.

I am HUGELY in favor of Unity'08. Which is mildly funny because it would appear that our politics are quite different, Jim.

But there can be no doubt but that the major parties are failing America--no matter what you think our priorities should be.

There's only one party I know of that truly gives a damn about Americans ... if you're shopping for a new political affiliation, I recommend that you check out the Libertarian Party.

http://www.lp.org/issues/pl...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...)

 

My politics are different than Jims as well.  I like what the Democrats are doing so far.  Sure I would like them to have more balls, but there are political realities.  The Democrats are doing much more than the Republicans did, that's for sure. The Democrats are moving in the right dirrection as far as i am concerned. I just want to see more being done and quicker..

I don't know how many times i have mentioned that minutemen have created more problems along our borders than they are worth.   Professional Border Patrol Officers have mistaken them for illegals, and these silly nonprofessionals get in the way of our Border Patrol's surveillance equipment.  Minutemen legally can only report a sighting of an illegal to a professional.  They can't detain or arrest illegals.  Yep, call the big boys when you see illegals, that's it, that's all they can do.   YEP!!!. We all can be minutemen.  lol.  They are a huge joke in Arizona.

A third party?   What would your third party stand for, is it just this one issue you are concerned about?   OK, I agree the Republicans have done nothing in the last 12 years to help the Mexican Border issue, and the Democrats are moving too slow, especially since the Republicans are fighting them at every turn.   But even if we have a new party they too will have to deal with the Republicans.  So what will change?

OK, so Minutemen are not needed? Let's put the National guard there, backed up by a 20% reduction of overseas military bases, because OUR border security is a priority. Illegal immigration - just that - illegal, not undocumented, end of story. What else? Tax reform? Time to look at a flat 8% rate, no deductions across the board? Health care? I have not heard of a viable plan put forth by ANYONE which will be financially responsible, because giving everything to everybody won't work. So we need to fix what we have now, not wait another 25 years when medicare and social security will be in a complete crisis. Legal reform is needed, our society is litigation happy. How else could you fund a retirment from spilling hot coffee. What about the environment, time to get a concensus, is it global warming which causes some storms but not the record cold weather this winter?? I don't think we need "experts" who pick and choose their findings to match their study grants sources. Let's make people serving as a representative just that, not on some personal junket at our expense. The sooner people work together and not worry about getting the credit or pointing blame, the sooner better things will happen. 

The minute men would have been great in 1492 to stop the illegal europeans who came here and murderd, thieved land, and lied.   You people are so funny complain about the very people who put food on your table.   All your ancestors were illegal, imoral, genocide commiting aliens. 

Sure, this is a land of free speech. Go ahead and say whatever you want...as long as you sign yourself "Anonymous"!

Jim Richards

'anonymous' that's really funny! Your statement is so laughable that I don't think even YOU believe it. If your intent was to get a rise out of some people, I think you've horribly failed. If, however, you're looking for a laugh, you did it! ;) BTW, CHICKEN!!!

So you do not believe your own history?  Why should your ancestors have had free reign to come here and no other peoples?   The influx of Europeans to the "new world" brought a Holocaust to the Native population here that is undeniable.  As far as believing it I truly do.  Didn’t mean to get a rise out of people, just to remind you that when you are persecuting the lowest of our society who does much work to serve our society shame on you.   A society is ultimately judged by how it treats its poorest and most vulnerable.   You want to stop "illegal" immigration then arrest every employer instead of the person who simply wants to work and make a better life.  We all know that won’t happen because our Society loves and needs cheap labor just like you like your cheap bunch of grapes on your table and the politics in power will never let it go away.  Just get used to it learn to speak some Spanish and live in peace. 

BTW, we do need a third party

I AM learning Spanish because I know it won't go away.  But that doesn't make it right.  I have no problem with treating everyone fairly, but why must we pander to those who feel they don't need to go through the legal process of becoming citizens?  Why must I pay for people to drop 'anchor babies' here, then have to pay for their health care.  Just because they are poor doesn't mean they have a right to be here when they came across the border ILLEGALLY.  In fact, NO ONE has a RIGHT to be here until they become citizens. 

Do you remember that joke of an event last year called an "Immigrant Free Day" in the L.A. area?  Well, in case you don't, the idea was that all illegal immigrants would stay home from work for a day and it was designed to 'show' all of us who don't believe in illegal immigration, just how MISERABLE our lives would be without those illegals.  You know what, it completely backfired.  Just what was life like on the "Immigrant Free Day"?  It was wonderful!  I could finally get to work without being stuck in a stupid traffic jam by some P.O.S., beat up car that had broken down on the 405 in the middle of rush hour.  How about we make an "Immigrant Free Day" once a month?  Then, how about once a week?  Then, maybe every day would be good.  Do you realize just how much a three hour traffic jam in L.A. costs local government, businesses and individuals?  It is a staggering amount, and it is finally starting to get some serious attention.  So once again, those of us who pay money to keep our vehicles serviced and in good working order, and pay our car insurance too, are having to pay again when some piece of c--- breaks down on the freeway, not to mention what businesses have to pay as a result (which just means the consumer will pay more anyway).  But, I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to pay more for ANYTHING, if it means eliminating the illegal immigration problem.  I'd pay more for
grapes, but I don't eat them :)  But I'll pay more for lettuce, strawberries, potatoes, WHATEVER, if it will solve the problem.  It's gotten so far out of control, it has to stop. 

As far as 'shame on me', I think it is unfortunate that you feel that way because it implies that you think you are somehow above me.  Neither one of us is 'above' the other.  I don't agree at all with your opinions, but I certainly don't think I am any better than you.  We are both human beings that deserve respect.  And I apologize for calling you 'Chicken', that was wrong.  Why don't you identify yourself?  What are you afraid of? 

To "Anonymous". If you would come out of the closet and post your REAL name, you might get some enlightenment from a women who sent this recent Letter To The Editor of The Orange County Register. Read it ...and think about it!

So many letter writers have based their  arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one,  suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty  because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who  passed through Ellis Island  and other ports of entry.
 
Maybe we should turn to our history books and  point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept  this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from  all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand  in a long line in New York and be documented.  Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made  a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times.  They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and  some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.
 
They had  waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did  everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.
 
Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws  to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents
  had come straight over from Germany  , Italy  , France  and Japan  None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan  They were defending the United  States of America  as one people. When we liberated France  , no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German  American or the Irish American. The people of France  saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not  one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another  country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a  disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here.  These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting  pot into one red, white  and blue bowl.
 
And here we are in 2007 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than  that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to  create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better  life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by  those waving foreign country flags.
 
And for that suggestion about taking  down the Statue of Liberty  , it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United  States  just yet.
(signed) Rosemary LaBonte

Jim Richards (I'm neither afraid nor ashamed to sign my real name.)

I remember one day when I was a child and my uncle spoke in his native language to my father.  My father said "No brother, we are in America now, and soon you will become an American as I have done.  In America, we speak English.  Our past is behind us and our future is here." 

Today's immigrant is different than yesterday's huddled masses yearning to be free.  Many just want to earn money to take or send back home, they don't want to stay here.  Why can't we establish a worker-license system so they can enter the country for a specified amount of time and then go back home?  Our agri-businesses would be happy, the consumers would be happy, and the workers would be happy.  We would have fewer "immigrants" because they would be able to cross the border at will and not be forced to remain here, in hiding, or risk getting picked up traveling back and forth. 

I also think we need a stronger third party.  Check out the Libertarians. 

Boy, timing is everything!  This picture just popped up on the web, but I'm having lots of trouble getting it into this reply.  This blog site doesn't seem to be very Mac friendly.  Someone PLEASE post this pic if you can...

Statue Of Liberty

"A float depicting U.S. President George W. Bush being spanked by the Statue Of Liberty passes by during the Rose Monday carnival parade in Mainz, western Germany, on Monday, Feb. 19, 2007. Thousands of spectators attended the traditional street carnival parade in the state of Rhineland-Palatinates's capital. (AP Photo/Bernd Kammerer)"

What happened to these guys??

http://www.reformparty.org/

 

Ok blaming illegals for traffic jams now!  People act as if we give huge amounts of money and make it so great for Ilegals to come here and work.  Honestly, people who work in the year 2007 in the United States as an illegal immigrant are not living a luxury filled life. The fact is that the vast majority of illegal immigrants working for places like hotels, farms, packing houses, restaurants, and construction, are collecting a paycheck that has taxes deducted from it.  Do you really believe that corporations and big business employers are eating taxes?  In the 1980’s the I.R.S. went to employers who traditionally employ illegal work forces and gave workers "tax I identification numbers" to ensure taxes are collected. 

  As for speaking English vs. Spanish I do agree that people should learn English because it will only enhance a person’s ability to be employed successfully.  However as a result of the trumped up Mexican war the United States signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which stated Mexican people in the south west area of the United States have the right to use Spanish as a first language.  This treaty was put in place to avoid persecution of Mexican people for speaking their language.  Much like we see today.

   I do agree that the immigrant of today is different than times before.  The people today mostly want to make money send it home and go back home to a better life, is that so wrong?  My grandfather came here in the 1920s as an illegal Mexican immigrant.  He worked as many things and did the most humble of jobs.  I remember working nights with him cleaning a bank after his day job.  I thought my grandfather must be important because they let him clean a bank.  My grandmother worked her entire life packing fruit in a packing house; we believe her death later was in part due to exposure of handling crops laden with pesticide chemicals.  These people worked very hard and changed names to more American names from Emilio to Mike just to fit in and refused to teach us, the 2nd generation in the U.S. Spanish.  Just two generations in America and I am with you a successful neighbor with a large ranch in the Tehachapi Mountains.  If people are just given a chance they can make positive change for generations to come. 

The reason everyone is frustrated is due to the great need for labor workers combined with a broken immigration system in a fractured, politically divided, United States.  TK you’re absolutely right about a worker license system.  As for anchor babies and paying for health care from Gregl believe me when I say the illegal immigrant is not to blame for our pathetic health care system.  You can blame pharmaceutical companies, doctors, lawyers, and law suite seeking crooks for our problem.  Medical care problems have persisted way before the influx of illegal immigrants.  Can’t you all see that the medical system is designed to get your last penny if death comes to you in a long sickness?  Even poor countries like Costa Rica have health care for everyone even non citizens.

   Why don't I post my name?  Why do you need my name to understand my point?  Anonymous really should mean as much to you as most of the non specific screen names on this page. This day in age an up front racism is emerging in our society, accepted towards an entire group of people.  If you only knew how many times I have been subjected to remarks and negative views about Mexican people due to people assuming I am white. These views are making honest working Mexican people feel ashamed of ancestry.  For this reason I don’t post my name in a public forum.

  Tearing down the Statue of Liberty?  That would be wrong.  The only change would be where it says. 

“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.”  (Statue of Liberty Statement)

Would America like it to say except Mexicans in those beautiful words on the statue?  What a sad Changed America we have become from the original dream.  We are so fragmented, lost and turned around from the original intent of the United States. 

 At the time of her creation, she was saying:

Whoever you are, wherever you are, if you can just get to America, you can be free. No matter what your station where you are now, you'll be equal before the law here.

No one will ask for your papers.

No one will fasten a number on you.

No one will extort a percentage of your income as the price of earning a living.

You'll be free to pursue the life you've always dreamed of. 

(quoted from Harry Brown, Libertarian President nominee 2000)

  It took two generations for this son of an illegal immigrant to take back over the border my wealth, im sure the selling of the ranch will secure a great retirement in a truly free society.  You guys can have this place you want to keep away so bad from others.

KB homes ranch land available!, divide it build it with illegal immigrants and pay me, i dont need American soil anymore.  Costa Rica here i come!!!!!

Thoughts on the Statue of Liberty

As with most parts of American history, very few Americans are aware of the Statue's background.

It was a gift from the French people to the American people. And when I say, "French people," I mean it. It wasn't paid for with French taxes; the money was raised through voluntary donations, given freely by French people as a token of friendship to the United States.

Why would they do that?

Because at that time the United States was truly unique. It was the one country in the world where individual liberty was prized far above "national greatness." And it was the one major country that didn't embroil itself in the endless wars the European people were so used to.

How Times Change

In the 1880s, people all over the world looked to America for inspiration. Its very existence was proof that it was possible to have a relatively free and peaceful country. No income tax, no foreign wars, no welfare state, no intrusions on civil liberties.

Of course, that's no longer the case. We now have all those things — and more. And, worse yet, most Americans have come to accept them as necessary evils. Government schools make no attempt to show children that it wasn't always this way — that it doesn't have to be this way.

Liberty Alone

When the Statue arrived in the U.S., Americans donated the money — again, voluntarily — to build the pedestal and assemble the Statue on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.

The great monument isn't called the Statue of the World's Superpower, or the Statue of National Greatness, or the Statue of the World's Policeman. Because individual liberty was America's one possession so prized by others, the monument was named the Statue of Liberty.

It is an impressive sight. Notice that Lady Liberty faces outward — toward the world, not toward America. With her torch held high, she is reaching out to the world as the symbol of liberty — bringing light and inspiration to people everywhere.

The Statue's Message

At the time of her creation, she was saying:

Whoever you are, wherever you are, if you can just get to America, you can be free. No matter what your station where you are now, you'll be equal before the law here.

No one will ask for your papers.

No one will fasten a number on you.

No one will extort a percentage of your income as the price of earning a living.

You'll be free to pursue the life you've always dreamed of.

Emma Lazarus summed it up in those lovely words that are inscribed on the base of the Statue:

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.

That is the America we once had — the beacon of liberty, providing light and hope and inspiration to the entire world — the America we have forsaken for a mess of tasteless pottage.

That is the America we should have.

And I am determined that it is the America we will someday have again.

(quoted from Harry Brown, Libertarian President nominee 2000)

by anonymous, the scared mexican