These Are the Days

I normally stay clear of political topics on my website but felt the need to write a rebuttal to something one of my friends posted online. Immigration is an issue that has been a hot topic in America since our birth as a nation. Immigrants have come in waves from various countries & continents seeking a better life. The Africans were forced here on barbaric ships, waves of Irish, Germans, & Eastern Europeans came through Ellis Island, & Chinese & others of Asian desent landed on our Western shores. Their contributions to our society have been immeasurable & the vitality they have brought to our culture irreplaceable.

The title of the document (added below) states all you really need to hear to understand the focus of the article. ‘no ingles’ or translated to ‘No English,’ the author seems to feel you have to speak English to be welcome in our country. Did the author take time to look at the fact a great majority of these people are bilingual? That means they are able to fluently speak two languages, something I hardly doubt many who support the letter can do. Are differences between people reasons to exclude or great reasons to include? I will take the latter every time.

The example of breaking into a house & staying is completely off target. I more liken immigration to you receiving a nice house. A few years later an immigrant family receives the house next door & you get pissed off because you were there first. Just because you had the opportunity 1^st, does that mean no one else gets a shot? Just because you get promoted at your job, does that mean the next guy doesn’t get a shot at your old position or even a shot at surpassing you?

The argument is always tossed out, my grandpa earned his way. My people clawed their way to make it. That is all these people are asking for, a small piece of the pie. A chance, an opportunity that millions have experienced, the American Dream. Just because you have your piece of the pie does not mean you can exclude others from theirs.

I am also at a loss to understand how people can say immigrants take jobs from Americans. Do you want to know why so many people have crossed the border? It is because our law makers & business people have wanted them to for decades. It is cheap, hardworking labor & without it, our economy would fail. How do these individuals drain funds? They don’t collect social security or any other social benefits. Their children may go to school, however they pay rent on properties that support your school district’s tax base. Our economies are mutually dependant. I know, I know, big words. That in a nut shell means our economies depend on each other. We depend on cheap labor & they depend on our jobs. Agree with it or not, your votes over the years have gone to support this system time after time after time. If you don’t like it, get off your ass & vote, if you ever even have.

I mentioned Ellis Island before. It is an island in New York Harbor that once was our immigration port. It now is home to the Statue of Liberty. I assume no explanation is need there. Inscribed at the Statue of Liberty are the following words, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” A lot of times I think Americans forget these words. It isn’t saying give me everyone that is white, speaks English, & has cash. It says accept all. America isn’t a charity but we will always have a place for hardworking people that want, that need an opportunity at a better life.

Teaching in public schools has afforded me the opportunity to work with quite a few ‘illegal immigrants.’ For the most part the families are hard working, dedicated, & extremely committed to making sure their children take advantage of the opportunities they have been afforded. If illegal immigrant means giving someone a chance at a better life, I am willing to break the law repeatedly to afford those opportunities.

-Dustin D. Schwartz, drschwa@hotmail.com-

no ingles??

Body: Body: Body: Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there.

It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America .... if you agree, pass it on (in English). Share it if you see the value of it as a good simile. If not, blow it off along with your future Social Security funds.

Posted by D. Schwa on Monday, September 11, 2006 at 11:31 PM | Permalink