all of the answers but I am not for just letting people pile in here without restriction or responsibility. It's a damned shame that white people came here and violently took over this country and then act as entitled as we do. But, unfortunately that can't be changed and we are here now.
I admire this person that Nancy is speaking of but he is the way that he is at this point in time because he is trying to survive. If he obtains his American Dream and owns a home like you do and has insurance he won't paint your house and work in your garden for pennies. He probably may not even be your friend. As inspiring as he is, I'm sure that he sees you as some rich American that would have nothing to do with him without his cheap labor. And I'm not trying to be offensive, I promise, but would you?
Wow. And again, wow.
*hug*
Great post---those are all things that need to be said.
Once again, they try the hocus pocus of "watch my left hand, watch it very closely" while they insert the right one up to their elbow...
alan
Wow - You so get it!!! I had an argument with a co-worker up here talking about the immigrant issue - she has no clue - my in-law were immigrants up until two years ago when they became citizens. They paid taxes and worked hard long before they became citzens. She kept saying she was going to pack it up and move to Canada if this country didn't get right soon - working around attorneys - I had to hold my reply - most of it anyway - I asked who she voted for - she said Bush - I said well until we put someone else in charge and start turning thing around the RIGHT way - I guess you will be moving to Canada - make sure you pack a coat. Needless to say she has not spoken to me since then on a personal level - not that I mind one bit. The part about the soldiers was great too - I live with one everyday - who was forced to do things and who did not receive proper evaluation before being released and who now suffers on a daily basis - the worst - he feels like no one wants him and no one cares about what he had to do. It is so sad to see someone who is only 24 and has their whole ahead of them feel this way!! Peace to you my friend. I stand beside you!!!
What you've said there is all so true.
Hypocrites...the whole lot of them!
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