Comments on: Immigrant Rights march Chicago

By: Delta

Delta — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 21:31:27 +0000

MY OPINION APPLIES STRICTLY TO MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS. ALTHOUGH THIS ISSUE APPLIES TO MANY NATIONALITIES.
1. Who are Americans? Seqouia? You probably are, but where are your ancestors from and how did you come to be an American? You are arrogant as well as a hypocrite. I am sure you drive 5 miles under the speed limit. I am sure you have never broken the law. I want to clarify that I am an American, Mexican/American, and we are not all arrogant. I hope that people like sequoia don’t put a stamp on all of the Americans that are not supporting the documentation of illegal immigrants. You may not agree, but you don’t have to be as disrespectful as sequoia.
2. I am proud to live in the Chicago area, where we have sections of our city dedicated to our Chinese, Greek, Polish, German, Irish, Mexican… immigrants. We march on St. Patrick’s Day because we are proud to be a part of the Irish heritage. We don’t question our Irish immigrant’s patriotism, and we respect their homeland patriotism as well. Why, as people march to support our ancestors, does the USA ask them to leave their homeland flags at home? I drive home everyday and come across at least 5 flag poles where 2 flags fly.
3. Yes, identity theft is a crime, but it still surprises me that we have completely blocked out the fact that SSNs are actually being sold by the owners of those SSNs. Seqouia, you hold yourself on a pedestal because you are the legal American citizen, but somewhere along the line, you have also broken the law. Maybe 10 over the limit. What country could I send you back to?
4. I am proud to be an American, but have to be honest when I say that I am also embarrassed that the power house of the world (us), still allows for 1 SSN to work 10 different jobs at a time and for 5 different people to claim those taxes in 1 state. Our system lacks security and that should be a priority for our country.
5. Whether or not our undocumentated workers are getting their tax benefits? I would have to say more then enough. That is one part of the discussion where I completely disagree with how the people are handling their appearance here. Paying taxes. Most pay a small portion. They claim 5 or more dependents(resulting in minimal tax payment pay period to pay period)and then don’t file. USA loses there. Welfare and Public Aid. Women for the past five years have dedicated themselves to breeding. They run to WIC and receive benefits. WHY? Because they claim themselves as single mothers. USA stopped giving SSNs to mother’s of those babies born here and then stopped giving SSNs to babies born here. You are no longer a citizen if you are born here. You have to be born of a legal resident as well. But then they still provide health benefits. Benefits that those of us who pay taxes pay for. Again our system lacks security. The borders is one issue. Putting fences up on the Mexico border and improving our national security are issues that run hand in hand, but should maintain their distance as well. Our national security obviously needs more attention than deporting hard working invididuals that have not committed any crimes other than coming to provide for their families.
5. attempts to legalize, issue work permits, and even driver’s licenses are examples of false propaganda. immigration has been on the pallet for several years now. Elections have come and gone. California Governor Arnold, made many promises that got him elected and now he is anti-support for providing documentation.
6. I dont’ know if reality has anything to do with it, but it’s time sequoia’s took a look around. Billions of dollars is spent on spanish translation; advertising, OSHA safety, manufacturing, services, Medical…every aspect of life is now in a minimum of 2 languages, spanish and english. everything you buy comes with a minimum of 2 sets of instructions. This provided because of the need. Immigrants made and make this country, illegal or legal. It just doesn’t make sense to make that illegal.
6. If the US doesn’t ask itself why immigration has become such an uncontrollable problem, it could be the biggest mistake we make. Mexicans are able to travel the world with a passport, but not USA. why? Mexicans have been expanding their migration to Spain and are doing well. As mentioned in other replies, I imagine the European countries would hope for a portion of the work force that has come to the US to make our powerhouse of a country, stronger. Again, what is the point of the VISA. Why can’t they come with their passports, apply for a SSN and get a driver’s license? The harder we make it for them to come and provide for their families, the harder they will try. It isn’t a matter of luxury, it’s a matter of life and death. Providing a life for your children that they can be proud of.
Imagine this Sequoia, your son/daughter/grandchild marries with an illegal immigrant. Your son is now a CRIMINAL. If anything, try to look at book sides of the situation, rather than being so narrow minded and arrogant. We can’t ask you to understand, because obviously you have different beliefs. We can’t ask you to agree either. But put down the gavel and count to 10. What do you think about the glass being half full or half empty. There’s always the other side. We need to know it exists.

By: I am Pablo » V for Vendetta

I am Pablo » V for Vendetta — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:56:23 +0000

[...] Katty and I went to see V for Vendetta last night at the IMAX with our friends Ben and Corie last night. Ben had e-mailed me in November about going to see it, but the movie was delayed – the filmmakers deny that the delay had anything to do with the actual London bombings. I didn’t really know what to expect, besides the fact that it was a Wachowski brothers film – I half expected some new Matrix like effects, nothing really new there. Though my expectations weren’t met as far as new effects, the movie was fantastic! Natalie was incredible as Evey! I really enjoyed it… way more than I thought I would! That being said, I think that my recent exposure to marches and protests made the “power to the people” message even more relevant. Will definitely see it again! [...]

By: Norman

Norman — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:36:03 +0000

I really liked Seqouia’s reply. I’m going to copy it and forward it to George Bush and my Congressmen!

By: I am Pablo » Coverage of the march?

I am Pablo » Coverage of the march? — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 15:19:14 +0000

[...] I somehow missed this posting on the 13th. I wish I had seen it as now it has dropped into obscurity. It does bring up a good question. Was the coverage adequate for the march? Is this part of some right-wing conspiracy as the poster alludes? I was surprised that Mike hadn’t heard about it in Detroit – but now that I read the comments to the post, I guess nobody really heard about it except Chicago. Is there a reason that main-stream national media didn’t pick up the story – or perhaps they just wrote a blurb about it? I would think that a 100,000 person march would make news everywhere. Perhaps protesting like this isn’t as effective as people would hope? [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 03:31:00 +0000

A few things from my perspective…
1. It’s absolutely awesome to see a peaceful demonstration in this country. I love it. I don’t care what it’s about.
2. My persecuted and poor immigrant ancestors passed through Ellis Island, not a loose border. This is not the same thing, though I don’t think it is a felony either.
3. How many Cubans are sent back to Father Fidel every year? They must love the notion that 20 million illegals live here because there is no natural aqua barrier blocking their entry. Europe would probably love it if we somehow diverted the stream to their borders. Of course, they’re in a major population decline.
4. What if I decided to just stay in Thailand after this summer ended? Could I demand equal treatment with Thai citizens? Faster immigration policies? Higher wages? Health care?
5. Our federal government’s priorities are to “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” Nothing in there about helping people who come here illegally. Reasonable measures should be taken to insure the safety of the citizens of this country before we figure out how to truly help immigrants seeking a better life as our ancestors did.
6. 70% of illegal aliens pay taxes? I’m curious about that number, but the notion that they never see a dime of it boggles the mind a bit. What do you see from your taxes? Roads, infrastructure, defense of the USA and our allies, social programs, education, border control (wink wink)… do illegal aliens not see these benefits?
7. Our European ancestors had pretty nasty hatred toward each other. We had various ghettos in cities early on, but eventually there was assimilation of culture and language to create what has become America. That’s my biggest concern right now–that illegals, partly because of that categorization and many other mitigating factors, are not assimilating. Many legal immigrants aren’t either. It’s the whole melting pot thing. You gotta melt a little here.
8. Gov’t, the private sector, churches and the public need to work together on this. Can’t be partisan crap. Can’t use Hispanics as pawns.
9. I’m all for an increase in immigration and getting people here already legally naturalized. But we gotta protect our borders as much as our shipping ports. We also have to do it rationally and without offending good people (a la Dubai Ports World).
10. Early on in the US, Irish hated English, Germans hated everyone, no one liked Slavs, Blacks were property, and ethnic gangs ran rampant in major cities. The South hated the North and vice versa. Chinese were used as cheap labor to build railroads in the West. Many peoples’ names were truncated because someone couldn’t understand or spell. Ethnic groups were funneled into their burroughs and ghettos and weren’t welcomed at large by the American populace–especially people who’d been here since the 1700′s. It got better, but it takes time. This will too. Can’t rush into it which is sort of what has happened by the enormous amount of illegal immigration that has swamped the Southwest.