Thoughts on a tough topic.
I wrote a huge post, and it's gone - good lord.
well, now that i have a moment to myself - at 12:30 am, I can finally talk about something that has been on my mind intelligently - immigration reform in the US. Some may think my thoughts on this suck, but I can only say that this is how I feel and if you don't like it, close the blog.
I am upset at this entire situation. I think that 1/3 of me thinks it is a good idea to look at our immigration laws, but 2/3 of me is saying this entire thing is bad.
I know this country was founded on immigrants. My family just three generations before me were immigrants. I would not be here if they didn't come. But I have to say, they came from different countries and learned the language. They got jobs - sometimes multiple jobs - and paid taxes. Not one of my family members who immigrated from over seas once took government assistance and/or expected something for nothing.
I think what makes me sad is that I am middle class. I have lived here my entire life and pay taxes - a lot of them if you ask me. I pay insurance, both medical and car. My parents were hit by an illegal mexican whom was drunk, ran a red light and driving his sister's car. Because there were no witnesses, the sisters insurance didn't pay for my parents car to be fixed. I thank god that my parents are still alive b/c this guy was going mock 10 apparnetly. Dad, being the former police officer, went right after him while sister was on phone with 911 giving descriptions and license plates and getting the police to find them. As a result of an illegal doing this, my parents insurance went up. Why? Because the illegal person didn't have insurance, was driving his sisters car, breaking all laws and rules and now my parents have to pay for his mistakes.
The word expectation comes to mind. I am not sure that I agree with this. When I go to a foreign country, I do not expect them to conform their rules/laws for me. I do not expect them to start speaking my language or change their documents into something that I can understand, or pay for my healthcare, or pay for my insurance. If i were to make the conscious decision to move to another country where I didn't know the language - ie: mexico or even say, japan, I wouldn't expect everyone to speak to me in english. I would purchase a translation dictionary, and take my happy ass somewhere to find language classes and learn the language. I just don't get the level of expectations for the american citizen to go out of their way for someone who is coming here ILLEGALLY. Meaning, no documentation, no proper paperwork, no paying taxes, nothing. I don't get it. If they can do it, then why can't I? I want to not pay taxes. I want to keep more of my money and get paid under the table. I want to have my healthcare paid for. I think that reasonable expectations are if they get arrested that they be given a fair trial - or that they are notified of their rights properly - not that we shell out tons of dollars to support them and their family.
I don't understand why I am expected to learn spanish. That may piss people off, but when all government documents were originally written in English, and 99% of business is conducted in English, why do I have to learn spanish? Not saying that I don't think I should, but why should I be forced to? Do you think that if I went to France, that the French would bend over backwards to make sure that I understood everything?
America isn't the bad guy here. Every country would do the same regarding illegal immigrants expecting privilages that most natives don't or can't participate in because they live here and pay taxes to the government.
Now, the bleeding heart catholic in me feels bad for these people. I know that the conditions in some places where they are coming from are far worse than anything I have ever seen or imagined. I am glad that they have the ability to come here and seek refuge. But why can't they do it legally? Why can't they take the time to at least learn how to say hello and a few other words in English? Or to try to understand our laws? It saddens me to think that I am so angered by this topic, but at the same time, if I were to go to Mexico and take advantage of their government and their money, how long do you think I would be alive there?
well, now that i have a moment to myself - at 12:30 am, I can finally talk about something that has been on my mind intelligently - immigration reform in the US. Some may think my thoughts on this suck, but I can only say that this is how I feel and if you don't like it, close the blog.
I am upset at this entire situation. I think that 1/3 of me thinks it is a good idea to look at our immigration laws, but 2/3 of me is saying this entire thing is bad.
I know this country was founded on immigrants. My family just three generations before me were immigrants. I would not be here if they didn't come. But I have to say, they came from different countries and learned the language. They got jobs - sometimes multiple jobs - and paid taxes. Not one of my family members who immigrated from over seas once took government assistance and/or expected something for nothing.
I think what makes me sad is that I am middle class. I have lived here my entire life and pay taxes - a lot of them if you ask me. I pay insurance, both medical and car. My parents were hit by an illegal mexican whom was drunk, ran a red light and driving his sister's car. Because there were no witnesses, the sisters insurance didn't pay for my parents car to be fixed. I thank god that my parents are still alive b/c this guy was going mock 10 apparnetly. Dad, being the former police officer, went right after him while sister was on phone with 911 giving descriptions and license plates and getting the police to find them. As a result of an illegal doing this, my parents insurance went up. Why? Because the illegal person didn't have insurance, was driving his sisters car, breaking all laws and rules and now my parents have to pay for his mistakes.
The word expectation comes to mind. I am not sure that I agree with this. When I go to a foreign country, I do not expect them to conform their rules/laws for me. I do not expect them to start speaking my language or change their documents into something that I can understand, or pay for my healthcare, or pay for my insurance. If i were to make the conscious decision to move to another country where I didn't know the language - ie: mexico or even say, japan, I wouldn't expect everyone to speak to me in english. I would purchase a translation dictionary, and take my happy ass somewhere to find language classes and learn the language. I just don't get the level of expectations for the american citizen to go out of their way for someone who is coming here ILLEGALLY. Meaning, no documentation, no proper paperwork, no paying taxes, nothing. I don't get it. If they can do it, then why can't I? I want to not pay taxes. I want to keep more of my money and get paid under the table. I want to have my healthcare paid for. I think that reasonable expectations are if they get arrested that they be given a fair trial - or that they are notified of their rights properly - not that we shell out tons of dollars to support them and their family.
I don't understand why I am expected to learn spanish. That may piss people off, but when all government documents were originally written in English, and 99% of business is conducted in English, why do I have to learn spanish? Not saying that I don't think I should, but why should I be forced to? Do you think that if I went to France, that the French would bend over backwards to make sure that I understood everything?
America isn't the bad guy here. Every country would do the same regarding illegal immigrants expecting privilages that most natives don't or can't participate in because they live here and pay taxes to the government.
Now, the bleeding heart catholic in me feels bad for these people. I know that the conditions in some places where they are coming from are far worse than anything I have ever seen or imagined. I am glad that they have the ability to come here and seek refuge. But why can't they do it legally? Why can't they take the time to at least learn how to say hello and a few other words in English? Or to try to understand our laws? It saddens me to think that I am so angered by this topic, but at the same time, if I were to go to Mexico and take advantage of their government and their money, how long do you think I would be alive there?
posted by curly @ 1:31 AM
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