Where do you stand?

[AbbyMom]

We all did that!!! That must have been a National thaaanggg!!! We collected small bottles (Geen Coke and swirled Pepsi's) for 2¢ each. A quart bottle (Yes, a quart - these were the days before we went all metric - 2 litres) was 5¢. Ginger Ale quart bottles were the bomb - they were 10¢ except prohibited by law and 5¢ in Michigan and NY. Those were the days my friend...

If you remember collecting bottles, you must remember those prizes underneath the bottle caps. If you remember the prizes, perhaps you remember fishing in the pop machines' cap cups with a magnet to retrieve bottle caps for the prizes.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Civil/Citizen rights you have to earn.

I have been thinking about this since I read a rather hostile post on here yesterday (that has been deleted.)

What did any of us do to earn our civil/citizen rights....except be born in the right place?????

Of the illegal immigrants in this country, 13% are Asian (according to yesteday's US Today.) I don't know the number but there are many Russians, Poles, and the miscellaneous (such as my relative by marriage...who is now a citizen and like most illegals feared the deportation that could result from driving or visiting a hospital more than he feared spending $7.60.)

All I ever hear about are the Hispanics. I also read that a majority of those crossing the border these days (from Mexico) are from Central American countries.

I lived in Mexico. There are many Americans who retire there because the dollar goes a long way. And they expect to be able to find someone in the stores and gas stations who speaks english....and let me tell you how unpleasant some of them get when no one does! And let's talk about the tourist who go there and expect people to speak english (and shout at them if they don't..as that will help them understand), ask how much things are in "real money" (aka US dollars) ...love the beaches and the resorts....if only there weren't so many of "them" hanging around.

I think we need to change the inscription on the Statue of Liberty...based on the hostility expressed here!

[Lobodeb]

All I ever hear about are the Hispanics. I also read that a majority of those crossing the border these days (from Mexico) are from Central American countries.

I heard that of the illegal immigrants in the US, some (I can't recall the exact figure) 80% or so are latin.

And let's talk about the tourist who go there and expect people to speak english (and shout at them if they don't..as that will help them understand), ask how much things are in "real money" (aka US dollars) ...love the beaches and the resorts....if only there weren't so many of "them" hanging around.

I think tourism is different. If you are catering to foreigners, then you SHOULD be able to speak their language. No?

Just to clarify, at least MY point of view, I'm not anti-immigration. If we had no immigration, this country would shut down. My ancestors immigrated here, too. Like someone said in a prior post, unless you're native american, we all immigrated here. I am anti-ILLEGAL immigration. I don't understand how people who enter this country illegally want to complain about rights! Those people forfeited those rights the day they crossed that border illegally. That's what kills me. I was actually surprised when I heard that they weren't already considered criminals. THEY'RE HERE ILLEGALLY, therefore, they have committed a crime. The way I see it, it's ok for them to come here without following the rules, so if that's the case, people kill people everyday. We can't stop it, so then should murder now be legal, too? I'm exaggerating, I know. But I hope you understand what I'm getting at.

What did any of us do to earn our civil/citizen rights....except be born in the right place?????

To answer your question...NOTHING. We didn't do anything. Nor are we going to a foreign country demanding rights we aren't entitled to. If people come here legally, heck yeah, all rights to them. Just follow the rules, is all I ask.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I heard a report on the radio. I don't have a photographic memory so I don't remember exact numbers, but they were very close to what I'm putting here.

In the US,
- an illegal immigrant - on average - earns about $460.00
- a legal immigrant - on average - earns about $700.00
- an immigrant that has attained citizen status - on average - earns about $900.00

The thing I don't remember is if they earn this per week or per month. $460.00 a month seems ridiculously low, but $900.00 a week seems a little on the high side, so I'm not sure about the time period.

But the point is, once all these illegals are made legal, they will start wanting more money to go along with all their newly attained "rights", and then the employers will have to start looking elsewhere for those that are willing to work for less, which will start the whole process over again. Then I'm sure all the newly attained legals will have something different to say about the newly illegals that are being brought in.

To me it's a very difficult issue. Like Debby, I'm not against immigration, I'm just against doing it illegally. Like someone else on the radio said this morning, send all the illegals back and allow those that have been patiently waiting to enter legally in!

[Cataholic]

To me it's a very difficult issue. Like Debby, I'm not against immigration, I'm just against doing it illegally. Like someone else on the radio said this morning, send all the illegals back and allow those that have been patiently waiting to enter legally in!

I say allow the "illegals" that want to work in this country IN, and get rid of the Americans that take advantage of system.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I say allow the "illegals" that want to work in this country IN, and get rid of the Americans that take advantage of system.

Hmmm....I like that idea too.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

All I ever hear about are the Hispanics. I also read that a majority of those crossing the border these days (from Mexico) are from Central American countries.

I think we need to change the inscription on the Statue of Liberty...based on the hostility expressed here!

Well, my family came from lots of different places except the two I know were Native American. The difference between them and the immagrants coming across the border is the legality of the thing.

My ancestors obeyed the imigration laws that were in place at the time they entered the country. Several of them helped form this country. One was a minute man and was killed during the Revolution. So, excuse me if I don't take kindly to people coming in the country illegally and claiming rights they don't have. Come in through the legal channels and they are more than welcome.

I only saw Mexican flags flying during the boycotts. I promise if I would have seen one from France or Cuba or anyother country, I would have been in a snit about them too!!!

[Husky_mom]

i had to make a statement here...........

I by no means support illegal immigration at all, if you wanna go there, DO IT RIGHT!! because of those people going illegal WE ALL take the blame and the hate from the country they "invade".......

I am wide aware that the mayority of immigrants that cross the border from Mexico ARE from Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, etc, just to name examples) but there are also mexicans crossing illegally (i have a cousin that went that way and it makes me soooooo mad even more to have that in my family)

also it makes me very angry the way they "protest" in our national news thats all you see: protest about this, protest about that........and all became riots with violence and such i really hate my country for that, for having that kind of culture where they act like...........i really dont know what word to use except the a****** word............

as mentioned how do you ask for the same priviliges and treatment when you have no LEGAL RIGHT to them?? such a moronic idea

sometimes when asked if i would leave to live in TX or somewhere i always say YES!! (of course i´ll be furthar from my close family, but i wont miss my country, sorry to say that but i really mean that, and that because the kind of people that make us all be seen in a bad way)

arrgggg..........ok i´ll take a break since i´ve got more words than i can write right now so i´ll cool off and come back later..........

[Dixieland Dancer]

My son married a beautiful girl from Columbia almost 3 years ago while he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a marine. She came here for the wedding and we could not communicate because I spoke no spanish and she spoke no English. We did a lot of sign language (unofficial of course). Since then she has learned to speak very fluent English. My Spanish still is non existant.

They plan on living in the US when my sons tour of duty is over. She applied legally for Citizenship immediately after they were married. They were suppose to go to Hawaii this month to make it final (Closest American soil to Okinawa). My son received a letter stating her citizenship was being held up one more year and would only be granted then if he reinlisted for another year of service. He has already been in the service for 7 1/2 years and is ready to get out. I CONSIDER THIS BLACKMAIL on the part of the American government.

America is a melting pot for all nationalities provided they follow the correct channels. However, our laws are spelled out and they should not be altered by anyone (immigrants or government). One Nation, One Flag, One Citizenship!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

They plan on living in the US when my sons tour of duty is over. She applied legally for Citizenship immediately after they were married. They were suppose to go to Hawaii this month to make it final (Closest American soil to Okinawa). My son received a letter stating her citizenship was being held up one more year and would only be granted then if he reinlisted for another year of service. He has already been in the service for 7 1/2 years and is ready to get out. I CONSIDER THIS BLACKMAIL on the part of the American government.

BLACKMAIL was the first word that popped into my head too even before I got to you using it. Can you write any congress people about this??? With immagration being such a hot issue right now, it may help. Maybe CNN would like to air this or something?

[BOBS DAD]

What did any of us do to earn our civil/citizen rights....except be born in the right place?????

I don't know about you, but my grandparents came here legally! They did the "tough, dirty work" that ALL Immigrants do - because it was a job! Something they couldn't find in Croatia. BUT it was not the streets paved with gold they had heard about... it took tremendous hard work and a generation or two of menial work, long hard hours in the coal mines, factories and Steel Mills to get to where we are today.

They took what work they could get, paid their taxes and served in the military. They expected and got no special favors. They had to learn the language and exist in a complex foreign environment. My Grandmother had 11 children - all born at home with neighbors serving as midwives. One child died during childbirth. Why? Because they "had NO Health Insurance". My father and his brothers and sister went to "public" school initially speaking only Croatian. NO-ONE offered them any special attention. They taught classes in English and they were expected to pick it up. All my Uncles served in the military and 4 died on foreign soil during WWII and the Korean War. None of them graduated from High School! At 16 they were expected to get a job (my Grandfather's expectation) and make their own way. My father quit school in 8th grade (even though he was an Honor Student), lied about his age and enlisted in the Army. He worked his entire life as a manual laborer, digging graves, pumping gas and fixing other peoples cars. At one time (when all 3 of his boys were in college) he worked 3 jobs to pay the bills. All his kids went to college and now are working professionals and significantly contribute to society.

I know that many of you have the "same" story - just different names and locales. Point is - they did this all legally. Not hiding in any shadows but proudly paying their dues. They adopted their "new" country as opposed to expecting their new country to adopt them. The did not get and did not expect any special favors. I know that Latinos have it rough and those coming here illegally are desparate. BUT something has to be done to right the ship and fix the problem. A festering wound doesn't heal itself - it only gets worse.

So in answer to your query: I think we have "done a whole lot more" THAN JUST BEING BORN IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!!

[Sevaede]

BLACKMAIL was the first word that popped into my head too even before I got to you using it. Can you write any congress people about this??? With immagration being such a hot issue right now, it may help. Maybe CNN would like to air this or something?

Exact same things that popped into my head.

[BOBS DAD]

The thing I don't remember is if they earn this per week or per month. $460.00 a month seems ridiculously low, but $900.00 a week seems a little on the high side, so I'm not sure about the time period.

That doesn't "really" seem high - when you break it down. As a citizen, you can apply for Civil Servant jobs (Postal Workers, etc.) and earn decent money. You also stand a really good chance of being hired as minorities are given preference and extra points on their exams.

$900.00 a week is only $3,600.00 a month and $46,800.00 a year. That sounds about right. Not to mention that many people choose to continue to hold side jobs - often working for their initial employer (when they were not citizens and sometimes illegals).

Being against Immigration Reform or Anti-Illegal doesn't make you a "bad person" or a bigot. You are just excercising some of your rights as an American citizen - the right to dissent, to have an opinion and freedom to express your point of view!

[lizbud]

She applied legally for Citizenship immediately after they were married. They were suppose to go to Hawaii this month to make it final (Closest American soil to Okinawa). My son received a letter stating her citizenship was being held up one more year and would only be granted then if he reinlisted for another year of service. He has already been in the service for 7 1/2 years and is ready to get out. I CONSIDER THIS BLACKMAIL on the part of the American government.

That sure doesn't sound legal to me. That's terrible. I knew the
recruiters were having a hard time signing up more troops, but this is no
way to go about it.I'd contact a lawyer who is experienced in immigration
and citizenship issues.

[lizbud]

Just wanted to add this. There wouldn't be so many people trying to
enter this country at any cost, if there were not thousands of businesses
so willing to hire them at very low rate of pay.They would rather hire the
cheap labor.