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Nautikos
Great post! The costs we already bear for illegals in Texas is far more than what we gain....in having to pay educational and medical costs for whole families....any woman who just makes it across the border and has a baby has given the whole family a different life. And, as Antonio pointed out in my post, we can all understand why they would want better lives for their families.....but, as you so clearly explain here, they do not come legally, do not embrace the culture here. When I returned to Texas after over 30 years away, the difference in the culture here is very, very noticeable.....and it has saddened me.
As an interesting aside.....when I left, we (native Texans) were talking about all the "Yankees" who were coming in, leaving their states because of the problems there....and, yet, wanting to change things here to be just like what they left! This was especially in the school systems. Our view was that they ruined their's, then came down here and wanted to ruin ours the same way. So, there is an element of that desire to hold to the familiar in folks from all backgrounds, in all situations....and that is why America, as a whole, is such a diverse cuture....but, as you point out in your post, failing to have cohesive national factors - patriotism, acceptance of a common government and laws, borders that contain that cohesiveness - is a fatal flaw. I am an optimist by nature.....but what I am seeing here is really giving me bad feelings for the future......
posted by
Krisles
on September 28, 2007 at 6:34 AM
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Naut this is such a superb post. It is clear as water to those who are
seeing the whole picture. You have to get out of the 'personal desires' position to be able to see what is best. It is certainly not surprising that you see all of this because you are educated, look at the issues and not the privileges. This is a great capsuled definition of both our country's greatest problems. So many are blinded. They truly do not see this. They are deceived, pure and simple. What the Mexicans simply appear to be unable to understand is: They want to come here and recreate Mexico. Mexico is so bad they can't live there and here will be the same unless they come into this country and adopt it rather than expect us to adopt an impoverished Mexico. Why is that not clear?
posted by
Justi
on April 1, 2006 at 5:17 PM
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fwmystic,
just one more comment: I wouldn't have the slightest problem with a separate Quebec, though many others would,
especially the French themselves. The majority of French-Canadians wouldn't dream of separating, although they also like to keep the
threat.
Threatening to separate from the rest of the country has paid off handsomely in special treatment from the Federal Government.
posted by
Nautikos
on March 31, 2006 at 8:06 PM
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fwmystic,
well, let me try and address some of the issues you raise. First of all, I must point out that this is not mainly a matter of race, but a matter of culture, although unfortunately race tends to play a role as well. Secondly, while there are sections in society, in your country and in mine, which are completely open-minded when it comes to dealing with 'others', there are many which are not. And that is particularly the case when they are confronted with newcomers who openly disavow any allegiance to the country that received them. What I know of history and human nature tells me that such attitudes must lead to conflict! Let me give you a blatant example of that sort of thing, albeit from a different country: several years ago, a prominent Muslim cleric announced in the most explicit terms possible, that it was the aim of Muslim clergy in Britain to turn that country into Muslim nation, and establish a Caliphate. That this was possibly naive is not the point. That it was highly inflammatory is, and he did nothing to contribute to the 'understanding' between Muslims and Christians in Britain.
Unlike the lunatic right, I am not against the immigration of anyone. But I am a sociologist, and based on my understanding of societal dynamics I am merely pointing out that illegal immigration on the scale currently permitted in the United States will have consequences even its advocates will come to regret.
posted by
Nautikos
on March 31, 2006 at 7:44 PM
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Naut - I am disappointed ...
that someone so learned and seemingingly open-minded would fall for the gloom and doom scare tactics of the right-wing who is desperatly searching for some issue, any issue, to energize thier disaffected base. Because that's what you are saying, that the future of western civilization is doomed because brown skinned immigrants keep streaming into the US lured by the Fortune 500.
If America really wanted to control immigration, or have a serious discussion about demographic trends that have been occuring for the past 30 years, then why limit the national debate to TWO days with no public hearings? If the land of the free and the home of the brave really wanted to stop immigration, then fine employers $5,000 per hour for ever illegal immigrant on the clock.
I've often wanted to live in Canada. Can't do it? Why? Because I and a potential employer would have to prove there wasn't a Canadian that could do the job. Hence, I'm still in Texas.
And funny, when I think about it. how the French "seperatists" have often talked of succeeding from Canada to form their own country. What would be wrong with that? Would the sun fail to rise or set?
posted by
fwmystic
on March 31, 2006 at 6:36 PM
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