Speak Out!
The Cost of Illegal Immigration
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 22:52 | Immigration
The Washington Post reports that attempts to keep out illegal immigrants are threatening the financial health of some communities:
As cities across the United States spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend against lawsuits and other challenges to their ordinances enacted to keep out illegal immigrants, some groups are warning that their communities are risking financial disaster. Dozens of cities and counties have proposed or passed laws that prohibit landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants, penalize businesses that employ undocumented workers or train police to enforce federal immigration laws.Is the effort to stem the tide of illegal immigration worth the financial cost?
The Covenant with Black America
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immigration
I often find myself in conversations with other members of the Black community about when some, or even one of our leaders is going to step up to the mic and admit that immigration has the become just another hurdle for us to overcome. America is taking what OUR FOREFATHERS fought and dies for and giving them to illegal immigrants and then allowing them to portest when someone says it's wrong. Black want to think that Mexicans are on their side, however, statics show that there could be an all out race war brewing on the horizen that will have Mexicans attacks Blacks and White America siding with whomever wins. It has been going on in the penal system for several years now. When are we going to stand up and say this has to stop. This is OUR COUNTRY first, and we WILL get ours before Mexicans or another migrant's of ANY nationality. WE'VE EARNED ITJ
"ARIZONA'S IMMIGRATION REFORM"
It's a sad day when people get arrested for being whatever nationality they are, however, that is not the case in Arizona!
America has been kind, patient, and sympathetic to Mexican nationals to a fault, and by that I mean it is no secret that illegal Mexican Immigrants' plan to flood the Country one American-born child at a time, systematically planting future voters to fight for the rights of people from another Country, Mexico. The problem is that they are commencing their Civil War in the wrong Country, America.
The silent majority (against legalizing illegal Immigrants) have a right to be angry when they are footing the bill for everything from the hospital (higer insurance premiums) an illegal's child is born, to the school that child will attend, causing a culture clash from overcrowding, and everything in between, higher taxes to keep Safety Net systems meant for American Citizens afloat. Arizona is within its rights as a state to inforce the laws to protect American tax payers and interests, we are the United States and what's good for one, should stand for all - Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, etc...
I would challenge all 12 million Mexican Nationals (illegal Immigrants) here illegally, to band together like they're doing in America, and take Mexico back from the corrupt government that is compelling them to flee. The Country they love and are so proud of is theirs to claim and fight for...not America!
Killing Two Birds With One Stone
Employers hire illegal workers because they can skirt the labor laws without fear that their employees will complain to the authorities. These abuses include everything from illegally low wages, no paid overtime and no breaks with long hours to unsafe working conditions. Illegal immigrants are basically slaves by another name. Perhaps this could address another of Tavis's pet peeves: reparations for slavery. Suggestion: Let's allow every Black person to pay a Mexican just enough to survive, no more than an antebellum slave owner would've spent to provide for a slave. All of the antebellum slaves were freed basically within a human lifetime after the US gained its independence, (four score and seven years ago...). so perhaps after a generation, the children of the Mexican laborers, US citizens, would no longer be obligated to work illegally and the accumulated wealth their parents produced would be kept by their former Black employers.
Well. We enabled the illegal
Well. We enabled the illegal aliens as a nation to flock here. Speaking of the Mexicans specifically, they first started migrating here to work in agriculture in the 1840's working for the farmers of this country doing the jobs that whites did not want to do or thought on the whole too beneath them to do as well as cleaning private households, lawns and other so-called menial work. I'm going to give it to you plain. They were accepted because you didn't have to pay them much of anything, nothing, no-thing and get a full day's hard, back-breaking work out of them similar to my ancestors, “the slaves”.
At least they were paid something and to my knowledge had their freedoms. So America dug its own problem, "white America that is" and as usual dragged us along with them. But the point I want to make is, going forward to today, the Mexicans feel they have entitlement to be mainly..1. the Southern United States once belonged to Mexico before "Manifest Destiny" although we all agree that it was yet still Native American land but that set aside...2. I believe Mexicans believe that they have toiled the farmlands for white farmers for many centuries being paid squabble, literally used and unappreciated to harvest crops for this country and if it weren't for them, it would not have gotten done and they may have a point…so I believe they feel they're entitled to live here with all of the benefits of legal Americans. And with companies cheating to hire them (illegal aliens), which I consider not only illegal but a betrayal to fellow Americans, (such as it is), is it really any wonder why so many of them live here and have been allowed to become so much of the fabric of this nation for generations all for the sake of the greed in white men who were and maybe still are "in search of" free labor that they do not have to get their nails dirty. I do want to make it clear though that not ALL white (Caucasian) people are like this or have been this, BUT, they sometimes are like a needle in the haystack....few & far between.
We must be careful not to
We must be careful not to confuse illegal immigrants with legal Hispanic citizens, otherwise we are no better than the white people that discriminate against blacks when we start a company, get the promotion or move into the neighborhood. America is supposed to be the melting pot. I would suspect that most people don't have an issue with the Hispanics coming to America IF they are held to the same standards, expectations, and laws that we are.
They should pay taxes, be required to carry car insurance, etc, just like those of us that were born in this country. Yes they are a financial burden, when they don't pay into the system but are allowed to enjoy the services that our tax dollars pay for such as public schools and social programs.
Me personally, I don't know anyone who is unemployed because of them "taking their job" and don't agree with the notion that these are jobs that black people don't want. Furthermore, our economy was doing just fine before they came and "took all the black people's jobs" (if you subscribe to that ideology)
Let all that want to come into this country come, BUT make them do it legally and make them learn English. For those that are here, put them on the path to legal citizenship, with stiff penalties of course and make them follow the laws that have been put in place.
For once can we do something that is not strictly financially advantageous and enforce the law.
I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE MAN
I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE MAN WHO DOES NOT ENTER THE SHEEP PEN BY THE GATE, BUT CLIMBS IN BY SOME OTHER WAY, IS A THIEF AND A ROBBER.
Oh yes, one more thing
Oh yes, one more thing Illegal Aliens is a condescending term and Mexican Americans do not appreciate this.
We are human not aliens and just like we no longer tolerate the "N" word, I'm hoping some day we will stop tolerating the words Aliens and Illegals- We are human and hard working we sustain the American economy and we have the right to be free and your ancestors (white) were free and were given the privilege to be here in America- We are the deep embedded soul of this country as blacks are and we need to work together to create a law that benefits Mexico and US. Diplomacy is key- There is a way to co-exist- don't hate us.
It really sickens me to read
It really sickens me to read over and over again the racist comments from people not seeing the truth. The sad part is that most of the people that write these comments are not even aware they are racist. They just think they are better than immigrants; but the funny thing is we are all not from America.
1. Fact everyone in the United States is an immigrant
2. The only true citizens are the Native Americans
3. How come there is no wall in the border with Canada- oh yes because most Canadians are White
4. Fact there is more white people on welfare than minorities
5. Our US immigration situation currently is just like what the Americans did to the Jews Americans and Italians when they crossed an ocean to get here. It's just a cycle of ignorance. Someone said "the law is the law" ha! the law is flawed "think for yourself" be brave
6. I know more illegal white people from other countries than I do Mexican people and I am Mexican
7. Fact Americans don't know their history and minorities go along with what white people think
8. Fact Minorities are so divided that if the white people keep doing what they are doing to divide us we will end up killing ourselves
9. Most white people I know (good people) truly believe in their hearts they are better than me because they are white.
10. Minorities are too busy watching E and MTV to care about any of these issues.
11. Terrorists are not really the threat; it is our ignorance of other cultures that is the threat
Obviously, this is a topic
Obviously, this is a topic that affects Americans passionately. Personally, I can't get beyond the point of - ILLEGAL. For the life of me, I can't see why this needs complicated discussion when the fact stares us so blatantly in the face... ILLEGAL! Which means, they broke the law. What other point is there? If illegal aliens break the law and the consequence is.. amnesty, driver's licenses or God knows whatever else, why should anyone in America be penalized for anything else if they break the law?... I know it sounds ridiculous, but is it? Why should non-Americans be rewarded for breaking the law and Americans get punished? I like to keep things simple otherwise we get so bogged down with so much isyms and skisms...
WOW! Just playing catch-up
WOW! Just playing catch-up on this topic...
Much to digest. However, let me start by saying that I am an immigrant - (now a U.S. citizen) - but an immigrant nevertheless... I am proud to say though that my experience as an immigrant never included the milking of social services (as many seem to think is the typical mode of operation of immigrants). I am blessed to have received an education via the public school system. I did survive that system and managed to gain from it what I needed to become a productive, responsible, tax paying citizen. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had. Furthermore, I love this country and consider it my own. This opportunity was given to me. I did not ask for it. I was brought to this country by my mother - who herself illegally entered this country. However, I do believe she is not a unique woman in terms of her work ethic - and constant effort to work hard and give her children a better opportunity.
Now, I am a parent - and I too payed in excess of $500 for my daughter's child care. I now do have the privilege of taking care of my daughter's education and opt to give her a private education, as it is what I choose to do for her. However, I am hopeful, that the children who have access to the public school system, will one day become leaders of our DIVERSE AMERICA - just like my daughter who happens to get a different experience...
Kicking everyone out of this country will not fix the problem! Better guarding the borders - trust me does not fix the problem - in its entirety!
The level of animosity expressed toward immigrants is beyond comprehension for me. I was raised in a diverse environment and am a richer person for it. I, undoubtedly, learned to love my people - the Spanish-speaking community - who are from various countries around the world - though many of you seem to call all immigrants MEXICANS - as if the use of that word should be an insult... When I am called a Mexican - by others (rare occasion) - but it recently happened @ a social work event - the person using the word was making an effort to insult me (but in my eyes ridiculed herself)... I also fell in love with the black community. I fell in love with every ethnic group I had an opportunity to engage with. Perhaps as a young kid - who lived in a home where prejudice was not preached, I actually became a well rounded individual. There are many comments that in my estimation are discriminatory and stereotypical. It is sad - but true. Don't get me wrong - the Hispanic community is also guilty of their stereotypical and discriminatory views towards blacks, asians, whites and people from other Spanish-speaking nations. The idea that we speak Mexican - is also an illustration of the ignorance that exist with regards to the Spanish-speaking community. There is no such language as SPEAKING MEXICAN. All the Spanish-speaking countries have their own slang and unique expressions (part of cultural diversity)...
Why many oppose learning another language is a mystery to me. Needless to say, English is my 2nd language. That being said, I have never held a job whereby, my bilingual skill was a necessary skill - nor did I benefit from it financially... I have used my skill for the benefit of serving others in my community. I am sure there are professions where the bilingual skill is a must more and more in this day and age... so why not invest time in that. How can it hurt. One may actually learn to love the culture of the people who speak that language. Truly, we are all people.
Have some of us broken the law? - YES
Are we all criminals? NO
Is there a solution? YES
Is hatred/discrimination the answer? NO
Does it pay to judge all by the minimal exposure of your experience? NO
Should I judge all black men - for the ONE BLACK man who fathered my daughter - and chooses not to be a part of my daughter's life - nor contribute financially to her well-being (though he is an MD)?..... That would be a resounding NO for me!
FOR SURE - we are not all BAD - and we are not all GOOD! As a matter of fact, I have a couple of unsuccessful stories in my family (people who were not able to take advantage of their shot at the AMERICAN DREAM)...
I am greatly saddened by your
I am greatly saddened by your position on immigration. I had not heard you say anything significant yet and I just assumed that when you did, you would come down on the side of what's right. People say (Geraldo, Lulac, etc) that these people only want to make a better life for their families. Guess what, like the first poster wrote, SO DO OUR YOUNG MEN! What is a young Black man hustling in these streets for if not a better life. You know what he gets for it, JAIL. How dare anyone sit up and give our struggle over to a race of people % who can't stand us. I live in Houston in a neighborhood that used to be Black but is now majority illegal immigrant. So I see everyday how much they hate Blacks. The males in my family are all OTR truckers and complain constantly that in the border towns the Mexicans call them ni**ers and refuse to unload their trucks until last, making them lose time. Your statement that Blacks are not concerned about immigration is laughable. Who told you that? I'm sure by this thread you can see that we are more than concerned, we are angry and fed up not only with the immigrants but also our government and people like you who presume to tell America our stand on a matter you are obviously misinformed about. Please do what the politicians won't do, on your next appearance, have the courage to say you were wrong and then stand up for Americans.
Immigration in America is now
Immigration in America is now a fundamental part of our society. When it comes down to it America needs to come out of the hole it lives in and step up to the plate. I am a young black man in a closed mind society. My father is a roofer and unfortunately in the roofing business Hispanics are starting to shine more and more. Yes this is a problem but it can be overcome. If we take the time to go to school like we should, as a nation we wouldn't have to worry about it. Not only do we need to pursue higher learning, Spanish as a foreign language would greatly aid. Then the worries wouldn't be there because the same ones yelling immigrants are taking over, would be the same ones hiring them for work. They don't take our jobs; we give them up. We complain about a 9am-5pm but the illegals are willing to work 5am-9pm.
I agree a lot with the
I agree a lot with the comments above, particularly by Kevin (post#8). I moved from Gary, Indiana, to the Houston area. Tavis, you know the conditions of Gary - highest murder rates in the US, lowest ranked school system in Indiana for years, very few jobs for African-Americans, absolutely no grocery stores for a city of 110,000 residents (95% black), etc. Our children knew the corner gas station owned by the Arabs as the only place to buy food and necessities, at such high prices. In addition, blacks could not get the union jobs because the whites would not let them in. The city conducted a forum on why blacks are not getting the trade jobs, and the solution was racism and a lack of education.
Moving to the Houston area, I immediately noticed the opposite. No unions, but the Mexicans were holding all of the trade jobs. The legal Mexican supervisors are hiring only Mexicans because of the language barrier. These workers are nearly all illegal. I had a snake in my backyard, went to find a worker to kill it, and none could speak English. I held up a $20 bill and one went to an English speaking spvr and he told them, and they all wanted the job.
I complained to my home builder that they were using illegals, and I told them that I wanted a better deal on my property, or I will report them. They told me if I did, they would cancel our contract and refund me my earnest money knowing I had a tight timeframe to move in.
The school system in my county (Fort Bend) gives free pre-school to Hispanics. I pay $500 a month for child care, in addition to my high property taxes and sales taxes, yet the Hispanics probably don't pay close to 10% of what I am paying. They aren't even concerned with learning English because they know it is not a benefit to them to do so.
As far as your comment about blacks not wanting those menial jobs, I think you meant right, but it came out questionable. Blacks will do those jobs, but when they see 100% other Hispanics doing them, then they know what type of treatment they will get. My brother-in-law got a job down here in Houston at Walmart. The Hispanics would only work with each other, and would sleep from 3am-5am while he worked his tail off. Then, they would wake up when the spvr showed up and make it seem as if they did all of the work and he was slagging around. The spvr was Hispanic, and would cover for them. My other brother-in-law works for a city and the same things happen. The Hispanic spvr gives the blacks the difficult jobs (grass cutting, killing snakes, picking up trash), while the Hispanics get the easy jobs such as fixing a door or delivering an item.
Basically, illegal immigration has devalued our community.
It's natural for lifestyle
It's natural for lifestyle and climate-based preferences to underpin immigration among developed countries. Unfortunately, most migration into the United States is driven by the vast disparity in wealth that currently characterizes the world economy. Given that capital markets are actively undermining the 'home advantage' that American/European/Japanese labor has traditionally enjoyed, the best way out is to become a nation of smarter workers. According to a December 1, 2005 Economist article, "in 2001 about 11% of Americans and 18% of Canadians were foreign-born—but whereas Canada is importing skilled Asians, [while] the United States is importing unskilled Latin Americans." Letting uneducated Mexicans sneak across our borders rather than subjecting them to a rigourous and fairly-applied system of selection based on physical fitness, skill set and mental acuity is as dumb as accepting university applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Instead of the hoard of uglies crossing the border, you could take la creme de la creme by taking in underpaid Nigerian doctors, Russian nuclear scientists, Czech supermodels, Thai massage therapists, Indian programmers and Rhodesian farmers.
Mr. Tavis, I respect
Mr. Tavis, I respect everything, almost everything, you stand for. I watched you last night on C-Span and I agree with the caller that immigration is a serious concern for African Americans. I do not want amnesty in any shape form or fashion. Yes we have a lot of issues to be concerned with, i.e. health care and terrorism. I believe that illegal immigration is one of the reasons health care costs are out of control. People assume that African Americans are Democrat; I really don't care for either party. If we better protect our borders, not just the Mexican border, we can make it harder for terrorists to enter the country, possibly lower the cost of health care, and improve our schools in the urban core. I'm often disgusted with politicians when they say that we, all Americans, don't understand the complexity of Washington. The reality is they could care less what WE THE PEOPLE want from our government. If a Republican best meets my personal needs I'm prepared to cast that vote.
What is our history here in
What is our history here in America when it comes to Black Folks having small business in our neighborhoods, big ones for that fact. Is their nothing that the Hispanic people can teach grandchildren of former slaves? Speaking Mexican wouldn't kill our children. Won't it give them the ability to step outside of America and into Latin America and sell our goods? Music-sports-dress-entertainment? Travel and vacation giving the every day black person a land to visit. When will our leadership stop complaining and do what in our black nations best interest and meet and talk with leader and heads of the Hispanic community. Friendship with Hispanics couldn't hurt black folks if we just learn to speak mexican/spanish.
I am all for Tavis on this, I
I am all for Tavis on this, I heard him the other day talking about this, I am for you 100%. If the illegals are sent back its going to hurt our economy drastically, no one is thinking about that. All I ever hear are the bad things that the Mexicans have done, no one talks about the good things. It's sad, I belong to a local forum here in Okla. and almost everyone has so much hate for Mexicans. I say all the time it reminds me of the black man, who used to be the number one discussion. I believe that there is something that can be done so, soo many Mexicans wont have to be ripped away from their families and sent back to nothing. All I have to say is, I am for helping them become legal and have a shot at the American dream just like we all did!
To all in the bloggers on the
To all in the bloggers on the Tavistalks webpage: The comment made by Tavis on the Washington Journal today-went something like this-the jobs that the Mexican have are menial jobs blacks don't want to do anyway: Okay Mr. Smiley answer this question...Before the Mexican broke into the US-who were doing these jobs? Did the economy suffer then?
You suggest that if all the Mexican would get up and leave our economy would suffer...hmmm The only way the economy would suffer would be that the employer refuses to pay a decent living wage.. Correct me Tavis if I'm incorrect-but are you fighting for a higher living wage for all America? The only problem we have here in America is people in positions that don't have a heart for the everyday people that can stand before America and watch a family starve to death.. I still say America is not harsh towards diversity as you may suggest-but America are harsh towards the illegal way America is becoming Diverse
Tavis I'm shock with you comments today-you really spoke a lot of hot trash today and your comments are not received at all.
I have agreed with most of your insights and thoughts but my brother you are walking alone on this issue.. When I get pass your comments maybe I can see you in the same light as before but right now you are in the dark..
Menial jobs means that some black or white person can eat like they use to-before the floodgates of Mexican rushed in for low pay no healthcare... For those black men and women who would work the menial jobs-give them the chance to feed their families first... Citizens first and guest last.
If I were hungry and I ask you to feed me Tavis if you had your family to feed-would I not be the guest which would be thought about last... Yes indeed.. America first-guest last..
I feel that it is very
I feel that it is very important to be careful about illegal immigrants and that it is well worth spending time and money on. I believe maybe there could be a way to address this issue without having to spend so much money. It upsets me to see U.S. citizens poverty stricken and homeless while foreigners persecute and discriminate U.S. citizens in their own country. The foreigners break U.S. laws and take high seats, become successful, and run businesses in places wich they terrorize and discriminate against U.S. citizens. At times it doesn't even seem like a free country. I believe it is well worth paying close attention to and keeping America free. Our U.S. dollar says in "GOD WE TRUST" and it's supposed to be liberty and justice for all. We need to keep devil worship out and make sure our United States stay clear of terrorism and things which is contridictive to our trust in God which is why I believe we are a free country.
Mr Smiley....you absolutely
Mr Smiley....you absolutely blew me away with your point of view this morning on Illegal Immigration. To be blunt, it was patently ridiculous.
You had a Black female caller on the Republican line that didn't want to give her name(why you wanted it I couldn't imagine) and a Black male caller on the Independent line, that you just kind of waved off. You basically said that the woman was wrong, and that no one in the Black community is talking about this topic, and you didn't answer the man's question. He didn't say anything about menial labor jobs. What he specifically spoke about was Landscaping and Construction....jobs that people like you are saying that Americans 'won't do'.
Well that's a lie. And you know what's even a bigger one? The idea that we're just talking about minimum wage jobs. Many of our undocumented workers are also business owners now. Business owners that hire other illegals and do not pay any of the taxes that a business is supposed to pay in this country.
They also do not hire Blacks or Whites for that matter.
So you see....I don't think we need a 'Black/Brown' coalition. Hispanics don't need Blacks at all anyway. And that was evident when they amassed enough power to shut people out of jobs for not being able to speak Spanish, and began putting up signs in English and Spanish. Nor do they like us. I'm sure they'll take the help but Black people will get nothing out of it.
Mr. Smiley, you said that Black people would have to learn Spanish in order to compete. If you believe that bull then you haven't been Black long enough. Because let's say Black people began doing just that: learning Spanish to get jobs. What you'll then hear is that 'Black people don't speak it correctly' or 'Black people speak 'Ebonish' and we can't hire them because of that'.....there will always be some excuse. So no, I don't think that learning Spanish will help us at all. Because Hispanics do not want to hire us period.
You feel the way you feel. I understand that. But twenty years from now, are you really going to be comfortable with your place in history? Do you really want to go the way of Condi Rice and Clarence Thomas, as to having contributed to the further hardship of your own people?
And one more thing: this nonsense about how we can't find and deport illegal immigrants....I can assure you, this government can enforce the laws on the books when it comes to illegals from places like Haiti or Liberia. So it can be done.
I’m not sure I’m following
I’m not sure I’m following you on this one. This really makes no sense to me. The cost should be a factor in making the legislators of this country understand that this issue needs some really swift movement.
The real cost will be what happens to us (blacks) in the long run. You have to face some very uncomfortable facts. As soon as we allow people who have broken the law to get away with it there will be another WAVE of them headed this way. Coming from a country who has closed its own borders to the countries that are south of them.
Let me give you a picture of what’s happening in Dallas Texas as an example of what will take place nationally. My wife recently graduated with a double degree and wanted to teach for DISD. However, DISD said they were bringing in 400 teachers who spoke Spanish and because she wasn’t bilingual she did not qualify.
Head start is no longer for the kids of Dallas unless they are Hispanic. My wife’s cousin who is a DISD principal in South Dallas is now being told that because she is not bilingual she will probably lose her job! This notion that the Hispanic population will do jobs that no one else wants to do is ludicrous. Like any people they want to do better. They want better jobs… like all AMERICANS.
I know and applaud your suggestion that black people should learn a second language. I have learned 2 do to my theological education. However, we do speak English in this country right? Not Ebonics but English. Why is Spanish forcing us to lose jobs?
There is a long term financial affect that I think we need to be concerned with in this country. That is what happens when 12 million become 100 million. We have to close the borders first. Next, we need to enforce the law.
Unless you are going to tell me that Africans can catch boats and come into this country illegally and they will get rewarded for breaking the law… then to suggest that it’s OK for our brown people is to (in my opinion) miss the bigger picture of race and economics.
Tavis, I watched you on
Tavis,
I watched you on Cspan this morning and I must admit I agreed with the sister who would not give her name. Undocumented immigrants are hurting the black community really badly. Nothing against Hispanics but at this critical time all focus must be on us, Our young black teenagers especially are being denied entry level jobs that Hispanic MEN are doing. How are these young men going to enter the work force ? Who is going to pay the price for this (higher crime rates)? How can this injustice be corrected? Certainly not by bringing in more people to compete with them. Please consider this when forming these coalitions!
Having heard you say on
Having heard you say on C-Span Washington Journal today, that no one wants the menial jobs that immigrants take, I just have to speak out in disagreement. I hear it over and over again, but I did not expect it from you.
I am a 66 year old white male that started life in Oklahoma and currently live in Marin County, California. In that span of years, I have held many menial jobs, have held executive positions with some of the largest U.S. Corporations and I now an Insurance Brokerage - I am not wealthy, but I live comfortably and have a rich life.
My parents worked the vegetable fields in Bakersfield, CA during the late 30s and early 40s. I picked cotton, dug ditches, mowed lawns, washed dishes, worked as a cooks assistant, etc. to have spending money, buy my school clothes, my first bike, and my first car. We often referred to ourselves as "White Trash" and got some good laughs. I never once thought I was too good for a job and I am still not above doing the "menial" things - I am not what I do.
My daughter, a (special) person, has worked for Marriott for over 20 years as a maid. Loves it. Loves the people she works with and leads a joyful life.
With that as background, I believe the lack of a strong work ethic in this country is the result of the constant degradation of the people that have jobs that require less mental horsepower and are more physical in nature (requiring more brawn than brains). Especially since much of the disrespect comes from influential, important, intelligent, successful and powerful people such as yourself.
I thought it ironic that these menial jobs are okay for the immigrants but not okay for 'us' - the black, white and brown Americans. It's okay to 'exploit' them.
Mr. Smiley, please take another look...
Among the costs of illegal
Among the costs of illegal immigrants are hospitals closing and severe strains on some school systems. Estimates of the cost of the now-killed immigration bill were $2.6 trillion dollars. Costs for defending law suits are trivial in comparison. It was sad to hear Tavis defend not discussing immigration on the debate. It was sad to hear Tavis say on CSPAN that blacks and others won't do the jobs illegal immigrants will. The great majority of workers in stereotypical Hispanic professions in the U.S. are not Hispanic. Blacks have been driven out of the hotel industry in some parts of the East coast.
Dear Tavis, My ideas
Dear Tavis, My ideas pertaining to immigration are a bit unpopular with the main-stream-status-quo. America stole Mexico and that was a long time ago. We may forget or be ignorant of that fact. America, through Clinton and others, dumped NAFTA on our southern amigos. The Mexican wages were slashed. Subsidies were given to US agribusiness and the result was that Mexican farmers could no longer sell their corn etc. Businesses were established on the border and Mexicans worked there for pitiful wages. Where should they go to earn enough to feed, clothe, and house their loved ones? The United States Of America! Seems to me the border should be erased and North America could be one nation with liberty and justice for all---including Mexicans and other Latin Americans who have been devastated by US corporate and military and CIA actions. Canada must do what it feels it must. Divide and conquer is perfect if perpetual war, poverty and death is desired. We are all HUMAN BEINGS and I believe no one is better or lesser than anyone else. You are an inspiration and your honesty and integrity shine in the darkest places. Thank you Rebel Ruggles USMC patriot
Money should have already
Money should have already been re-directed for this effort in our country to fix the problem a long time ago. We seek to fight so many wars abroad when we have our own right here. To go to work each day and do the right thing in world where being a Young Educated Black Male is hard, it’s even harder to glance up from my work every now and then to look out the window and see someone who doesn’t understand a word I’m saying unless it involves money.
It’s hard to live in an apartment complex, that was very nice when you moved in but over the last month because of an increase in the illegal population in your area goes up the property goes down along with the area. I shouldn’t ride down a street with a healthy business life and see all sides of the street and each gas station lined with illegal’ s asking for work, or bothering people, or just sitting there for no reason.
My brothers and their families and their neighbors and myself shouldn’t have to pay more to have our children properly educated because of the number of illegal families has grown in our community and their children must come to school. Having worked in a school system that is a large burden to carry. They come in having no language skills, no hygiene, none of their vaccinations, no resources, and creating hostile environments because parents are wondering why have fees increased so much from year to year, why has the number of students allowed allowances for meals and other special programs gone down, or even why is that the lowest income family who works in the community and is a citizen doesn’t meet the qualifications anymore for their child to have free or reduced lunch or extra help with health care.
They don’t pay taxes, all their money is under the table, crime has increased, and money is only reinvested into certain aspects of the country, but the majority of our money is being mailed back to another country. More and more coming more and more children, and more and more needs. Too many jobs are being taken away, because they will work for anything and everyone else in our country has a basic standard of living.
If you take away the cheap labor obviously businesses will have to do the right thing. The cost of so much will go down, healthier environments for our children, and revitalization of our communities. We have plenty of Wars to fight here at home, and have plenty of people to see about. Why invite more to the situation?
Mr. Tavis, I agree whole
Mr. Tavis,
I agree whole heartedly with MuchLoveInEssence, the law is the law and it should be applied to all. I just don't understand how African Americans can stand by and watch yet another group of people come to this country and undercut them. Every job has a price and for a fair wage no job will be one that "American's won't do". Now is the time for African Americans to stand up and put the Democratic Party to test, why are they so willing to support a group of law breakers? Not all of the illegals are from Mexico, a fair number are from Europe too. Lets put it this way, if Tavis Smiley breaks into the white house he will not be given a room, board, or time to look around. For once he is found the law will rain down from the heavens above and that is how it should be for those who have willing committed a B & E against the US. And that is how it should be for the accomplish who lured them in.
Lets put America first and create jobs for Americans first.
There is a huge point to be
There is a huge point to be made-no one is allowed to break the law and run freely. The question you ask Tavis Smiley is a question that needs to be examined. How could any citizens of the United States feel comfortable with people breaking the law and people in leadership applaud that kind of behavior-while the black man's moves are calculated by law and his civil rights as a citizen are being violated by law. Tavis you just don't get the picture. You rather have this black and brown coalition-and for what reasons? Do you think that God will allow people to sneak through the windows of heaven just because they feel like they should be there? Don't you think that God has rules for the kingdom-from the word-I know he does...
If something benefit this Country then its so obvious that laws are thrown out the window at will. Poor Genalrow Wilson sits in jail being persecuted for breaking the law-while the Mexicans-non citizens of this Country have people fighting to make them citizens and give them rights they don't deserve....
So Tavis if you think for one second I could see the Mexicans getting amnesty while my brothers sit in jail ... If laws are laws-Tavis please tell me what point are you trying to make...You say that you are a Christian ...so if you stand behind your faith-what part of breaking the law do you not get?...Is it okay for the Mexican and not Blacks?
Tavis if you are going to fight for justice-let justice be without fault.. In this case of Meican vs US laws-we as citizens have a right to be angry and demand justices..
Tavis if your argument is money-then you need to calculate how many citizens are in the United States times the taxes we pay and see if we have a shortage...
BE REAL! There's no shortage-just a shortage of people with good judgement and wisdom-like most of our leaders....
Mr. Smiley please come back across the Mexican boarders so you can see the laws of the US in English...