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U.S. people can pick immigrant numbers
Published Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Few topics in the American debate today draw the wide range of responses that unbridled immigration elicits: sentimentality, frustration, confusion and even anger.
But today, we must contrast those warm ideas with a harsh reality: public hospitals are bloated to overflowing with patients who have no health insurance, no job, and don’t bother to learn the English language. Our public school system is burdened by having to teach basic curriculum in many different languages; entire neighborhoods are crowded out, replaced by mean streets controlled by ethnic gangs, or at its worst, terrorists who take advantage of our liberal immigration laws to infiltrate our country and seek to destroy us from within.
The disastrous ramifications of our ill-conceived and ill-managed immigration policies are widespread. To counter the destructive trends, we must understand them. But first we must comprehend the magnitude of the overwhelming force.
Often the charge of racism is used as a weapon against those who oppose unlimited immigration and the problems that it presents. It should be noted that this writer has the highest regard for the patriotism, work ethic and integrity of many distinguished Americans of various races and ethnicity who were born on foreign soil. The issues raised are in reference to the uncontrolled immigration policies that have produced a myriad of related problems for this country, not as an affront to any individual or ethic group who comes to our shores.
I believe the American people have the right to decide on the number of new immigrants we let in.
Mike Gordon
Albert Lea
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Comments
Posted by dinomac (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Other countries have limits to LEGAL immigration. We don't even try to really stop ILLEGAL immigration. It is putting a strain on the country's resources. It's not that these are bad people, but people need to come into the country through the correct channels.
Posted by trifid (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Corporations are the biggest beneficiary of immigration, legal or illegal. The next is the american consumer who benifits through cheap products produced by cheap labor.
Americans want cheap goods produced by cheap homegrown labor without unions and regulation. And they do not want these cheap laborers to go to school, get health care, or join their country clubs. It is the old class system....and a new feudal capitalism. Is it not amazing that there must yet be a law that restricts slavery, a time that corporations can only now dream of.
Posted by newyankee (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why again do politicians want to make illegal immigrants legal citizens without addressing the root cause of the issue? What is so radical about actually securing the boarders and putting a stop to this lawlessness? The debate quickly and purposely goes off track into charges of racism or classism. As the above comment demonstrates, as it reads like it was lifted from the socialistparty-usa website. Maybe it is the politicians who benefit the most. Every vote should count!
Posted by dinomac (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No... the reason Mr. Obama wants illegals to become legal, is so that he has more voters in his pocket for the next election. As long as they keep bringing in more illegals and converting them, the Dems will stay in power indefinitely.
Posted by metisman (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have been systematically invaded for the past 20 or more years, where is Homeland Security? Why are we chasing terrorists all around the world when our own country has an open border?
If you are here illegally, you are, in my opinon, a terrorist.
Posted by crzy_mama2mny (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's the thing. If they are here illegally, it is illegal, they are breaking the law, they are a criminal. We don't need any more of these! Send them home and don't let them come back. Also, if they come here from another country make them pay their own way! Don't let them live off those of us who work for a living. No food assistance, no medical assistance, no cash assistance, no rental assistance. That alone would save a lot of money.
Posted by chrish (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think calling most illegal immigrants terrorists is going a bit too far. Most of them are here to make a better life for themselves. Contrary to popular belief, they are not on welfare but are working for below minimum wages. If you want to be mad at anyone, be mad at the employers who hire them knowing full well that they are here illegally.
Having said that, I do agree that this is an issue that needs to get more attention and be addressed. While I have a lot of compassion for them trying to come here and make a better life, there are consequences. For example, even though they are not officially on “medical assistance”, they are causing issues for healthcare in states with high illegal populations. Hospitals can’t turn people away on their ability to pay so they go there when ill yet have no means to pay the bills. Hospitals in CA are filing bankruptcy because of this.
I don’t hold ill feelings and really do feel bad for most of them. If we all spent a day in their shoes in their native countries, we would probably want to do the same thing. I saw a documentary on this once and it helped me understand their position more. I get more angry at the employers who exploit them and contribute to this issue.
Posted by metisman (anonymous) on April 12, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Try stealing across the border of another country and see what happens to you. Let's apply the same standards & penalties to those who illegally cross our borders. It is that simple.
I'd like to enjoy the this rich neighbor's swimming pool. I'll illegally enter his property and swim for the day, maybe invite my family along. Make my self at home, complain about the selection of food & beverages in the guy's frig. I mean, I am only trying to live a better life. It is a fundamental right. RIght?
Posted by trifid (anonymous) on April 16, 2009 at 1:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The debate quickly and purposely goes off track into charges of racism or classism. As the above comment demonstrates, as it reads like it was lifted from the socialistparty-usa website."
Okay, Mr. America. Who is benefitting from the cheap labor?
It's not me. It's not you, unless you hire them. Corporations leave the US to acquire cheap labor. And some corporations stay here(like packing plants, large farms, etc) because of a steady supply of cheap labor. If corporations(who control this country) wanted the immigrants out....they would be out, either by laws passed, or by not hiring the 'scabs'. Immigrants are the perfect union busters, another benefit to corporate america. And many of the farm laborers are not given health care by the corporate farms, so the immigrants use our tax money when receiving medical attention. This country does not need immigrants. The corporations do. Wake up!
Posted by dutchess (anonymous) on April 21, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not all corporations, and lets look at our citizens how many are on welfare? How many keep having kids so the state pays? And their legal! How much does that cost? Don't get me wrong I'm for border control but we need to look at the big picture.
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