Friday, May 19, 2006

Sweet Land Of Liberty

Over the last week or so we have seen some pretty big protests by immigrants in several major cities.

It really seems a little bit odd to me.

People are in the streets, protesting, simply because for all intents and purposes America wants to enforce the law. Am I missing something?

Think about it. Illegal immigrants protesting legislation that would declare them illegal. It's like the pot calling the kettle black. Do they honestly not understand that by being in the United States Of America illegally they are breaking the law? Do they expect to just be allowed to stay here simply because they made it here and have stayed here for a considerable amount of time? That's like not prosecuting someone who has been eluding the authorities for a crime they have committed simply because of their ingenuity for evading the law. As if we might as well let them off the hook for old time sake. Sorry Tessio, can't do it.

Please do not get the impression that I am against immigrants as that would be a bit hypocritical given that I was one myself. The difference is; and this is important; that me and my family came over legally. And, guess what, we learned the language and became US citizens. They did not have signs in Spanish back in the good old days so we could get around easier, we HAD to learn English.

Now Americans are not without fault in this, we have enabled this predicament to happen. We want things cheap. Perhaps, if we were willing to pay more, illegal immigration would not be such an issue. There would be plenty of border guards, immigration and naturalization processing centers and sufficient English language facilities. But, someone has to pick the produce and clean the toilets. Right? We as a country don't seem to want to pay a true living wage for people to do those jobs. It's just much cheaper to bust up a few illegals every now and then, issue great contracts for miles of walls and fencing between countries and then look the other way when scores of willing workers come in to do the menial jobs for menial wages and no benefits. After all illegal immigrant generally come here to work, make a better life for themselves and their family and not cause any problems. Why bother? We also want commerce with the Latino community, no matter if they speak the language or not. Most American businesses proudly display that "Se Habla EspaƱol". It's known that tapping into the Latino market could translate to increased sales. We seem to go out of our way to make it easier for immigrants to not need to learn the native language. Most other countries don't do that. Is America rationalizing our guilt with misplaced compassion?

Are amnesty for illegal aliens or mass deportation the only answers?

Of course I want immigrants to continue to come to America, which truly is the land of opportunity. Also because through diversity; among other things; this country has become what it is over the last three hundred years.

God Bless America.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you!
Not much of a debate on this one...guess this topic is dead! ;)

22/5/06 14:22  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lets give those that are seeking a better life in America a true opportunity by providing pay equivalent with the work provided.

I agree that immigrants should strive to obey and respect our laws and learn the language though. :)

25/5/06 13:24  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mexico to ban all non-natives from jobs, two Americans still there since Spring Break may protest...film at eleven.

26/5/06 14:58  

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