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Officials talk immigration
In response to reformists’ criticisms, Welcome Center director alludes to ‘racism’
Published Friday, August 22, 2008
Immigration — both illegal and legal — has emerged in recent years as the most controversial topic in Austin, with citizens taking sides and attacking each other’s viewpoints in a manner seldom seen in any other issue.
A public forum hosted Monday by the Minnesota Coalition of Immigration Reduction drew more than 100 people; an article the following day on the Herald’s Web site generated more than 50 postings — most emotional and many heated — in three days.
Several entities in the community were severely criticized by a forum of panelists, who included representatives from organizations with vested interests in immigration reduction. The City of Austin, law enforcement and the Welcome Center were chastised for aiding illegals, whom the speakers believe are attracted to the community because resources are available here.
“You need to shut the Welcome Center down,” Minuteman Ron Branstner demanded attendees, who responded with applause Monday. “It’s a magnet for the whole state of Minnesota.”
Branstner claimed the non-profit, founded in 2000 by the local organization APEX to provide services to newcomers with language barriers, receives millions of dollars in federal funding.
Welcome Center Executive Director Liliana Silvestry, who was not in attendance at the forum, rebutted that they do not receive any federal funding whatsoever, and that she has yet to see such documentation.
“It is funded most of the time coming from foundations — locally and out of state — also friends and supporters,” Silvestry said Thursday. “We don’t receive state funds except local funds from the city. We have an agreement for services with the county.”
Silvestry said the group hosting the forum has an agenda to “shut the Welcome Center down.”
“It’s a message of racism,” she said, adding that she believes the group is pinning societal and economic problems on immigrants. “Do you think people want to come to a community where people are fighting against each other?
“This is a small group, but if people start believing them, we are going to go back to Ku Klux Klan,” she said. “That might be an extreme, but this community has always been welcoming, and strives to provide everyone in this community a good quality of life.
“It’s sad to say the economy has affected everyone, regardless of the socioeconomics or what country they are coming from,” Silvestry said.
Contrary to some opinions, she said, the Welcome Center provides more than just services to Hispanic immigrants new to Austin.
“Our services also benefit businesses in the community — we’re talking about not only the hospital, but public services, we’re talking about landlords, car dealers, repairs, cable, phone companies,” she explained. “The community thinks it’s only for newcomers, and it’s not. We serve everyone in this community.”
Crime has been a point of contention for Austin residents, with some blaming high rates on immigrant populations, particularly illegals.
Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp said law enforcement is doing what they can in regards to illegal immigration — and that isn’t much.
“The long and short of it is, very simply, that immigration laws are federal laws,” Philipp said. “So because we’re not federal law enforcement officials, we do not have the ability or the permission to question people’s status in regard to immigration. When we stop someone, and we are talking to them about a traffic law violation, and we suspect they may or may not be here illegal, we have no right to ask them for their papers.”
Agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Immigration and Naturalization Service are so bogged down with work, the chief said, that crimes like traffic violations resulting in illegal status findings are not a priority.
“They really limit their involvement to the more serious cases,” he said.
Philipp said he believes change needs to happen on a federal level, and does recognize the issue of illegal immigration concerns citizens.
“I sense it’s such a political hot potato no one really wants to make decisions,” Philipp said. “It’s a huge and significant issue in our state and in our city, but is something we really look to the federal government to make some real decisions.
“I think citizens deserve that,” he said. “Most folks try and be law-abiding people, and they see this violation of immigration laws as going unanswered.”
Meatpacking plant raids were a hot debate Monday, with citizens asking why facilities like Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa have been busted, netting numerous illegals, and Austin’s own Hormel Foods has not. They claimed Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi told them raids were planned three times, and “directives from Washington D.C.” stopped them each time; this claim has not been substantiated.
“We have had teams of enforcement officials from ICE come and do work in our community before,” Philipp explained, referring to agents seeking specific offenders for arrest. “Those have been very limited and very selective in nature.”
As far as companies like Hormel and Quality Pork Processors knowingly employing illegals, Philipp said he believes they go “above and beyond” what is required.
“From what I know, Hormel and QPP do use what ICE considers to be the state-o-f-the-art system and process that they recommend for immigration-checking during employment.
“Obviously, the most significant problem that comes up with that is that a lot of the people who come here illegally are actually using true identification,” he said.
Mayor Tom Stiehm, a retired detective with the police department, agrees that companies are doing what they can to deter illegal applicants, and denies allegations Austin is a “sanctuary city.”
“Austin is not a sanctuary city because we do not offer sanctuary to illegal immigrants,” Stiehm said. “Austin goes above what cities do already. We do everything in our power to enforce these laws. We check immigration status as soon as they’re arrested. If we get somebody who’s illegal, they go up to jail and we contact ICE.
“I don’t think the city should be coddling illegals,” he added. “One of the reasons I ran (for office) is because I was kind of familiar with this.”
Branstner has also chided the city for not utilizing the 287(g) program, a partnership through ICE that authorizes local law enforcement to enter into an agreement to “perform immigration law enforcement functions.”
Stiehm claims Branstner admitted to him he contacted ICE about training Austin police in 287(g), and they said coming to the city was not going to happen; officers would only be allowed to enforce it if they came to work in the metro area.
“He knows 287(g) would not work in Austin, and at the same time he’ll say that,” he said, referring to statements made at the forum. “He’s not telling the truth.
“Everyone knows it’s a problem,” he said of illegal immigration. “I’ve been to these forums before; they are not an exchange of information — it’s a shouting match. We don’t need people from outside of town coming in trying to rile everyone.”
Stiehm said he supports any change to immigration laws at a regional or national basis.
“Anything is better than what we have right now,” Stiehm said.
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Comments
Posted by tldurb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IT IS NOT ABOUT FIGHTING IN THE COMMUNITY IT IS ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO PAY OUR BILLS AND TAXES AND LIVE BY THE LAWS VERSUS THOSE WHO COME HERE AND GET THINGS HANDED TO THEM AND WE PAY FOR IT. WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CRIME RATE AND THOSE WHO COME HERE AND GET BY WITH EVERYTHING. IF WE WOULD ALL BE LIVING IN AUSTIN LEGALLY AND LIVE BY THE LAWS WE WOULDN'T NEED THE NEW JAIL THAT IS GOING TO COST US A FORTUNE. MAYBE WE SHOULD GO TO THEIR COUNTRY AND TAKE OVER.
Posted by bkvoorhees (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I grew up in Austin and have had hopes of retiring back to Austin in the next fews years. I frequent Austin a few times of year to visit family. This problem with immigrants has become very apparant to me. I have seen the
negative affect it has made that continues to grow each time I have visited. I concerns me enough that I am reconsidering a move back to Austin. Don't get me wrong, America was founded on immigration, but there are situations, like Austin, where better controls need to be in place. Nationally, this is becoming a serious problem. Contact your local and state representatives, invite them to come and hear your concerns, then they can take that to state and national levels.
thank you
Bill Voorhees
Posted by Moxygen (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Always playing the race card! It's been overplayed way too many times and has gotten old.
Race has NOTHING to do with expecting our laws to be abided by and enforced!
If someone has entered this country illegally, they HAVE broken the law and ARE criminals! and should be treated as such.
Posted by ltjrdsj (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Knowing first hand the law enforcement doesn't do there job when it comes to illegal immigrates, when they have broken our laws and have been convicted of a crime, deported for that crime they are back here in Austin not even two weeks later and they do nothing about it, The person was suposed to recieve jail time if ever back in the USA, The local and county law enforcement was told he was back in town, told where to go to find him and did nothing.
There is going to be nothing but problems in this town till something gets done.
Posted by MarvelousMisadventures (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@tldurb
Most studies claiming to calculate the net "costs" of immigration to the U.S. economy suffer from one or more fatal flaws:
• They rely upon single-year "snapshots" of the immigrant population that fail to account for the fact that the income levels and tax contributions of immigrants increase over time and from generation to generation;
• They count the education and care of the U.S.-born children of immigrants as "costs" incurred by immigrant households, but classify these same children as "natives" when they are working, tax-paying adults;
• They do not consider economic contributions such as consumer purchasing power and the formation of businesses, both of which create jobs and provide federal, state, and local governments with additional revenue through sales, income, business, and property taxes.
Here's why they're not getting things handed to them, as you claim.
The vast majority of immigrants are not eligible to receive public benefits such as Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or food stamps for many years after their arrival in the United States, if ever. Legal permanent residents must pay into the Social Security and Medicare systems for approximately 10 years before they are eligible to receive benefits when they retire. In most cases, legal permanent residents CAN NOT receive SSI, which is available only to U.S. citizens, and are not eligible for means-tested public benefits until 5 years after receiving their green cards. Undocumented immigrants, who comprise nearly one-third of all immigrants in the country, are not eligible for any kind of public benefits—ever. [1]
Your comments, as well as those made in the forum Monday night, are unsubstantiated claims.
Endnotes:
[1] Ruth Ellen Wasem, Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Public Assistance: Policy Overview and Trends (RL33809). Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, January 19, 2007, pp. 18-20.
Posted by Moxygen (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps they don't qualify for some of the programs you listed but they DO often get; Free school lunches, Free Interpreter services, Section 8 Housing, Food Stamps, Free medical care including dental care, AFDC (welfare), Free meals, food shelf, and holiday baskets from the Salvation Army, Free school supplies, and much more.
This coupled with working a fulltime job under a different identity make for a very nice existence for them!
Posted by Bettybb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone in Austin should contact Prince Williams County in Virginia.
They passed a law requiring the police to check the immigration status of every person stopped by police for an infraction. They added a program at the cost of 3 million to ensure there was no racial profiling. Since the start of the program, illegal aliens have fled, and there has been a drop of 19% in the crime rate. The school has saved 6.5 million by not having to educate the kids of people who have no right to here.
Someone should also check and see who exactly is funding your Welcome Center.
In Maryland, a similar organization that aids and abets lawbreaking illegals, is receiving funds from President Cesear Chavez of Venezuela.
Posted by Bettybb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It certainly looks like there is a concerted program to retake the USA by Mexico and other Hispanic Countries.
Don't be naive.
Do you know only 13% of Mexicans who have the right to become American do so? Odd isn't it? In Mexico there have been ad campaigns by beer companies and Absolut vodka showing a map of Mexico which includes the western USA, labelled as Mexico.
In California Gov. Schwarzenegger pointed out to Hispanics that of all immigrants, Hispanic are way behind in learning English. He suggested they turn off the Spanish TV and start to associate with non Hispanics. You can imagine the howls of protest!
Posted by Bettybb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only racism in the illegal alien debate are the illegals and their supporters.
Our immigration law provides a roughly equal chance for family reunification for all Americans and chance at coming to the USA to all races and ethnic groups.
The Pew Hispanic Center has estimated almost all illegals are Hispanic. Border control says 95% of people caught are Hispanic.
What the illegals and their supporters want is a racist PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT for HISPANICS over all other Americans, races and ethnic groups in the 1. number of people allowed in, 2. timing of arrival, and 3. conditions of entry. Legal limmigrants have to pass background, medical, history and other tests, and must guarantee not to use our social benefits for x number of years.
The illegal aliens and their supporters position is racist as all get out. It violates our constitutions anti discrimination clause and equal protection of the law clause.
Also, La Raza (THE Race, as in the Superior Race) is racist o the max. It is the Hispanic American group that say one thing in English and presents quite a different face in Spanish. Before they went to DC to lobby they cleaned up their web site. I saw the before web site, with the link to map showing reconquest of western USA, which they call Aztlan.
Check out the group MEChA, This charming group also advocates the reconquest of the Western USA, and killing all non Hispanics. Yes, genocide. Believe it or not, in So. CA this group meets in public schools.
Posted by Bettybb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You should ask your police if they are prosecuting illegals for identity theft, using forged documents or tax evasion. If they are not, why are they not doing so? Those are not immigration offenses. If an American engaged in this type of behavior he would be prosecuted and spend time in jail.
If they arrest an illegal, all they have to do is ask if he is working. If he is, he is either using forged documents, has stolen someone's id, or is working under the table (tax evasion). Charge these criminals.
Posted by Bettybb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by MarvelousMisadventures (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@tldurb
Most studies claiming to calculate the net "costs" of immigration to the U.S. economy suffer from one or more fatal flaws:
• They rely upon single-year "snapshots" of the immigrant population that fail to account for the fact that the income levels and tax contributions of immigrants increase over time and from generation to generation;
• They count the education and care of the U.S.-born children of immigrants as "costs" incurred by immigrant households, but classify these same children as "natives" when they are working, tax-paying adults;
• They do not consider economic contributions such as consumer purchasing power and the formation of businesses, both of which create jobs and provide federal, state, and local governments with additional revenue through sales, income, business, and property taxes.
.........................................................................
Wrong.
1. The studies are about illegal aliens, not immigrants. Multigeneral data is irrevelant.
2. They do not include the costs for American born kids, ie schooling. They do include the cost of illegals having those kids which are paid by the US taxpayer.
3. They do consider the economic value of illegals.
What have all studies found, including the congressinal buget office? Illegals are costing American taxpayer a bundle. In CA, their net cost (after all benefits are added) is 10.5 billion a year. It is estimated nationally that over 87 billion a year is what these criminals are costing the US taxpayer.
Posted by Bettybb (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Paul Samuelson, the famous economist, has pointed out that what we need to do is to take the best and brightest as immigrants, as they add more to the economy then they take out. Low skilled immigrants take more out of the economy than they put in, until they or their offspring obtain a high school education. Immigrant groups traditionally do so in the second generation. Per the Pew Hispanic Center, Hispanics are taking 4 generations to reach this milestone and become self supporting in our economy.
Posted by minnesotaguyincalinow (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too HAD thoughts of coming back home, but to what, this racist and backward thinking communinity. I'd be more comfortable almost anywhere but here. If people don't stand up to these 'minuteman', or as we in San Diego like to call them, MInutemen...Austin will wither away. So SAD that a few backward thinking individuals can command so much attention. Come on now you moderate, liberal thinking individuals make your voices be heard and drown out these small minded snakes.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm calling you out, minnesotaguyincalinow! No way you live in a border state.
I do not believe for one second that anyone who has lived in a border state could write what you did. No one from San Diego could be so darn ignorant of what life is like among the illegal population! I have a close (female) friend who joined the Minute Men. They have saved countless immigrants who would have died in the desert while crossing in the summer. They deserve a lot of credit for what they do.
Racist? Backward thinking? Small minded snakes? What is wrong with you? It takes a pretty small mind to call people who want people to enter this country legally, to not destroy our culture, to pay taxes, to pay their way and not just take, names like that. When I lived in Arizona I was an E.R. nurse. I'd see illegals flooding the emergency rooms all night long, they never paid a dollar on a bill, and when they left the E R they'd go out and crawl into their Lincoln Navigator or Nissan Armada. Priorities, you know? Never pay a bill that a taxpayer could pay for you.
Arizona has passed laws keeping the children of illegals from attending college at reduced (taxpayer supported) tuition. They passed a law requiring employers to use e-verify to ensure that the employee has the right to work in the U S. For those reasons, illegals are leaving Arizona, so the rest of the country better be prepared to follow suit or to be inundated.
I don't know about YOUR ancestry, but MY ancestors filed a request with the German government in 1844 and were granted permission to leave Germany in 1845. They received permission to emigrate to the U S. They did NOT come here illegally. They didn't bring the economy down by lowering wages and eliminating worker benefits. They didn't expect free medical care.
Tell me that San Diego isn't the car theft capital of the U S? Tell me that Arizona isn't the #1 state for identity theft. Tell me that those aren't problems caused by illegals.
When is the last time you applied for a job? I know American kids who were thoroughly background checked for jobs (one at a Scottsdale junior high school) and didn't get the job becuase of some small infraction in their past. On the other hand, and illegal, who couldn't be background checked GOT the job. Within a year he was on trial for rape and child molestation. Racism? How about honest concern for WHO is entering this country and HOW they enter this country? How about taking care of Americans first for a change?
There is no other country in this world that is as generous as America. We are the first ones on the scene of any disaster or tragedy, regardless of race or creed. People who call American's racist just tick me off. You are so ignorant that I'm sure reasoning with people like you is just not an option.
Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY!!!
OUR ACCEPTABLE IMMIGRATION REFORM
#1. Secure the Border!!!
#2. Mandate E-Verify for ALL Employees!!!
#3. Mandate E-Verify for ANY Benefit!!!
#4. Stop the Underground Economy!!!
#5. End Birthright Citizenship for Illegals!!!
......and make it retroactive!!!
#6. End Chain Migration!!!
#7. Make English our Official Language!!!
#8. Cut Off Federal Funds to Sanctuary Cities!!
NOTHING MORE!!! NOTHING LESS!!!
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You must not have children in school who have so many non-english speaking classmates that the class is slowed to catch up the foreigners. My daughters school has 3 ESL Teachers and 1 interpreter just to work with non-english speaking students. Thats just one elementary school, lets add all the schools and figure what the cost of just extra help for assimilating these students is. We wouldnt have to cut our Physical Ed, Music, and Art programs if this money wasn't going toward the children of illegals.
Dont get me wrong if we are going to have illegals we better damn well get them educated so they aren't turning to crime and low wage jobs, but the fact is they shouldnt be here in the first place pushing our schools budgets to the limit.
Illegals owning businesses is not a good contribution. How do we know if they are reporting their sales tax and other taxes. Businesses run by illegals are notorious for paying cash wages (no income tax paid, unemployment insurance tax paid), paying below state and federal mandated minimum wages, fail to obtain nessesary licenses and insurance for business, money laundering, people trafficking etc. Sounds like contributions I want in my community.
Illegal immigration is bad for US, and good for them. Enough said. Bye Bye.
I have seen little hate spewed on these boards and most of the hate I see is directed toward the citizens who are starting to stand up for what is the law of our country.
If you want them to be here so badly and they are such an asset to our country than why dont you get all your friends together and start sponsoring these illegals instead of asking the tax payers to pay.
Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, illegal immigrants have absolutely no right to be in our United States.
Illegals broke our laws when they entered our country.
There are, presently, over 8.8 million unemployed American citizens, and that number is growing every single day.
It is against our laws for ANYONE to employ an illegal within our United States.
Yet, illegals, using forged, falsified, or stolen, identities, illegally obtain jobs, that rightfully belong to American workers.
Americans need those jobs, and they need them now.
Mandate that all employers use E-Verify, and let's rid our country of illegal workers.
Austin needs to talk to Fairfax County, VA; that is where the illegals went to after Prince William County ran them out. When the illegals left Prince William County, Prince William County's crime rate dropped over 20%. At the same time, as if by coincidence, Fairfax County's, crime rate, went up over 20%. Simply amazing!!
Imagine that!!!
Illegals need to leave our country!!!
NOW!!!
Illegal immigrants, on average, each cost American taxpayers over $9,000, per year.
Yes, they do!!!
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Enough said Mallory, I think we are done here trying paint a picture of how illegal immigration is affecting our country. These people are obviously blind.
Posted by DelRey (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe the director of the Welcome Center wants to play the victim. Three years ago she stated on KAAL, " When someone sells a green card, thats an agreement between two parties". When leaders of any organization use the race card it is sad and lack of education.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not quite Taco, one more thing...disease...I have a friend whose son had to be tested for TB, the pulic health nurse wouldn't say where he had been exposed to the TB. How, if we don't know exactly who these people coming into the country are do we know what their health records are and what kind of public health threat they may cause? Back when you had to prove yourself to enter this country these things were checked This country has not had problems with TB for years. I believe they no longer do the mantoux tests in schools, which is something they use to do every year back when I was in school. Now people are being exposed as in days gone by. Health care workers are tested every year. We aren't even protecting the children by having them tested! Not to mention the rest of us!
Posted by Buzzm1 (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Racism??
I hadn't realized that illegals immigrants were classified as a race.???
Illegals, a race unto themselves. They are invaders. They are a parasites that are draining our country of our social welfare.
Our country cannot afford to expand our working poor by another 20 million illegal immigrants.
We now provide for our own working poor.
We cannot afford to provide for another 20 million working poor, especially since they are not our own.
Household Incomes 2005 (latest figures available)
$0 to $25,000 (28.22%)
$25,000 to $50,000 (26.65%)
National Median $44,389
$50,000 to $75,000 (18.27%)
$75,000 to $100,000 (10.93%)
$100,000 to $149,999 11,194 9.89%
$150,000 to $199,999 3,595 3.17%
$200,000 to $249,999 1,325 1.17%
$250,000 and above 1,699 1.50%
Do the good citizens of Austin, and in fact, all of American, when we double the number of working poor in our country.
$0 to $25,000 (28.22%)
In 2005, over 28% of the households in our country had incomes of under $25,000.
Can we afford to have that number increase substantially?? Illegals fall into that category
Who pays for the education of their 6 children?? Who pays for their healthcare?? Who pays for their welfare and food stamps?? Who pays for their section-8 housing??
That's right. The American taxpayer pays for them.
and we already have more than we can handle.
A rapidly increasing National Debt of over 9 Trillion dollars.
A dollar that's losing value, dropping like a rock.
Are you willing to place the burden of paying for illegal immigrants on your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even your great-great-great grandchildren.
That's what it amounts to.
Posted by DelawareBob (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“He knows 287(g) would not work in Austin....."
Why not? It appears to be working in other places like Prince William and many other places. Maybe Texas needs a State Immigration Law like Arizona, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Georgia and other States. It's time to get these ILLEGAL ALIENS out of this Country and back to their own country. The problems with them are just, well, overwhelming! The Americans are fed up with all the entitlements these ILLEGAL ALIENS think they deserve. The only thing these ILLEGAL ALIENS are entitled to is a one way ticket back to their home country!
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, Taco, perhaps you are right. In California and Arizona it's just a boiling pot and my #1 reason for leaving Arizona. The day I went into CVS Pharmacy and not ONE aisle sign was in English was the day I knew I'd stayed in the Southwest too long.
We did have ESL in all schools in Arizona but the thing is, the ILLEGAL hispanics weren't the least bit interested in assimilation. They view Arizona and New Mexico as their territory and they see no reason to learn English. The Tucson school district has been under fire for the last year for ALLOWING La Raza to be taught in Tucson schools.
One point, MarvelousMisadventures says that illegals are not eligible to receive public assistance but there are so many ways around that it isn't even funny. It isn't public assistance if you show up at an Emergency Room (hospitals MUST provide emergency care regardless of ability to pay) so illegals use E R as primary care. They get FREE medical. If an American tried that, they'd take their DNA if necessary, to track them down for payment. Their illegal children are denied public assistance for college tuition so the President of ASU (Michael Crow) put together privately funded "scholarships" for illegals... all while poor American children (INLCUDING NATIVE AMERICANS) either worked their way through college or didn't go. As far as qualifiying for public benefits... they just use the same stolen ID to collect benefits as they do to get a job. The public assistance workers don't think it's at all odd that the non English speaking, raven haired, dark skinned woman sitting in front of them is named Barbara Carlson.
In addition to all the other ways illegals cost Americans money, don't overlook the fact that none of them have legal drivers licenses and they don't have insurance. The property damage and loss of life caused by these illegal drivers is absolutley astronomical. As far as patronizing businesses... again, half the time they don't pay thier bills and the only businesses they patronize on a regular basis are businesses that are owned by hispanics, serving the hispanic community only.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi, DelawareBob...
Good point, only it's Minnesota. This Austin is in Minnesota, not Texas.... Our border is Canada, but we aren't having a problem with a ton of illegal Candaians crossing over for our jobs! It's amazing how fast the illegal southern border crossers can head north once the southwest started cracking down! I thought I could outrun them, but, guess not.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Taco..good point having the people who are making money off of them sponsor them, so our taxes aren't affected. I'd like to add pay for the jail too! Oh yes, and their sponsors can walk side by side to the doctor and both be tested for TB. I know at Ellis Island they checked the immigrants for lice too! I'm sure the sponsors wouldn't want lice running around on their plush carpets! One more thing, I think they should have to live in their sponsors fancy home with them for 5 years until they learn how to speak fluent english!
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not all the people who want illegal immigration to be ignored are rich. The poor people are the worst. I know some of my co-workers and many others I have talked to that make less money than me, think that it is good. They are so wrapped up in the feeling that we are doing good for them and we should feel sorry for them.
They always say to me that I am cold hearted and say "How would you feel". I would feel pretty scared and probably move home, I get scared to pass a cop when I've forgoten my seatbelt.
Go home and call minnesotaguyincalinow for some sponsorship money and a place to stay, then come back and you will be my guest, I'll take the both of you out for dinner.
Posted by Moxygen (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Learn the difference between LEGAL immigrant and ILLEGAL ALIEN!
This is NOT a race issue! As someone else already stated, "Being an Illegal Alien is not a race"!
Anyone in Austin caught knowingly employing or harboring (renting to) an illegal alien should be charged with a crime.
Posted by jangel (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's funny how people talk out of their emotions and preceptions of what's going on. When it seems they are really very ignorant to the real truth. Binded by frustrations and not having clear facts to back them up only showning half of the picture.
Are country was founded by many different immigrants from over seas. But the land never belong to them it belonged to the indains which we drove unto reservations because we felt they were heathens. At that time many nations immigrated here. Many spanish immigrants you see here today are of Mayan indian decesent. They have been on this side of the world since before the first immigrants step foot here. I'm white my great grandma was undocumented for a long after coming here. Also we blame the spanish people for the lack of jobs in the US and Austin. Go to the store start reading where half poducts are made China and are clothes Guatemala etc. A lot of the jobs we claim the spanish are taking is a lie . Many factorys have been moved over seas for cheap labor taking millions of jobs from the us. We would have plenty of jobs for immgrants and US citizen if we corrected this ,but we find it easiar to attack the spanish people. Their are roughly 75'000 Irish immigrants in New York I don't see us running after them and china's ,black etc . When see a spanish person we run like mad pointing fingers. The older generation has forget their roots and seems to hate change and it is mostly older people with the problems with spanish in Austin it seems. Also the myth that they are using walfare is a myth. I know for fact you cannot get any welfare money,food stamps,health insurance if you don't have legal documents to present to welfare. Also they cannot collect taxes working under some elses name the pay those taxes free to the goverment. And cannot get Hud if their a spanish person in the home undocumented they lose that percent of the money grant. I know for a fact that are enforcement team is also wacthing and cutting down on welfare fraud. I'm also thankful that we do not do large raids if you care about the damage done to family the fear it puts children and how many end up without parentsand in foster homes. Maybe you should study the results of what you are asking and it's effectson familys and community's.
Also you say their is a rasie in crime well if 50 % to 40% are spanish of course some will be in trouble same for white people . If you read the paper their are alot of white peolpe in involed in drug crimes ( meth)etc . It's racist to blame all spanish for in crime .More like their is arise inmmoral behavior in general in America as you see in Tv and in acceptance of same sex marriage ect we suffer from sin we choose to do. And we are allowing it to be acceptable more and more acceptable in society .. He who is without sin cast the first stone. We dying from our lack of knowledge we are destroying ourselfs and others around us . Is this love or hate. ?
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 1:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jangle... I'm afraid that YOU are the one with only half the facts. Have you ever lived outside of Mower County? You have NO IDEA what you are preaching about.
First ..my ancestors came here LEGALLY and I'm sure that's true of everyone on this forum.
Secondly, I have no problem with LEGAL IMMIGRANTS who assimilate into the culture of the United States of America.
Third, it is NOT a lie that illegal aliens are taking U S jobs. GO TO ARIZONA OR ANY OTHER BORDER STATE. The entry level jobs are GONE, and Americans are UNEMPLOYED.
Fourth, It is absolutely NOT a myth that illegals receive benefits. They use the same fake documentation they use to obtain housing and jobs. Luckily for you, it's apparently not been YOUR ID. YET.
Fifth, You think we should be concerned about 50,000 illegal Irish? I promise you, if there were 150,000 illegal Mexicans here this would not even be a topic. Why would we be concerned about 50,000 Irish when there are somewhere between 12 and 30 MILLION illegal hispanics here???
Finally... CRIME. Please. I do have the facts after living in a border state for the last 30 years. The looney liberals in this country do NOT tell the truth. They claim that the illegals are represented in prision in the same percentage as they are represented in the community.
Here are the facts that you DO NOT HEAR. (from FBI statistics)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-blog...
Try this on for starters: CRIME STATISTICS
95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
83% of warrants for murder in Phoenix are for illegal aliens.
86% of warrants for murder in Albuquerque are for illegal aliens.
The simple fact is that while they may be represented in the same percentage in prison as they are in communities, only about 4 % of crimes committed by illegals are non-violent crimes. Arizona offers illegals a reduced sentence if they will serve a short time and then return to Mexico, with the understanding that if they ever come back to the U S they will serve the rest of their sentence and then some! They can only offer that to people who have not committed a violent crime and that number is about 4% of the prison population. I can guarantee you that criminals who are legal citizens of the U S are not getting the same deal, and I can guarantee you that 96% of them are not violent criminals. In fact, it's probably closer to about 10%.
This has been said a million times. It's about border security, it's about a nation protecting it's soverignty and it's about turning this economy around and getting our own country back. We can't do it with low paying jobs, no benefits and Americans out of work. You aren't seeing the big picture in Minnesota yet, so I suggest (kindly) that you move to Arizona and see the problem for yourself.
You are just plain wrong on all counts.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Taco, That's funny that your coworkers who are at the lower end of the pay scale think you shouldn't be so hard hearted. Tell them the truth... it's their job that will go to the illegals, not yours. See how they feel about it then. I can't tell you how many people I saw out of work in California and Arizona because they were replaced by illegal labor. Arizona doesn't have unions.. your job there is as good as gone if someone will do it for less $$ or no benefits.
Posted by jangel (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 3:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The question is what is the percent of whites to spanish in Californa,Arizona. If their is more spanish in the area of course their will be less white people in trouble for crime. Also if we are going to get so picky about immigration with spanish then we should be looking for every racethats illegal. Remember you said no illegal should be allow to be employed or be rented to. If it's only about the spanish then yes your races about one race of people. God is not a respector of people he see everyone the same your not better or deserve more than the spanish cause your white. We all human have needs and feelings it's not about race or color. If ancestor wy back here and permission to live here legally did they ask the owners of the land? The rightfully owners the indians. You think not having jobs is bad try being kick off your land being put on reservations ,murdered in larger numbers . We as white immigrants did evil when we came too in a much greater way.We took land that was not ours sold it off and took it as ours. It's intersting that the indains are wise and taking back something for themselves in their casnio's . REMEMEBER look at dallor bill it says In God we trust .
Posted by ihardlythinkso (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 5:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jangle you kill me. This is 2008. Our founding fathers were often slave owners. Things change. Look at your calendar, and then act appropriately.
And learn to spell.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Again I will try to put everyone's view where it needs to be. GREED! The out and out disrespect for our laws and for our fellow citizens by those who need more and more.
Did anyone want to make a comment on the disease issue? Why aren't mantoux tests being done on the students. Maybe there is a nurse out there who could shed some light..and preferrably not one who is connected to the corporation in town.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I see the director of the Welcome Center mentioned local foundations are helping to fund the Welcome Center...HUMMMMMMMMMMM! Are all of my true blue fellow american citizens thinking the same thing I am?
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
2madmamamas: The TB issue is worse than you know. We started seeing a resurgence of TB in Arizona in the mid to late 1990's and by 2000 the word was out... the TB was coming in with the illegal Mexicans and a strain that was resistant to traditional drugs. Here is an article that was originally printed in the Phoenix Business Journal although it now seems to appear on a website that is anti-illegal immigration. That should not taint the original material, and if you note, one of the authors IS HISPANIC.
http://www.alipac.us/article408.html
Not only is there a resurgence of drug resistant TB, but also Polio, malaria and leprosy are being seen in this country again. People in third world countries are not vaccinated as we are, so they are bringing these contagious diseases in.
Threats are not only to our health, but again, overburdening the health care system and hospitals and endangering health care professionals.
It's a very serious issue and I'm glad you brought it up. There are so many problems with illegal immigration that it's daunting to know where to start.
Posted by jangel (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm wondering if you are refering to the illegal immigrants as being greedy ? Some yes may come because they want all this stuff for themselves or after they have been here a while they think alot of themselves as you see in their fancy cars. But many come because of the proverty they live in their country. I think everyone should try living there some time in that proverty it would make you risk dying to cross the border. Also many help send money to thier family's that are in proverty. Alot of them have children left behind . They are desperate to be here. They give visa more readily to people down there with some type of business or have money casue they feel they will profit the US. If your poor they don't show up say will gave a visa at a affordable rate here cause we no your poor . Thats why many people cross without getting a visa it's easier to get a visa in other countrys than there. You come in on a passport from many others country not mexico.
Also on the out look of spanish crime rates not all many people in trouble with the law are illegal they have papers illegals stay more quiet. we cannot just get rid of them because we don't like spanish people or we feel they commit more crime.
Posted by milesaway (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These people are humans like you and I. They are here mostly because they want to work and support their families. Sure some use id's that belong to others, some recieve public assistance. But why put all this on LEC. You know human services could go out and make house calls. Everyone has a huge caseload but maybe thats when the people need to step up to the governor and say ok I'd be willing to donate 2 hours of my time a week to help make sure anyone recieving public help deserves it. Or for all you who know a illegal person who holds a job and recieves public assistance we do have a fraud hotline. Or any other color husband or boyfriend who lives in a household with their own child and recieves public assistance we do have a fraud hotline. LEC start issuing tickets with fines and make them pay the fine or they go to jail, then put a picture and their consquence in the paper for all to see. These people all seem to think its only Mexicans who do wrong.
Oh, for your information, you talk about the border being closed, well I know someone who works in Arizona where they are building the fence for the border. Did you know that all the millions of dollars we are paying to keep illegals out the government has these fences made with a doggie type door in them so the reptiles that live in the desert can go back and forth. These doors are the size of doggie doors. Can you fit threw a doggie door????? Look at the government for these problems, they help create them and then give a solution for them but also keep the problem. Why do we let Canadian's come here and live. Wouldn't they be illegal too???????
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jangels..please look at past posting sights on the coalition and read what I have written...you will understand.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Canada doesn't need the jobs we have here. They seem to be taking care of their own. Yes, the illegal aliens are human beings. So are the legal citizens who have worked years to build Austin, Mower County, Minnesota and the United States of America. The citizens of this country have not worked hard all these years to have this country taken over by having identities stolen or paying out social services to people who should be taken care of by their own government! Still the illegal aliens are the tip of the iceberg...it is they who went across the border to entice them here who are absolutely in the wrong! They first and foremost need to be held accountable.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jangle: You're making this hard.
You question the percentage of white to hispanic in Arizona/California and try to justify the prison statistics. The TRUTH IS, PAY ATTENTION HERE... they are committing crimes in proportion to their percentage of population BUT 96% of the crimes they commit are VIOLENT CRIMES. In other words, Americans might be going to prison for drug use, or theft or embezzelment. Illegals are going to prison for rape, murder,etc. Only 4% of crimes in Arizona committed by ILLEGALS are non-violent. The rate for AMERICANS committing violent crimes (REGARDLESS OF RACE) is less than 15-20% depending on the year, etc.
There aren't more illegals in prison than there are in the population, they're just more violent. READ the FBI report. It's very easy to understand. 95% of the warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for ILLEGAL ALIENS. L A is not populated by 95% illegals or 95% hispanic and 5 % legals. (sorry everyone else.. I know this is redundant)
The OTHER point I tried to make is that if there were100,000 illegals, or a million illegals... we would NOT be talking about it. Unfortunately that's not the case. YOU are the one distinguishing the Irish illegals from others. WE are talking about the problems in OUR community and I haven't met any illegal Irishmen or illegal Chinese here yet.
Jangle, I'm glad I don't have to try and live with your guilt. I just refuse to take responsibility for something that happened 100 years before I was born. Slavery was wrong but there wouldn't have been an active slave trade without the participation of the Africans who SOLD their brothers to whites. Slavery was a fact of African life LONG before whites got involved. It doesn't justify it, but the Africans who are in the U S are certainly far better off now than their cousins. (Look at Obama vs. his half brothers who live in huts on $1 month.)
If you study Indian culture you'll find that they were always at war with each other long before the white man came. Apaches were feared throughout the Southwest, and they preyed unmercifully on upon the peaceful farming tribes
To use that as an excuse to argue that the United States is not a sovereign nation and does not have the right to protect it's borders and control who enters is beyond absurd.
You need to quit pointing fingers at people who want to protect this country. You are calling us racists, and that is completely false. You refer to Hispanic as a race. I was taught that there were 3 races... Caucasian, Negroid, Mongoloid, but I believe that anthropoligists have added Australiod, for the Aborigini people of Australia. 'Hispanic' is not a race. In your arguement they were here first. Wrong. The hispanics living in the Southwest when it was annexed to the U S are still living there. Illegals are not displaced people and they have no right to be here.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Milesaway. Are you nuts? Have you ever seen the border fence?? I have and I'll tell you what THERE IS NO DOGGY DOOR or any other opening! In some sections it's 10-foot-tall primary fence made of welded steel. Newer construction is a 14-foot-tall secondary fence about 130 feet north of the existing barrier and a chain-link fence, mirrors that secondary fence another hundred yards away.
Where do you get this crap? GO DOWN AND STAND ON THE BORDER WITH THE MINUTE MEN ONE DAY and you'll see a whole different picture.
in 2005 the Border Patrol APPREHENDED 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE illegally crossing into the U S., and they figure they caught 1 in 4. DO THE MATH.
Poor people... We build auto factories in Hermosillo, we enact NAFTA, we do all we can to create jobs down there and rather than put any effort into fixing their own problems they come here and create the same living conditions they had in Mexico. They bring disease and crime. ILLEGAL. Get it??
Do you know a lot of illegal Canadians??? I sure as heck don't. My former boss was a Canadian, in Arizona, ON A WORK PERMIT. Canadians are allowed to retire here, but they come in to the country LEGALLY. Canada is having IT'S share of illegal immigration from terrorist states in the Middle east and like Europe, they didn't act fast enough and now they are in real trouble.
Get over the idea that this is about race. Overpopulation in third world countries has led to starvation, disease, lack of jobs, poverty, and you think we should open the doors and just let the U S go down the same road. Why not do airlifts from Darfur or Malaysia and bring those poor people here too? Where does it end? And what about terrorists?? The Associated Press reported that Mexican immigration police detained 13 citizens of Yemen on Sept. 24, 2001, who were reportedly waiting to cross the border into Arizona. The Yemenis were arrested Sunday in Agua Prieta, across the border from Douglas.
or this??
http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/t...
Posted by equalopportunist (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This whole problem with The Welcome Center began when the spineless city council and mayor "welcomed" all of the non-illegals/illegals to town to provide Hormel Foods with an instant employee pool.
How do I know Mayor Rietz was more than accommodating to these new residents? Because she and her husband sold their house in the southwest part of Austin to Ms. Silvestry when she first arrived. Now Silvestry has a second home and is renting out her first home.
I have lived in Austin most of my life, I'm college-educated, and have never owned ONE home. How is it that Austin rewards people who are new citizens and makes it more difficult to loan money to citizens who were born here? Why not try to retain the people who are already here instead of creating a "Home Makeover: Community Edition" situation?
I think Austin's leadership priorities are straight out of "Bizzarro World". We give handouts to people first and expect them to work for it later. I always thought people were rewarded for hard work afterwards. I also know that the law enforcement is too lazy to get worked up about illegal immigration because of the lax way they go about enforcing speed limits and other ordinances in Austin.
The "racism" comment by Silvestry is a cheap shot by someone who's afraid of losing her community standing and cushy career. Are we not to question things that are out of whack, illegal, and seem unfair to non-mmigrants without being LABELED? Her labeling of her accusers is just as racist in it's own way--- if you don't agree with Silvestry and don't take all of her clients to your busoms, you must be ANTI-LATINO!
By the way, a Polish national was recently arrested for trying to smuggle two illegal immigrants from Poland and Slovakia into the U.S. through Duluth via Canada. Are we to say that people who applaud this arrest are anti-Polish or anti-Slovakian? Does that make us racist for encouraging enforcement of U.S. law??
I am also tired, like many other non-immigrants, of hearing about Latinos worried about company raids and other law enforcement crackdowns splitting up their families. If you are here LEGALLY, what are your worries? That would be akin to a group of meth-users publicly decrying recent drug busts.
If you feel that I am biased one way or another on this issue, I can only state that I have a member of my family who married a Columbian and gave birth to a beautiful girl I call my niece that I love very much.
The answer to the problem is simple: the Welcome Center should be forthcoming and transparent. If they are running it legally and are above-board about how they conduct themselves, what difference does it make what outsiders and other critics think?
People who are "thin-skinned" to criticism may be that way for a reason--- if you are illegal and/or are protecting illegals, you SHOULD be worrying! If you all obeyed local, state, and federal laws you would have NO worries!!
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very well said equalopportunist and Malory. You forgot to mention that Mayor Steihm went on TV a year or two ago and said that there is a place in our community for the illegals. This was an about face from the platform he ran on, and now that there is a little bit of pressure from the silent majority who are not being so silent anymore, he has decided to turn back to the platform he ran for mayor on. Which way is it going to be Mayor Stiehm? I'm confused...will the real Mayor Stiehm please step forward?
Posted by stars_and_pipes (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
let's just make mexico the fifty first state so everyone gets taxed, educated, and we can all be bilingual like the europeans. There is a movie called "a day without mexicans" I think all of you writing in this forum should watch it.
Posted by stars_and_pipes (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the movie is called "a day without a mexican" another good movie that shows the arrogance of americans in regards to their illegal helpers is "babel"..........................grow compassion in your hearts for ALL people. We are all struggling.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have. In order to make life mirror the movies, the Mexicans in Arizona took to the streets May 1, 2007 to show us how horrible our lives would be without them. It barely made a blip on the radar.
Let me tell you what life in Arizona was like on a day without illegal help. My son got a great job paying $20 an hour as a concrete finisher because the Mexican who had the job didn't come to work that day. Car wash in Gilbert was a bit slow because they only had a few Native Americans working on the first day, and managers had to fill in but by the second day they had a lot of American kids working. Fast food was fine, because they use a lot of retired people. I went to one Ross store in Chandler and the managers were working the cash registers but at least they could direct me to items I was looking for because they spoke English, which was a real treat. Some businesses reported a drop in sales, but it was reportedly offset by the drop in shoplifting. To shorten this, let me just say that the June 07 march that was suppose to bring hundreds of thousands out, brought out 100 people. It was led by a guy who use to have a Spanish Radio station in Phoenix, Salvadore Reza.
This year, no marches. I guess they didn't like finding out they were NO BIG DEAL to the majority of citizens.
When I lived in Arizona I had a landscaper who was a legal resident and had NO illegal employees. I hired a cleaning service that sent people who couldn't speak English, I sent them home. I had a masonry contractor send me illegals to put stone on my walls and I sent them home. I was paying journeyman stone cutter wages to the company, who paid minimum wages to the workers and pocketed the difference. That's what was going on in most cases and I had no qualms about refusing to have illegals on my property. My friends weren't as lucky. They hired some illegals who just drove up and knocked on the door saying they'd skin the palm trees for $40 each. My friend said OK, only to find that they were topping them instead. She stopped them and told them not to top them, to SKIN them like the pictures they'd shown her. They understood enough English to say "Oh, no, that's $20 a foot." She sent them packing right then and there and they came back the next day and broke into her house. Fortunately her German Shepherd was home and so were the neighbors. They were arrested about 5 minutes after the broke the lock on the back door.
Oh, and stars and pipes... there is such a thing as a temporary work visa that is quick, inexpensive and easy to obtain. What's wrong with doing it legally?
Posted by Bummer (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah, I would be willing to bet $1.43(American) that jangel is Hispanic. He/she writes as if English is not his/her primary language.
Not trying to criticize...just a hunch.
Posted by Moxygen (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Source quoted from theamericanview.com:
"Let’s say some woman breaks into your house. Let’s say that when you discover her in your house, you insist that she leave.
But she says, “I’ve made all the beds and washed the dishes and done the laundry and swept the floors; I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
Not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family’s insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family. My husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest (except for that breaking in part.)”
She continues, “If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends, who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It’s only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.”
She concludes, “And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing nothing for the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. (SHAME ON YOU!) Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.”
Posted by ihardlythinkso (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Moxygen,
A wonderful, accurate analogy. Thank you!
Problem is, people on the other side of this issue don't think. They MANIPULATE. (To keep status quo, which favors them.)
The muck, most notibly the tacky attack by Silvestry re racism and "Klu Klux Klan" references, shows the weakness and fear of the other side. The other side is GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER since current state of affiars favors their side which includes VIOLATING OUR LAWS.
Wake up Austin! Throw the current mayor out !!! He's a flip-flopping schmuck. Protest that HORMEL be accountable and explain to the community re hired illegals.
Has anyone stepped up to the plate to run against this flip-flopping wimp mayor ?!
Posted by Pedro (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As I have alredady read the main xenofobists concern clearly told in the previous posts, I feel compelled to comment: Is a real shame that the invaders of the once great Sioux nation and other indian domains are now talking about getting out the newcomers, after they stoled ALL the land they live on. I't s real pathetic example of hate bigotry.
Posted by willingworker (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pedro...the word is xynophobia. There was no national government on this continent prior to the establishment of the United States government. That said, your comment is about as clear a case for immigration restriction that could be stated. Ya' think?
Posted by stars_and_pipes (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know how any of us who were born and raised in america can complain about much of anything. Most of the world.....at least half, lives on less than 2 bucks a day. we do need healthcare reforms and education reforms......we need to invest in both of these fields so everyone has a free pass to better their lives.
Our government has sucked so much money to the top two percent of taxpayers that the rest of us are fighting over the crumbs, and when things get bad, people get bitter and ugly.
Yes, we should have stronger laws regarding corporate hiring practices, and yes, poverty begets crime, and crime begets spending more money on enforcement.
Let's try to love our neighbors and grow as a community together. The Mexicans aren't going to leave, and why should we spend our lives bitter and unhappy. Be thankful now for what you have, and elect democrats who will help distribute the wealth more equally.
Remember that this issue is bigger than immigrants, it is about a capitalistic philosophy that puts quarterly earnings above all else. THAT is the TRUE issue. Don't be mad at people who are trying to escape bad situations and make a better life, be mad at your white Christian brothers and sisters who really could care less if people are struggling financially, as long as the corporations make profits for themselves and their rich friends.
Try to be more spiritual and less concerned about what you don't have. Focus on what you do have, and fight for justice for all the world's citizens, most of whom are much worse off than the poorest of us in America. God Bless.
Posted by MarvelousMisadventures (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point stars and pipes!
We are ALL citizens of the Earth. What a lot of people fail to understand is that prohibition of any activity merely encourages illegal subversion of said activity. Current anti-immigration practices are NOT working, and even if they were, there are ALWAYS loopholes in ANY system. I hate to be the one to break it to you folks, but it's TRUE.
Every Fourth of July, the people of the United States proudly reaffirm the bold words of Thomas Jefferson that, "WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men Are Created Equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Jefferson's words are as true today as when first written.
To reiterate, I wish to say in the strongest terms I can muster, emboldened by the courage and fortitude of immigrants throughout the world and throughout history, that we should not be devising schemes and rationalizations for the restriction of liberty. Rather, let us take part in the fight against FEAR, PREJUDICE, CUSTOM, and LAW to champion freedom. This is practical, humanitarian, and, above all, ethical. Let us be a part of the drive for liberty today. Let us champion the millions of immigrants who are seeking liberty in the same manner that we would if we were in their shoes.
Posted by willingworker (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ya' know what MM, the illegal aliens I see demanding amnesty are not 'yearning to breathe free'...they seem to be using stolen identities to commit fraud. That is a crime. That is not 'seeking liberty', that is seeking what is not theirs. And it is not yours to give.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Checking in here, I have a HUGE problem with something Stars and pipes wrote. Quote "elect democrats who will help distribute the wealth more equally. "
That statement is frightening. Do you know the diference between communism and capitalism? The U S is a capitalist nation, an economic system that permits private ownership of property and industry. Businesses are operated for profit and prices are set by a free market. A simple capsulate would be to say "If you worked for it, earned it, then you get to keep it."
Communism is a theory which doesn't work and advocates a state of society in which there should be no private ownership, all property being vested in the community and labor organized for the common benefit of all members; the professed principle being that each should work according to his capacity, and receive according to his wants.
You are 100% correct in stating that "the Democrats", namely Barak Obama, believes in the redistribution of wealth. I worked for 40 years, long days, weekends, nights, holidays, missed my kids birthdays, wedding anniversaries and high school graduations. Coming from solid Minnesota people who grew up during the depression I bought only what I could afford and I saved for a rainy day. Minnesota is already a welfare state and we pay some of the highest state taxes in the nation. I saved for my retirement. I will be d***** if I want any Democrat getting into office and taking it upon himself to "redistribute" what I've worked all my life to have.
A final thought on this: Obama's attack on "big oil" and insinuating that "big oil" should give every American $1,000 back from it's "profits" is nothing more than Communism. Who owns big oil? Stockholders. Who are Stockholders? Every day working people who have invested their 401K or IRA or whose company has invested their pension fund. Suddenly Obama thinks that instead of paying investors, the oil companies should pay people who never put a red cent out in the first place. That does bother me a lot.
So, stars and pipes... if you REALLY want communism, Cuba is just 90 miles from Florida. Why not move to a lovely island in the Caribbean??
Posted by ihardlythinkso (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Rather, let us take part in the fight against FEAR, PREJUDICE, CUSTOM, and LAW to champion freedom."
MM, so you want to break in my home and tell me I'm fearful, prejudiced, afraid of anything new if I ask you to leave?
And you want to tell me you don't give a damn about any law which restricts you from invading my home?
"we should not be devising schemes and rationalizations for the restriction of liberty"
According to you, breaking in my home and setting up shop is your idea of liberty. And you are guilty of creating an ENORMOUS rationalization and self-deception saying illegal immigration laws enacted by this society's elected representatives is something you encourage others to "fight to ignore" because you think your own personal ethics are superior to mine and this society's.
What are you smoking ?!? Something halucinogenic I'd wager.
Posted by ihardlythinkso (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MM why don't you just admit that you see yourself as some sort of leader (or cheerleader) for chaos in America, and/or an invasive takeover of this country?
(Afterall it's what you truely believe, isn't it?!)
We have some handcuffs and an empty jail cell for people like you. (Whoops excuse me while we build a bigger jail, ours is currently full.)
Duh!
Posted by ihardlythinkso (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"that we should not be devising schemes ... for the restriction of liberty.
MM, I've got news for you: ALL laws are restrictive, almost by definition.
Law restricts me from driving thru a red light.
Law restricts me from invading your home and setting up shop.
Etc., etc. (Need more examples or perhaps did a light go on upstairs?!)
If you suggest to us that effort to restrict liberty (lawmaking) is a bad idea, then what you really want is a society WITHOUT laws.
Then nothing anyone does would be considered illegal.
Suits your aims & purposes JUST FINE, doesn't it!
Duh.
Posted by ihardlythinkso (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Try to be more spiritual and less concerned about what you don't have."
Wouldn't that just suit your agenda just fine, just perfectly in fact, stars_and_poops, if American citizens put their heads in the sand (thinking spiritually and doing nothing) so as not to interrupt the current flow of illegal immigrants (mostly Mexican) setting up shop in this country & community?!
I'm sure if you wanted to shoplift something in a store, you'd also prefer that the store employees focus on their spitual development for that particular moment, or if not that, at least look in the other direction.
Duh!
Posted by hunnit (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 3:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Born, raised and educated in Minnesota. Moved to Phoenix in 1985 to escape the cold, like many people from the midwest. I have lived in my house in Phoenix for ( 18 ) years. My neighborhood now has no semblance of Phoenix nor the United States. 99% of the people within a several mile radius speak Spanish first, Spanglish second. Spanish is the assumed language. If anyone thinks illegal aliens are here for a better life, they are dead wrong. Take it from me, I know. I live among them and have for many years. They have no interest in assimilation, learning our language, learning American history or culture. They are here to take everything they can from the stupid American government and people. Their objective is to conquer, la reconquista. Period. They do not kiss the ground of this great country when coming here like legal immigrants of the past, they spit on it. Maybe people in Austin, Minnesota will 'get it' when no one on their block speaks English anymore, which is what has happened to me. There are many great websites to educate yourselves and become active. Don't remain silent or you will lose your neighborhood, city, county, state and country. www.numbersusa.com, www.immigrationshumancost.org,
www.immigrationbuzz.com, www.dontspeakforme.org, www.alipac.us.
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ Mallory
If things are really based on "If you worked for it, earned it, then you get to keep it," then why is most of the wealth paid onto 3% of the nation's people? You cannot tell me that the top three percent do 97% of the work. The bottom line is that the top 3% (CEOs, CFOs and other executives) use the labor that works for their particular company to make them rich.
On the topic of gas prices, why is it that other goods are indeed sold on a free market/ capitalist system where you can take off a few cents here and there or offer a sale you can. But oil, natural gas and gas cannot compete with each other. When you drive through a town the gas is pretty much the same price. (it does vary very little from town to town). This seems to me to be a form of a monopoly for the whole industry.
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you dont understand that CEO's and executives work for their money start your own business and you'll understand. Owning a business is damn hard work and when it finally pays big trust me you'll deserve it.
Dont sit there and say business owners and execs. dont earn their pay. There is a small percentage that dont and they get canned or the business fails, those are the only 2 choices for a crappy exec.
97% of the people I interview are lazy or stupid, so your stats are about right. 3% should have the wealth and one day I hope to be part of that. I however will not stoop to hiring illegals (they apply all the time) but I will not.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 25, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK... I see Hunnit lives or has lived in Phoenix, just as I have and isn't it FUNNY that we tell exactly the same story of what life is like when illegal aliens move in? Mower County is just getting a TINY fraction of what Arizona has but as the border states tighten rules for employment and if the Maricopa Co. Sherrif keeps deporting the illegals you'll find them moving north and THEN you'll see what trouble looks like.
Leftys.... ? What? In a capitalist country not everyone receives equal pay. CEO's, Airline Pilots, Doctors, Lawyers, Software executives, etc., make more $$$ than say janitors. I don't know if your assumtion that 3% of the population makes 97% of the money is correct or not, but ASSUMING you got those numbers from somewhere reliable I can only say that yes... Someone thought they deserved it, so therefore, they earned it. Only in Communist countries do Doctors and Lawyers and Ballerinas live under the same circumstances as the average laborer.
RE: your question about the price of gas and oil and insinuating that there is a monopoly and not free market at work, how about the concept that the gas stations have a price they have to pay so therefore they have to figure in their rent, employees, wages, benefits, profit margin and they don't have much room to dicker. The oil companies are making about 4-5% profit per gallon, while the government is making 15%. For what? Did the government do the exploration, or refining, or pay the shipping to the distributor? Take a good look at WHICH Presidential candidate wants BIGGER government, at a BIGGER price and MORE taxes. (Hint: not John McCain).
Since BIG OIL is the enemy of the day, what about guys like Bill Gates and Microsoft. What competiton does he have? Didn't he get incredibly rich doing almost nothing? One little invention and you have a multi-billionaire. Shouldn't we all get a piece of Bill Gates money too?? WHY just big oil???
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Date: August 25, 2008
MARICOPA COUNTY NOW HAS NATION’S HIGHEST
NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION HOLDS ON
INCARCERATED ILLEGAL ALIENS
(Phoenix, AZ) While the Sheriff’s illegal immigration and human smuggling
operations conducted on the streets and roadways here have netted nearly
2300 arrests, another very successful effort to locate illegal aliens has
been quietly happening inside Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s
jails.
Despite the growing criticism of the Sheriff’s illegal immigration fight
by some valley politicians and activists, Sheriff Arpaio says 60 detention
officers trained by ICE officials have conducted over 106,000 interviews
and investigations of inmates booked into jail since April of 2007.
In those 18 months, 16,000 inmates were determined to be illegal aliens.
Either they have already been deported or will be deported after being
tried and/or serving their sentences for crimes committed in the valley.
The work being done be Arpaio’s detention staff is a likely contributor to
the recent reduction in crime in the valley.
That number of 16,000 represents a full one third (1/3) of all inmates in
the United States who have had holds placed on them after being
identified by jail or prison officials as illegal aliens.
“No other jail system in the United States has done a better job of
identifying incarcerated illegal aliens. This effort ultimately makes these
particular inmates subject to deportation rather than returning them to the
streets,” says Sheriff Joe Arpaio. “Not even jails larger than ours and
populated with far more illegal aliens like Los Angeles for example, has
100 West Washington, Suite 1900, Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Phone: (602) 876-1801 Fax: (602) 258-2081
Media Contact: SheriffsMediaRequests@MCSO.Maricopa.Gov
2
done such exemplary work in this area.”
A snapshot of the Maricopa County jail system today shows that of the
current 10,000 inmates incarcerated, 20% are illegal aliens.
Of the approximate 2000 illegal alien inmates, 70% were arrested on
felony crimes.
Here is a breakdown of the types of crimes these illegal aliens stand
accused of today:
Forgery 12%
Kidnapping 10%
Aggravated Assault 7%
DUI 7%
Drug Charges 27%
Robbery 3%
Murder 3%
Theft 4%
http://www.mcso.org/include/pr_pdf/s%20J...
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Under the State law
Arrests by Sheriff’s deputies of persons transporting or being transported illegally into Arizona: 1,081
Under the Federal law
Arrests by Sheriff’s deputies who, in the course of their duties, determine the arrestee is in Arizona illegally: 1,320
ICE “Holds”
Each inmate booked is interviewed for immigration status. Sheriff’s detention officers have turned over 15,900 illegal immigrants to Immigration authorities for deportation.
Posted by stars_and_pipes (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
some have stated that I am a "communist"........i am not. But, I do believe that the wealth in this nation needs to be more evenly distributed. We live in an international country ran by international corporations. Our corporations aren't thinking about how to preserve the "american" way. They are thinking about how to make more money for the shareholders. If they need to move an office to Mexico, or build a plant in China in order to meet the quarterly earnings, that is what they will do. The days where manufacturing jobs earn the big bucks are over. The key is to get a strong education so that you can get a good job. New immigrants are not going to get the new jobs if they can't speak english very well. My point is that everyone is this forum needs to stop living in the past. We aren't the United States of America in the eyes of the corporations. We are a place where the Detriot office made this much, and the Phoenix office made this much, and the Beijing office made this much. Education is the key, and a more progressive tax system where more money is distributed to the middle class instead of the super rich. We also need to increase funding for k-12 education and college education so that we have an educated work force that can compete in an international field. Being bi-lingual will also help in this area.............so everyone, my point is that we need to stop thinking in terms of us vs. them......it is just an us at this point. The world is here (us) and our corporations are there(international) and there isn't a whole lot we can do to change it. If all the new immigrants went home tomorrow, we would still be competing with workers in india, mexico, china etc..............this issue is mute. Educate yourselves and hope for the best.
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope in one hand and crap in the other and see what one fills up first. You cant HOPE away our problems you have to fight for it.
You are AGAINST the corporations making huge profits but your are ADVOCATING the use of illegal workers to accomplish this. You are totally contradictory.
I have learned not to just accept what people cram down my throat, I taste for myself.
Posted by stars_and_pipes (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not advocating the use of illegal workers, I'm saying it is inevitable under the current international corporate system. If new cheaper labor doesn't move to the U.S. for corporations, the corporations will move to cheap labor. That is the way of the world today. The only chance we have is to get a good education so that we have skills that require higher pay.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
stars and pipes... you really are being very contradictory. First, you advocate embracing illegals, then you critisize McCain because he owns several homes (like that's a bad thing) now it's the evil corporations.
You are correct that the Mexicans aren't going to leave. That's part of the fallacy with the "amnesty" bills the senate tried to pass last year. It worked only if people would go back to their country of origin. ICE just offered a "return ticket" to illegals in California and Arizona if they turned themselves in. Guess how successful that program was? 8 people turned themselves in.
We need to pass laws that keep illegals out of the workforce, that stop them from taking advantage of our health care system and stop their children from taking our childrens places in the universities at taxpayer expense. Educate youself, you say. Great idea. Right now we are also educating the illegal children who came to this country with their parents. We are taxed to death to pay for their educations and then are suppose to pay for our children on top of it? Once the illegals have a good education what do you think they're going to do with it? (a)Go back to Mexico and fix the problems there, or (b)take the better paying hi-tech jobs from Americans too? The answer is B.
Americans may be very intelligent but we also have a segment of the population who will never be anything but ditch diggers. They are industrious but have a low IQ. What should they do for a living? When do we look our for American's first?
I'm just not as resigned to this as you are. I expect more from our representatives. Send these people home and make them apply to return LEGALLY on a temp work visa. That way, the only job they'll be getting is TRULY one an American doesn't need or want. By doing that you will eliminate the "cheap labor" element that you so resent. There are ways to keep American jobs here starting with the duty tax and import fees on American products made abroad.
What is wrong with corporations making "more money" for shareholders? If you have a retirement pension, a 401k or and IRA YOU might be that share holder. Americans own the corporations they work for. If they've taken the risk, they have a right to the profit.
The very words "redistribute wealth" signal communism. Are you aware that the top 1% of taxpayers pay 26% of the taxes? The top 3 % pay 40% of the taxes and that 7% of the top American taxpayers pay a total of 51% of taxes? That means that the other 93%, which you and I are part of, pay 49%. Our tax system does need an overhaul. A flat tax, a fair tax... but not increasing taxes on corporations who will then either pass the increase on to consumers or respond by cutting jobs. Not by increasing capital gains tax so that when elderly people sell their homes they lose a good part of their equity. Not by the methods Obama proposes.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those who think we are "unkind" to Mexicans and that we don't treat them with enough respect, take a look at how Mexicans treat Hondurans and other central Americans who cross THEIR southern border illegally.
.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocp9NIOJdhM
Think they're giving them healthcare and putting their kids through college??? NOT.
Here's another article on the damage that the illegals are wreaking on the environment as they cross the desert. Don't miss the fact that the Border Guards are apprehending about 1,500 illegals a day. The Border Patrol estimates that they are catching about 1 in 4 crossers. That means 4,500 a day are getting through.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,3543...
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Marvelousmisadventures..here we are again. Thanks to all of our past conversations I know where you work or who and what you are promoting. I know what part of the company you work for or promote. I have a question for you...have you ever had your job replaced by a person who is illegal? Have you ever had your identity stolen? Have you ever had a crime committed against you by an illegal alien? Have you ever lived on the blocks east of the corporate office? If you can answer yes to any of these questions..then you have the right to make the statements you are making. Maybe you could have a little bit of compassion for your fellow citizens. If not, go back to your desk job and keep figuring out how to sneak more illegals across the border!
I'm guessing you never grew up in Austin, then you don't have the right to judge the rest of us as being noncompassionate. I could turn the tables and say the same about you due to the way your corporation has manipulated this town and its citizens!
Being rich is not a crime..being rich and commiting crimes now that is another story.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd like to add to my previous comment. I know several rich people, none of whom have promoted the illegal colonization of this country. They are good and decent Americans. My comments on the rich have been directed at the few who think and have been above the law, thus creating the situation we are now in. I am not saying people should not be able to immigrate here, I am saying if you are going to immigrate here go through the proper channels..I really don't believe that is too much to ask. Or is it?
Do you have an answer for that question Marvelousmisadventures...or can you twist that one to suit your needs too?
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm peaved and have to add one more thing...I am a compasionate person, I however do not have compassion for adults rich, poor or inbetween who intentionally break the laws of this land.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAY TO GO 2MADMAMAS!!!
Having lived in Arizona and California and experienced first hand how serious illegal immigration can be I've also had a lot of experience with people like marvelous. She/He won't answer your questions.
MM, do NOT throw the words of our founders in our faces and insinuate that people who want to protect the sovereignty of this nation are somehow narrow minded. I'd like to ask her why Mexico has armed military on THEIR southern border. Why their corrupt police are allowed to rape, rob, beat and murder illegals who cross into their country? I'll ask her the same questions I asked stars and pipes. Do you think Mexico educates the children of their illegals and allows their illegals to take advantage of free medical care and take the jobs of their citizens? If you don't know the answer, I'll help you out. NO.
Since MM is so liberally minded, we should acquaint her with the Dutch and the Danes. Long known for their tolerance, their open borders and their freedoms they have ruined their countries. In 2002 the NY Post ran a story that said that 'Muslim immigrants constitute 5 percent of the population but consume upwards of 40 percent of the welfare spending.' Muslims are only 4 percent of Denmark's 5.4 million people but make up a majority of the country's convicted rapists, an especially combustible issue given that practically all the female victims are non-Muslim. By 2006 a Danish study showed that illegal immigration had the ability to bankrupt the government because of the huge drain on their welfare programs. They were FINALLY forced to rewrite Immigration policy.
Belgium has been overtaken by Muslims. They've already infiltrated the government, and Belgian citizens are under attack. France and Spain aren't far behind.
Different species, but same problem. Illegal immigration has caused the decline of civilization and culture in countries that have not protected their borders.
Posted by Ariel (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people who promote illegal immigration do a great disservice to their community and to their neighbors. I understand how this happens in a big city like San Diego where people are very transient and no one really knows their neighbor, but I do not understand how people can do this in small town America.
There is something very disturbing and very wrong with people who will gladly see their neighbors out of work and worse than do nothing, actually promote the demise of their community. It is insane to think it's alright for illegals to steal identies and to justify it by saying that people are just searching for a better life for themselves. Why don't the companies in your community who think they need additional labor get work permits and allow people to come in legally?
Small town America will sink into decay with the kind of thinking that I've read here. Lack of jobs will force long time residents who have strong community ties and who care about the community, out. The illegal population will not care about the community and they won't take care of property. Soon, no one will want to come into your town.
I see all the accusations of "racism" and I've even seen comparisons to Hitler and the Nazi's. I was born in Germany after WWII but still saw the damage that was done to my country. Hitler was a monster. This situation is nothing like Hitler and the Nazi's and any attempt to make a comparison is sublimely ridiculous. Just low class name calling. The situation does compare to the problem Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain and England are facing right now with illegal immigrants from Islamic countries. Thank heavens George Bush has been a strong leader. I think that if Barak Obama is elected, the United States is doomed to follow in the steps of Europe and the evil doers in this world will take away your rights without ever flying another plane into a building or strapping on another bomb.
Wake up.
Posted by Ariel (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(continued) Watch out for your friend, your neighbor, your family and send the enemy away.
Mallory was correct. Politcal correctness extends a fear of saying what you really believe in and that is intellectual terrorism. The meek are afraid to speak up for fear of what? name calling? If the United States and stopped Hitler in his tracks after he marched into Poland, if they had demanded he leave or else... World War II would probably not have happened. If you are a coward and do not stand in the face of agression then you become the people of Germany who blindly followed because they dared not disagree. You must not be cowed. That is how a few unholy can overtake an entire nation. You must speak what is right and not be drowned out by a few.
The United States is the greatest nation on this planet. They do more good than all of the other nations put together. They are the first to help at any disaster and yet the liberal citizens want to defame it's greatness. I am shamed by the Obama's who say they are not proud of their country. I am shamed by those who compare the U.S. in Iraq with Russia in Georgia. That is criminal. One is about setting people free and stabelizing a volatile area, rebuilding schools, hospitals and infrastructure... the other is about Imperialism.
America has never taken one foot of soil for it's own after all of the wars it has fought to protect the rights of others. Those of you who think that you should lay down and let your country be stolen out from underneath your feet should be ashamed of yourselves. You should go live in another country and you would feel so blessed to return to America.
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for the compliment Mallory. Sorry I spelled your call name wrong earlier. Aeriel, you are right, we are fighting for our country...how on earth when it seems elected and public officials cower to the one corporation in town that has created this situation do we battle this? So sad that the ones who hold the power don't use it to continue to keep America and Americans strong. It is truly disconcerting.
Posted by willingworker (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! I wish I had talked with you guys at the town hall meeting. I believe the same thing. This is about what kind of country we leave for our children's children. Keep up the fight, Austin.
Posted by taco (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now that we know we are not in the minority with our thinking. We should all take to writing our officials, emails, letters, calls. Commit to one a week in any form until they get it, that we are not gonna take it.
The Governor, Senators, Candidates for office, Sheriff, Police Chief, Council Member, The President.
I write at least a couple times a month to these people, make calls, and when in person tell them this is at the top of the list of issues. If enough of us speak, someone will have to listen.
Demand that EVERY illegal booked into custody is publish as such in the paper and on the news, to make others aware of the problem that illegals bring.
Posted by Ariel (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello,
I'm actually in San Diego. A close friend asked me to post here in the hopes that my experiences might inspire some. Taco, your ideas are the right way to go. You see, most people do feel as you do but it's easier to just do nothing. Those who want change are the instigators. Remember your mother saying that the squeaky wheel gets the most grease? It's still that way.
If you have a corporation in your city that you know is hiring illegals, report them to ICE. There is a phone number in your phone book. If enough people call, they will pay attention.
American's writing and calling (you can email which is very convenient) their congressmen and senators last year is the only thing that stopped the amnesty bill from passing. They got very cold feet when they heard from that many constituents. Be a pain in the butt. My congress people know me and they actually email me about pending legislation.
Visit Newt Gingrich's web site and vote for DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW, SPEND LESS. That's a good step toward getting us on track with the economy.
Get the Democrats out of congress and don't let them in the White House. Vote.
I remember seeing your city on the national news nightly 20 years ago, when there was a strike and even Willie Nelson took up the cause. You already know how to make an impact. You are more powerful than you know.
Good luck!
Posted by 2madmamas (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well if anyone is still checking this sight, I just wanted to let you know this forum's comments have been forwarded to Governor Pawlenty. I have asked him why he hasn't followed through on his campaign promise of correcting the illegal alien situation. We'll see what kind of response comes back...I'll keep you posted should I be privileged enough to get anything back. It will be interesting to see if he does respond, what he'll have to say. Hopefully, it won't be the same old song and dance that has been dished out by our local officials.
Posted by Mallory (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
2ma