Woman to Woman

By luke

September 20, 2004 07:54 AM | Link to this

One important thing seems to be overlooked in this debate. ILLEGAL immigrants are ILLEGAL and should be sent back to their country of origin. There are enough problems in this country as it is without having to deal with what rights and benefits we should be giving ILLEGAL immigrants. if they are here ILLEGALLY then they should be sent back.

By A Jones

September 20, 2004 08:27 AM | Link to this

Thank you Shaunti Feldhahn, its REFRESHING at least to see the same opinions as many Americans, finally published. Rewarding illegals is an act of treason. These “rewards” are hardly granted to American citizens, nevermind, criminal invaders. Homeland Security should be doing their job and rounding them up and deporting them, according to law.

By Tim

September 20, 2004 09:16 AM | Link to this

First… Shaunti I do not believe this is the place for you to campaign for the president.
Second… While i do not totally agree with either woman I do find it concerning that Shaunti could say that “while the majority of illegal immigrants may be economically disadvantaged, they are not being victimized.” Please show me evidence that proves this point. Thank you

By Paper Filer

September 20, 2004 09:21 AM | Link to this

As the wife of an illegal immigrant I know that those that have traveled to the states for greener pastures should receive privileges! For the opportunities offered in this country unbeknownst to many of the American citizens some foreigners will do almost anything to obtain their goals of financial independance. This includes but is in no way limited to forging documents, forming families, or fraudulently marrying…which I have since discovered may be my case.

By Merry

September 20, 2004 09:22 AM | Link to this

Wow. This is the first time I have ever agreed with Shaunti Feldhahn on any issue. Most Americans agree that illegal immigration is a big problem and would like to see our immigration laws enforced and our borders secured. Unfortunately, many politicians buy into the fallacy that Shaunti brings up: that we need illegal labor. This is not true. If employers would pay a fair wage, with halfway descent work environments, I beleive that there wouldn’t be too many of the 2 million un-employed thumbing their noses at the opportunity.

By A Jones

September 20, 2004 09:34 AM | Link to this

Gee, PaperFiler, I need a better place to live, can I move in and you support me ???

By Cheryl

September 20, 2004 09:58 AM | Link to this

First of all, I need to point out from Diane’s comments that the United States of America is NOT a democracy. The framers of our constitution were afraid of democracy, of mob rule. America is a republic. We need to make sure those in our media refer back to how this country was founded.

With regards to the illegal immigration issues, what part of the word illegal do people not understand? Illegal immigrants deserve no special privileges that are reserved for citizens and legal immigrants, who work within the system for their legal green cards. Of course all people deserve proper human rights. I am not saying that people who come here illegally deserve to be abused and exploited. But when it comes to receiving the privileges of citizenship, such as drivers licenses, social programs, etc, these should not be awarded to those who break the law. It also diminishes the value of citizenship if privileges were rewarded to those coming here illegally. Why then would immigrants come here legally in the first place, if they can get everything handed to them on a silver platter? This country was founded on freedom and hard work, not hand-outs.

As an example, if I were to illegally emigrate to a country such as Italy for example, not speaking a word of Italian, I would not expect to receive the privileges of Italian citizens. Nor would I expect everyone to speak English. I would expect that to become a valued Italian emigre, I would have to work within their system for legal immigrant status, and learn the language, and work hard to become a productive member of their citizenship. Why don’t people respect America in that same regard?

By Regina

September 20, 2004 10:02 AM | Link to this

No, They should not have privileges. Illegal immigrants marched at the State Capitol on Thursday, September 16, 2004 for Georgia legislators to vote during the next legislative session to give them the right to obtain drivers licenses. No one forced the undocumented immigrants on a slave ship to work in America as slaves like the ancestors of American Blacks. If they don’t like the conditions, there is the option to return to their home country. I know undocumented immigrants have horrific poverty in many of their countries, but there are Americans at the poverty level also.

Their supporters state the undocumented immigrants are just hard-working people, not criminals. They are criminals by the mere fact they are in this country illegally. For those who oppose the view of privileges for illegals, the cry of “discrimination” and “prejudice” is used as the weapon to stop all opposition. For all we know, the undocumented immigrants may have criminal records in their countries. Just as many America cities give their homeless a one-way bus ticket out of their city, many countries may release their criminals with a one-way trip with a smuggler to the United States. There is also a double-standard. People of Color from Haiti and the Dominican Republic are “promptly” turned back and deported when they enter the country.

I don’t have a problem with legal immigration. However, many Latin American countries are taking advantage of American’s relaxed policy. For the illegals that have children born in America, they should be given the following two options:

Why are most politicians and organizations reluctant to speak out against illegal immigration when it affects so many Americans? Are they selling us out for future votes? The illegals are growing in numbers and strength. Most of them really don’t have a desire to become an American citizen. It may come down to basic survival for them, but what is the cost to Americans and the basic survival of our people, especially our poor?

By Regina

September 20, 2004 10:16 AM | Link to this

The following was not shown in my previous message:

For the illegals that have children born in America and are citizens, they should be given the following two options:

By E Lewis

September 20, 2004 10:59 AM | Link to this

When this subject comes up, I often hear things like “they are illegal” and ” they pay no taxes”. While it is true that illegal immigrants do not pay income taxes, and most of them don’t earn enough to do so if they were legal, they do pay sales tax which supports programs we all benefit from. As far as their illegal status goes, perhaps we should heavily fine those who employ these people. Too often employers have little incentive to hire legal workers and maintain safe conditions. Besides, who would do some of these jobs? Think about this the next time you go to Wal-Mart late at night and spend $12 on a pair of jeans while avoiding those cleaning crews.

By Regina

September 20, 2004 11:45 AM | Link to this

E. Lewis, There are many people who would take the cleaning crew jobs at Wal-mart. There are Americans who have been unemployed for some time who need income to support their families. The influx of illegals have hurt the average working person immensely. The sales tax they pay does not begin to pay back for the services in which they use as far as medical, etc.

I agree with you wholeheartedly that businesses who employ illegals should be heavily fined.

By A Jones

September 20, 2004 12:24 PM | Link to this

E.LEWIS, bank robbers, rapists, burglars, et al, pay sales taxes too, shall we IGNORE the law for them as well??? Give me the word, so I can rob a bank with impunity….and possibly rewards & benefits too!

By Laura

September 20, 2004 12:49 PM | Link to this

Priviliges should be earned and not given. American citizens have the privilege of obtaining a legal driving license because they, and their parents earned their places here paying taxes and contributing to society. How can someone who is a criminal and knowingly entered this country illegally think they are entitled to the same privileges? A medical student will study almost ten years before becoming a doctor, and thus earning the privilege of a high salary;likewise, a pizza delivery guy or secretary does not ask to make $200,000.00 a year because they know they are not entitled to such earnings. What makes illegal immigrants, basically criminals,think they are entitled to citizen privileges? My husband was an immigrant from South America, but he came here a registered legal alien, applied for citizenship, never once accepting any sort of welfare, and earned his citizenship while serving in the US Army. Because these people are capable of breaking the law, and have avoided paying taxes while they send their children to schools their American neighbors pay for, they want the entire mile, not just an inch. I’m for illegal citizens having drivers license—if they drive back home.

By Roger

September 20, 2004 01:14 PM | Link to this

Do gooder liberals have given away enough of the benefits of this country to illegals. It is time the do gooders paid the extra taxes it takes to give school and emergency medical benefits that cover illegals getting these benefits for free. It is time the AJC and the liberals recognize that giving anything to illegals encourages more illegals. And the bull about illegals fill jobs American citizens don’t want is also bull presented by companies that want cheap labor. Illegals take jobs away from American citizens. Try going to Mexico as an illegal and see how long you can live there and enjoy the same benefits Mexican citizens enjoy.

By John EB

September 20, 2004 01:17 PM | Link to this

If businesses “needs” immigrant workers, then let them hire them legally.

What people forget is not that illegal aliens “have jobs” but that they would not have those jobs if their employers obeyed the law as well. Employers will overlook required documentation or even illegally hire workers (and thus avoid paying taxes) in order to not claim workers’ benefits or process work visa paperwork. Why? Because those corporations want to save a buck or two and not hire a citizen or naturalized immigrant because they would be “forced” to pay job benefits.

There is no “over-supply” of illegal immigrants. There is a demand for them by businesses that want to skirt the law in order lower the bottom line and raise profits.

If businesses were required to claim those workers, then they would receive benefits. So let’s make businesses come clean about their “assets.”

By JDE

September 20, 2004 01:45 PM | Link to this

Illegal immigration should be treated as what it is: illegal. The U.S. has gone too far in allowing this farce to continue. Where else in the western world does an illegal alien have the “right” to appeal extradition? I am not against denying anyone human rights but I am against throwing away citizen rights to a group of people who already do not want to obey the laws of this country. Where else can an illegal have a child be born a citizen? I think it is time to review our laws and defend our land.

By Ronald Millsaps

September 20, 2004 02:07 PM | Link to this

It seems like this country puts helping immigrants ahead of helping native citizens. I wonder how many countries would do that for Americans who moved to their countries. As for giving illegal immigrants breaks, no, that shouldn’t happen, which essentially should go without saying.

By James Van Valkenburg

September 20, 2004 02:55 PM | Link to this

Shaunti Feldhahn, got most of it right, but what about companies that hire illegals? If a hotel chain hires illegal immigrants, then where is the penalty? Where is the determent?

We need to bring the detention camps back, until we can sort out what the heck is going on, are they political, criminal, plain illegal or other than Mexican?

By lyrazel

September 20, 2004 03:08 PM | Link to this

My grandfather came to the USA with birth certificates from two different countries so that he could get past the country quota that America had in place. I doubt that was LEGAL imigration but thats what it took to get in. He became an American sometime during WWI when he fought as a soldier for Uncle Sam. In the depression he worked at whatever trade was paying more than dirt they were eating: cobbler, brick layer, and probably picked cucumbers or corn, dug trenches. I am proud to live and be one of the lucky and blessed one who has such opulence. I drive by migrant workers in onion fields, tomato fields, peach groves, ditch diggers, fish cleaners, and all those nasty jobs that someone born in America is too educated/proud/lazy/wealthy to do. Why do hard labour when you can get ENTITLEMENTS seems the born-in-America way of work ethic. To the Americans born here we have had a life made cushy by the labour of others while we 9 to 5 it in big cars wearing imported clothes, imported shoes and we grumble and whine about foreigners who cant talk english taking all our jobs away. We want the BIG homes with the landscaped gardens…we just dont want to pay what it would cost to hire living wage workers and we certainly dont want to pay for their hospitalization in case they fall off our roof. We buy our goods from countries that scoff at fair wage, days off, sanitary conditions and other benefits Americans dont think twice about demanding from employers. We spend and want more, bigger, new stuff but turn blind to how goods were made. We want America for Americans, god bless us everyone, and calmly forget how Mexicans and Native Americans bore the brunt of western expansion by being pushed off their lands. We brought blacks to America to have a supply of cheap labour but we had NO INTENTION that they would EVER become American citizens. We had Japanese/Chinese building our railroads and when that was finished we thought they would just go home—why they werent Americans. We have this double standard denying foreigners and yet we are children of foreigners.

My problem with my liberalism is that I get choked up about ENTITLEMENTS. The older I get the less my entitlements will be paying me for all my effort and labor and taxes I paid—and my job situation has zero pension because I am self-employed—living on a wage to get by. I pay my taxes, I vote. I watch as illegals are given health care but I have to pay for it out the nose and other hole. Wish I could think of a solution but I cant. Should they get temporary SSI? Will I be paying for it? What about me? Can I go anywhere else in the world and get on their public assistance/driver license if I am in their country illegaly? No. Not in Mexico, not in England, Zimbabwe or Switzerland. Maybe there should be a Univeral Imigrant program where anyone can just live and work and drive in any nation of the world…makes sense in the global village we are being dragged into by corporations willing to sell cheap goods made by underpaid and unprotected laborers so they can claim profit.

By Thomas

September 20, 2004 03:40 PM | Link to this

First as has been mentioned before, Illegal aliens are in this country illegally and should have NO rights whatsoever granted by our nation. Just as if we were illegally found within their countries we would be most certainly be arrested, deported, or jailed, or even in some countries executed as spies.

It is also an insult to those that come to our country and go through the proper procedures of citizenship. To grant illegal immigrants privledges would not correct the problem, and it would be a detriment in the long run as it would encourage more people to come to this country illegally rather than go through the “hassle” and proper methods of obtaining U.S. citizenship.

As to human rights — yes we must preserve human rights, but not by granting special privledges to illegal residents. They are already abusing the law (and in many cases the legal rights of other U.S. citizens). To justify giving privledge based on abuse of illegals by employers is outlandish. Many U.S. legal residents and citizens get hoodwinked. and taken advantage of every day as well. So why should Illegals be granted extra priveledge. Let the buyer beware, and each person should take responsibility for their mistakes and actions.

Instead of granting rights, there should be a more harsher punishment to those that knowingly employ and then abuse illegal employees. Very Severe Punishment~! Also employers that rely solely on illegal labor, and do not hire from our legal workforce should also be punished heavily. This would certainly make employers think twice about their actions and their hiring practices. That is how you deter abuse and crimes against illegals.

As to taxes —- If Sales tax were the only tax, then the Illegals pay their share, but that is not the only tax we pay. So instead of illegals carrying their weight, they take a free ride on our tax system and we carry the burden and cost of the illegals. To grant benefits without them paying the cost of those benefits is unfair beyond reason. Eventually with the health needs and other daily life needs of these non-citizens, that burden will become quite heavy indeed as more and more people decide to come to the U.S. “Illegally”…

By Vincent

September 20, 2004 04:08 PM | Link to this

Can anyone explain, especially after 9/11 and Bush’s failure to renew the ban on the sale of assault weapons, why we are even having this debate? Illegal is illegal. As concerned American’s we should be furious they are even allowed here, furious they can now buy assault weapons, and even more furious no presidential candidate is talking about this.

In my book, an illegal immigrant tying up our courts because of any kind of abuse or one of them buying assault weapons and harming Americans is far more dangerous to the health and morale of our country than same sex marriage.

By A Jones

September 20, 2004 04:11 PM | Link to this

Also, keep this in mind. WHO do you think are doing all the construction jobs for dirt cheap? Americans are out of work due to Georgian construction companies’ GREED. I personally know out of work construction workers {Americans} who can only work IF they accept MUCH lower pay than ever before like the Hispanics! So to the construction companies of GA —I hope you all go belly up after we report you to the authorities for hiring illegals.

By rob

September 21, 2004 09:28 AM | Link to this

THEFT CASE 1.) As per US cencus: 14% of illegals are on welfare while only 2% of citizens are. THEFT CASE 2.) AS per state of GA: $231 million was spent in GA schools last year educating illegals. THEFT CASE 3.) As per the state of GA: the cost of housing illegal criminals (in lieu of deportation) cost $15 million last year. THEFT CASE 4.) The national research council estimates the cost of illegals is $11-22 billion per year. THEFT CASE 5.) 1/2 of all doctor visits made to Grady in 2002 were by mexican women. The bureau of immigration admits that over 70% of GA latinos are illegal. Are they not already recieving benefits held from US citizens? Hospitals are closing due to illegals unpaid costs which when paid are picked up by taxpayers. Illegals will be given anything they want with the taxpaying citizen picking up th tab because: Democrats exploit illegals for political means while republicans exploit illegals for financial means. The US citizens hard earned money is used as grease for the criminal appeasing, political machine called “GREED and POWER”. You are either an abuser or the abused.

By John Dibble

September 21, 2004 10:21 AM | Link to this

We need better immigration laws. Personally, I’m fine with a more open immigration policy - have an open front door for anyone who is willing to work who is not a criminal or a terrorist. Immigrants are good for the country, they don’t take away from the economy, they add to it. They buy goods just like everyone else. Though I think we need an open front door policy, anyone who sneaks in via the back door, the side window, or whatever is a criminal and invader, and they should be treated as such. I can invite you to my house, but that doesn’t give you the right to sneak in at 4AM. The same logic can be applied to immigrants.

By A Jones

September 21, 2004 01:18 PM | Link to this

See this website: www.numbersusa.com, you can see stats on immigration both legal and illegal as well as fax your reps/senators free with comments on issues. The illegals already cost USA $30 billion + per year. Thats enough for me….and congress wants to GIVE them Social Security checks, after Greenspan suggesting that current & future benefits be cut! I already paid in buddy not cuz I wanted to, cuz I HAD to….I want my money.

By Kool Kathy

September 21, 2004 02:22 PM | Link to this

There seems to be a basic unfairness in granting privileges to illegal aliens. Citizens of this country are paying for the support system of all people in the USA. Illegal aliens are not part of that support system. It is true that they are working very diligently. A large part of their income goes back to Mexico. They support the country that they have left.For those who were born here and those who came legally, they have to wonder about the privileges of citizenship. We know why “illegals” want to come. Millions more want to come to the land of the free. But we made the laws. Illegal still means not authorized by law. Until it is changed, it should be enforced.

By angrygrrrl

September 21, 2004 04:09 PM | Link to this

If illegal immigration had been treated & dealt with as the crime it is, there wouldn’t have been a 911. ‘Nuff said…

By Concerned

September 21, 2004 04:57 PM | Link to this

I constantly wonder why we have a problem with illegal immigrants. Many are here to work 40-50-60 hour work weeks for 300-400/week without benefits. They send money to their families so that their families can live a little better. I have worked with social programs like the Food Stamp program and rental assistance programs.
I have found that the biggest problems are with Americans who have social security numbers and a legal status to work, but would rather mooch off of the government. Illiegal immigrants have to buy fake socials and run the risk of being caught to work for 5-8 dollars per hour, 40 plus hours per week, and in sometimes grueling conditions without health insurance. Perhaps we should deport lazy Americans and allow people into the country that will bring us culture and a strong work ethic.

By Scott

September 21, 2004 05:15 PM | Link to this

In my opinion it is simple, illegals get NO rights. If they have a kid here that child is NOT a citizen. If they show up at a school or a hospital the authorities are immediately notified. Racial profiling MUST be enforced. In metro Atlanta the majority of illegals are Hispanic, so whenever a Police Officer sees a Hispanic they demand to see a green card. Drastic actions must be taken immediatley, it is bad enough every where you go services are provided in English and Spanish. Over 70% of American citizens want the immigration laws on the books enforced. It is up to the citizens of this country to demand change and remove any politican thats against it.

By Concerned

September 22, 2004 08:45 AM | Link to this

Scott, I have never heard words more disgusting in my life. DO you have a robe and hood to go along with that attitude?

By Terry M. Adams

September 22, 2004 09:08 AM | Link to this

Illegal immigration is a more complex problem than I thought. We can’t find a way to prevent millions of illegals of entering the country - and at the same time they are all supposedly being abused once they get here. Yet, they keep coming?

When convenient, we argue that they are taking american jobs. And at the same time it is said: they’re forced to accept jobs that pay menial wages - that which no American would accept.

We argue they don’t pay taxes - then cite example after example of how SSN’s are being used by multiple people so that they can obtain work. And of course the SSN is used for their W-4 (tax withholding).

And last but not least, the old fallback: Healthcare. We complain about paying for their “healthcare” and at the same time, demand that the government tax the wealthy and provide us all with “healthcare”.

I like my home and I like oranges and grapefruits. Give the illegals a drivers license (we give those that can’t drive - one) so that we can afford to buy a house and won’t have to take out a loan to buy a basket of fruit.

By rob

September 22, 2004 09:54 AM | Link to this

WAKE-UP. THE CITY OF ATLANTA IS ALREADY GIVING PRIVILEDGES TO ILLEGALS. Shirley girl mandated the mexican matricular cards to be accepted as valid ID by aid programs, law enforcement, etc. Illegal alien lobby groups also helped this along with cash bribes over the last 4 years. Mexico won’t even accept matricula cards as legal ID due to the ease of fraud. WHY are we?.

By angrygrrrl

September 22, 2004 12:38 PM | Link to this

Gee, “Concerned”, why is Scott “disgusting”? Because he cares about his country & its citizens? And FYI, if you were out of work for over a year, like my husband was after 911, you’d gladly take a menial job, many of which he’d applied for repeatedly & was turned down for repeatedly because he doesn’t speak Spanish…I thought (?!?) this was America??? My bad…

By Concerned

September 22, 2004 02:29 PM | Link to this

Scott is disgusting because racial profiling affects negatively people who have skin any other color than white (people of color). That means that anyone who is not caucasian will be harrassed simply because they are not caucasion. If you really want to look at the problems with this country, look at how Congress and the government enable lazy Americans. I work with people every day whose job is to have babies so that the government can fatten the balance on their food stamps EBT cards, TANF checks, and Section 8 vouchers. Perhaps your husband shouldn’t apply for jobs that want to hire someone who speaks Spanish. Even better, get with the program, step into the 21st century and learn a second language. I think that people who feel so negatively about illegal immigrants have misguided anger. Really want to be ticked? Try going to work 40 hours each week and watch Americans sit at home watching Judge Judy or go to the grocery store with a food stamp recipient and watch as they lug 30 bags of groceries to their Expedition…

By angrygrrrl

September 22, 2004 03:59 PM | Link to this

I doubt there is anyone as vehemently opposed to welfare & other enabling social programs as I am but the reason I agree with Scott is because so-called “racial profiling”, which bleeding-heart liberals decry as “racism”, could have saved thousands of innocent lives 3 years ago. This is the U.S; no American citizen should have to learn a second language especially when masses of interlopers are pandered to the moment they set unwanted foot on our shores. Oh, my anger is very “guided”. Illegal means not legal, i.e. criminal. I’m an American-born taxpayer; Of course i resent everything I’ve worked for being yanked away from me by hordes of unwashed, smelly, loud, disease-carrying freeloaders, many of whom are terrorists/terrorist enablers.

By Nakia

September 22, 2004 04:15 PM | Link to this

So much anger. Why aren’t we this angry about American lives and American resources being squandering while we’re “liberating” and rebuilding Iraq?

By Concerned

September 22, 2004 04:31 PM | Link to this

We seem to forget that this country was founded by people of other countries. And those hordes of unwashed, smelly, loud, disease-carrying freeloaders live better than most people who work hard for a living. Anyway, getting back to the question at hand. No, I do not think that illegal immigrants should have privileges. I do honor them and support them (at least for the ones that I know and thousands of others) because they work hard to support their families. They spend millions of dollars here. Did our oh-so-revered president not espouse spending to jump start the economy? You should write to your congresspersons and stop spewing hate-filled words against people whose work ethic would dwarf that of Americans…

By Scott

September 22, 2004 04:32 PM | Link to this

To concerned, you calling me a member of the KKK is typical of the response you get from the supporters of ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. You have no arguement so you try to hurl insults or call someone a racist. As far as you calling Americans fat lazy, we have that right because we are Citizens. My comments about racial profiling ONLY mentioned Hispanics not everyone but white people as you said. Hispanics are the OVERWHELMING majority of criminal illegals in Metro Atlanta. You are on the losing end of a fight you know that you can’t win. The day will come when American will confront this growing threat, my only fear is that it will probaly take another terror attack on our soil before something is done.

By Concerned

September 22, 2004 04:44 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry, Scott.. I fail to understand your misdirected comments. Come again?

By angrygrrrl

September 22, 2004 04:44 PM | Link to this

Scott, you are so right. The fact that we WERE the victims of a terrorist attack so unspeakable proves your point & there’s no reason why it can’t happen again; yet every reason it should not be permitted to. But, as long as the bleeding-heart, politically correct faction has the clout it does, we are pretty powerless. Real fun to be a sitting duck waiting for the other shoe to drop, hmm? “Everyone is good, everything is beautiful, I-have-my-head-in-the clouds” is an IDEAL. That we are in constant danger is REALITY.

By Scott

September 22, 2004 04:50 PM | Link to this

Concerned, Would you have preferred me to speak in spanish? If not my comments were not misdirected.

By Concerned

September 22, 2004 04:54 PM | Link to this

I have the PRIVILEGE of being able to understand if you, in fact, did speak in Spanish. Once again, please explain what you meant by your misdirected comments…

By Ronald

September 22, 2004 05:00 PM | Link to this

It looks like the guy who posts these forum questions has had a hard time coming up with something now for two straight weeks and has had to simply throw something out there. I can hear the feminists now: “Yikes! Someone said ‘the guy’ when it might be a woman making up the questions! This is a national issue that must be rectified immediately!!”

By Betty

September 23, 2004 10:04 AM | Link to this

Do all of you who oppose illegal immigrants expect to die young? All industrialized countries are facing declining birth-rates and concerns about who will support their elderly EXCEPT those countries that allow immigration. As noted, these illegal immigrants pay social security taxes without a hope of benefitting from the system, but YOU will receive their contributions for years to come. Would all of you who oppose illegal immigrants allow your families to starve because you were too cowardly to risk your life crossing a desert? Would you allow your children to suffer or would you do whatever was necessary to give them a hope of a better life?

By RokChik

September 23, 2004 02:31 PM | Link to this

angrygrrrl> “If illegal immigration had been treated & dealt with as the crime it is, there wouldn’t have been a 911. ‘Nuff said…”

Wow, could you turn up the ignorance and misinformation a little bit more? NO? Didn’t think so.

They had VISAS, honey. They weren’t illegal.

By angrygrrrl

September 23, 2004 02:45 PM | Link to this

EXPIRED VISA’s. Plus, a number of these subhumans had been known troublemakers. My, scary how we have terrorist supporters living & thriving on our own shores, hm? If you hate America that much, you know the drill…Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!

By Akeya W.

September 23, 2004 04:33 PM | Link to this

Any time someone doesn’t agree with hyper-patriotic flag toters, he/she hates America. The problem is not with America. It’s with the mindset of AmeriCANS. Hate, racism, sexism, all of the other “isms” you can think of… If this country is so great why are we living in the 21st Century, yet we think like we are in the 18th and 19th Centuries? If America is so concerned about illegal immirgrants, why not stop bullying other countries and help them uplift their economies. Example: Mexicans, Japonese, Koreans, and many other persons from other countries have long proven that they are here to work. They come here because their governments and economies are not helping the citizens.
Instead of fighting with oil-bearing countries, why not go into other countries who need our help economically? But the, I forgot, there would be no “war on terrorism” to “win.”

By Regina

September 23, 2004 04:45 PM | Link to this

Concerned, Just because someone is against illegal immigration doesn’t make them a racist. As far as looking at lazy Americans, we are too busy looking at the illegal immigrant women who are sitting at home watching “Christina” and “Univision”. We see them going to the grocery store with food stamps lugging 30 bags of groceries along with their stair-step babies/toddlers. We see them at Wal-mart having no control over their children.

By Van

September 23, 2004 05:16 PM | Link to this

Not only are these folks here without proper papers, i.e. illegal, but if they work they have a phoney SSN number, or a stolen one - thats FRAUD.

If they use that SSN number to get a driver license, thats FRAUD. If they go to North Carolina or Tennessee to get a drivers license, because Georgias too tough, thats right FRAUD again. Do they file income tax returns? Guess what, that is also illegal, either by using a fraudulent SSN or by not filing.

Your right, why should we bother

By rob

September 24, 2004 08:28 AM | Link to this

Boy, how discrimanatory illegal alien supports are. Why is it okay to limit european immigration when the country cannot handle it but not others? Is that discrimination against eurpoeans if they are not allowed to flood in the same as others? I guess you guys do not own history books . Ever heard of the irish american labor abuses or immigration limits. Probably not. Inform yourself. If you do not know ALL sides of the issue YOU ARE IGNORANT!!! I pay taxes and work for everything I have. If I am not given a FREE handout as illegals are how am I not being discriminated against? If you don’t think thery get free handouts you need to be educated more. I guess if you never sweat for your money or are on the recieving end of the tax spectrum you will accept and support free handouts as you are also one of the LEECHS.It is easy to hurl slurs of racism and insults from your ivory tower. Maybe if one of your relatives is killed by an illegal alien with a legal drivers liscence he illegally obtained you will care.

By Akeya

September 24, 2004 09:30 AM | Link to this

Regina I didn’t say that those against illegal immigration were racist. The comment that Scott made was racist, in my opinion. Also, they are sitting home watching Christina (which is broadcasts on Univision), cleaning, cooking, washing, taking care of children, and all of the other things that so many America stay-at-home mothers do also. Their husbands, partners, boyfriends are out working construction or washing dishes in your local restaurants. Their children are eligible for food stamps, so the 30 bags that you see them lugging is most likely also a cash payment with minimal help from food stamps.
I’m not saying that it right. I get ticked also that the children of illegal immigrants are eligible for things that my son is not eligible for. I have worked for DFCS and now I work with Section 8. I assure you that Americans are the leeches that Rob discussed. Americans are the ones at home with a social that they didn’t have to buy. That social gives them the right to sit home, watch Judge Judy and the “stories”, feed their kids Kool-Aid, hot dogs, and chips all day, and harrass social service workers about what they want more of. At least the illegal immigrants are working and trying to make a decent living. Americans have been given the privilege of laziness. Is that what everyone is so proud of?

By Ronald

September 24, 2004 10:48 AM | Link to this

“Concerned” is right that many Americans are lazy and are being rewarded for being so, BUT he overlooks that there are many Americans who are denied jobs because companies are giving legal and illegal aliens jobs for lower pay. This is unfair to Americans who are trying to work and give back to society. If people want to come to this country and make a living, that’s fine. There are ways to go about this legally. Come over, get immunization shots, and be an asset to society, not a detriment to it. Don’t expect to sneak in, get no immunization, ask Americans to learn to speak Spanish to accommodate you, and demand other privileges you’re not entitled to.

By Ronald

September 24, 2004 11:00 AM | Link to this

Furthermore, if an immigrant doesn’t want to hear a Christian prayer at a graduation, for example, that request should be denied. It’s arrogant, to say the least, for immigrants to expect society to change on their behalf. This raises the question of why we’ve given in to that arrogance. If we stood against it, we could get back to how our country once was and put the ACLU out of work.

By angrygrrrl

September 24, 2004 11:07 AM | Link to this

I agree with Ronald on all counts except for one minor detail he overlooked. There are many legal, native born AMERICANS who are JEWISH & no, Jews don’t have horns…anyway, getting back to the illegals…anyone notice TB has made a comeback? AIDS is thriving too. I think we all know why. Ahem…

By Ronald

September 24, 2004 11:28 AM | Link to this

angrygrrl—However, this country was founded upon the Bible, and our laws originally were centered around it, as were our schools. This shouldn’t be changed. I recall a time when a Jewish business owner on Marietta Square complained of a Nativity Scene at Christmas. To my knowledge, it never was displayed again. This shouldn’t have happened. By definition, we live in a democracy.

By Akeya

September 24, 2004 11:30 AM | Link to this

Ronald- I am American and one of the rights that I have is freedom of religion. I don’t want to hear a Christian prayer at a graduation either. I wouldn’t mind hearing a Christian prayer at a religious function. Separation of Church and State? Sound familiar? This country was founded on religious freedom. Angrygrrrl- You are just one misguided soul. AIDS is thriving because people do not practice safe sex and people are not taught about sex and its consequences. You need to guide your anger more toward doing better for yourself and the America, and less toward being hateful.

By Ronald

September 24, 2004 11:40 AM | Link to this

Actually, this is turning into a pretty interesting topic after all.

Akeya—You have the right to your individual religious beliefs, and so does this country. This country chose Christianity, which is why our original laws were based on the Bible. However, over time and moral erosion, there unfortunately has been a drift, to say the least. However, you are wrong in your definition of separation of church and state. We are guaranteed freedom of religion, NOT freedom FROM religion. An individual may have the right to be gay, but a Christian country has no right legalizing gay marriage, for example.

As for diseases, it’s wrong for you to preach “safe sex” as an answer. According to Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family, there’s no clinical evidence showing that contraceptives are effective at all against the vast majority of STDs. (Don’t expect the liberal media to tell you this, and I’m referring to a lot more people than just Dan Rather.)

By Akeya

September 24, 2004 11:53 AM | Link to this

Ahhh Now I understand.
Ronald, I can only assume that you are a right-leaner. Also, this country did not choose Christianity as its main religion. Please site specific information from a reliable source to prove that. I will happily read it and change my opinion if I see fit to do so. Also, safer sex significantly cuts down on the spread of STDS.. we’re not talking about pills, diaphragms and the like. We are talking about barrier devices. I can also only assume that you are more likely to read information that you agree with. This is a problem because to be able to effectively argue for or against something you have to be able to concede the opposition. You cannot do that unless you are educated on both sides of an issue.

By angrygrrrl

September 24, 2004 12:34 PM | Link to this

Well, DUH! If you pay closer attention, Akeya, I DO want to make America a better place, by deporting those who are harmful & criminal. Yes, we all know how HIV is spread but it was originally brought over here from backward countries. Ronald, the Bible is Jewish as well as Christian. Or do you lump hard-working American Jews in along with lazy, mooching illegals??

By Akeya

September 24, 2004 02:18 PM | Link to this

Angrygrrl- Most of the people who are harmful and criminal here are Americans, as we are the majority.

You are too sad for words. I cannot continue to communicate with you.

By angrygrrrl

September 24, 2004 02:43 PM | Link to this

Ba ha ha ha ha! I’m very HAPPY except for certain things that are wrong in this country. Oh, touching on a link in Diane’s commentary, re the foreign-born young lady who was, uh, “sexually harrassed” at her job. Unfortunately, a lot of men are like that. They do it to American women too. She never would have encountered this slob had she stayed where she belonged; in the country of her birth. And a lot of female immigrants do submit to advances of that nature because they think it’ll get them US citizenship. Whatever…

By Lee

September 24, 2004 03:34 PM | Link to this

First of all, the only reason undocumented aliens are called “illegal” is because they made a law making it illegal. Millions of undocumented aliens came to this country legally, before they made this law. You are probably descended from one of these undocumented aliens. These aliens came in and fought with the citizens already living here. (for those not knowing what I’m talking about, Europeans landed here, fought the Indians, conquered their land, created the United States). These aliens created a country with laws that made everyone equal. Now, there were a few bumps in the equality mode, with some races viewed as less equal. We have made great strides since then.

Now I support helping undocumented aliens. They are generally NOT criminals, as many on this board assume. They just want a better life for themselves and their families. Just like YOUR descendents did. I would also rather the countries that they came from become better places so that the United States wouldn’t become burdened with so many of the undocumented aliens. I commend the documented aliens who arrive here seeking a better life, and going through the difficulty of the red tape created by the government. Undocumented aliens should go through a rigourous process to become documented. They will be here anyway, so they may as well be in the system to be taxpayers. If they remain undocumented, that just makes them live in fear, and gives power to those companies who would exploit them. Removing that fear removes the threat of deportation that these companies hang over them. I do support deportation in many cases, but disagree that every undocumented alien be treated like a criminal. As for racial profiling: NO! As for the US being a “Christian Country”: NO!

By Lee

September 24, 2004 03:38 PM | Link to this

First of all, the only reason undocumented aliens are called “illegal” is because they made a law making it illegal. Millions of undocumented aliens came to this country legally, before they made this law. You are probably descended from one of these undocumented aliens. These aliens came in and fought with the citizens already living here. (for those not knowing what I’m talking about, Europeans landed here, fought the Indians, conquered their land, created the United States). These aliens created a country with laws that made everyone equal. Now, there were a few bumps in the equality mode, with some races viewed as less equal. We have made great strides since then.

Now I support helping undocumented aliens. They are generally NOT criminals, as many on this board assume. They just want a better life for themselves and their families. Just like YOUR descendents did. I would also rather the countries that they came from become better places so that the United States wouldn’t become burdened with so many of the undocumented aliens. I commend the documented aliens who arrive here seeking a better life, and going through the difficulty of the red tape created by the government. Undocumented aliens should go through a rigourous process to become documented. They will be here anyway, so they may as well be in the system to be taxpayers. If they remain undocumented, that just makes them live in fear, and gives power to those companies who would exploit them. Removing that fear removes the threat of deportation that these companies hang over them. I do support deportation in many cases, but disagree that every undocumented alien be treated like a criminal. As for racial profiling: NO! Go where illegal activity is happening, not assuming skin color hints at it. As for the US being a “Christian Country”: NO! Many Christians fought for freedom from the government saying which religion to be a part of. It is a free country.

I am also welcome to opposing viewpoints, where many on the “other side” would rather not.

By Lee

September 24, 2004 03:44 PM | Link to this

(apologize for double post, hit “post” by mistake) Many Christian fought to make this a free country, free of any state sponsored religion. Thus it is a free country, not a Christian Country, One that welcomes Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and all others.

“Bring me your tired, hungry…” should not become “Bring me those who are lucky enough to fill out the right paperwork.”

By Akeya

September 24, 2004 03:54 PM | Link to this

Lee- Thank you!! Finally, a voice of reason.

By hollie a ryder

September 24, 2004 04:22 PM | Link to this

The term illegal should not be difficult to grasp. No illegal alien should be permitted to remain in the United States, if one has committed a felony, jail that person at G-Bay, Cuba. Additionally, I believe that our federal laws should be amended to grant automatic citizenship to only persons of whom both parents are legal USA citizens. No more automatic citizenship just because an illegal alien or tourist mother gave birth in this country. Remember, other than death and taxes, the only sure thing is that things will change.

By Native girl

October 1, 2004 12:33 PM | Link to this

I am a 100% Native American Navajo woman, 42 yrs old, have been a substance abuse worker for almost 20 yrs because I have seen so many of my people destroyed by alchohol including my father. I am soo mad that with a college degree, great work history, belong to several local, and state boards, am known and respected by several organizations and am asked to speak at colleges. With all this you would think I would be able to find a decent paying job and advance myself in my field…..but no. Since I am a “indian” I constantly get overlooked and denied interviews much less get better positions. A good example is my supervisor who is white (working for a indian colony) is absent a few days a week, does not do his work,,,(I do his work). State regulators refer to me as the program coordinator, not my white boss. Well, he was finally fired for not doing his job. I applied for his position since I have been doing it all along anyway. Who do you think they hired,,,,another white person. I did not even get an interview. Imagine that, a indian working on a indian colony and another white person is here for me to train. I wish a native girl who pours her heart out to help her people could get ahead in this country so I could better provide for my son. Americans discriminate against Native Americans….were not all drunks, many of us are actually good, hard working, caring individuals.