The protests will hurt their cause.
The problem is their in-your-face approach and utter arrogance and disrespect for the country they wish to live in. People will not tolerate it.

Originally posted by mecheng
The protests will hurt their cause.
The problem is their in-your-face approach and utter arrogance and disrespect for the country they wish to live in. People will not tolerate it.

I guess its time for me to get those blue contact lenses and streak my hair blonde. I am Hispanic and legal, and dont want to be looked down upon., and rightfully so.

I have no problems with immigrants legal or illegal protesting today. I think it's great that they actually are motivated enough to take to the streets enmass, however doing so doesn't hurt them or help them because their demands are simply ridiculous so it cancels each other out. There is no way any logical thinking person can agree with a blanket cover for all 12 million illegals to automatically become citizens. That is really ridiculous. There should be some sort of "amnesty" in which these people can go through a fastpass lane to citizenship if they were contributing to in a legal and productive manner.

Personally I have issues with our immigration policies. It takes too long via the "legal" route and when you have things like the wet foot/dry foot policy for Cubans it makes the entire system null and void.

More power to the people for bringing attention to the problem and all overall it is good that we are actually discussing and seeking solutions to the immigration/border issue. I hope meaningful and positive policy changes can actually come forth from this, however I doubt it.

[edit on 5-1-2006 by worldwatcher]

WorldWatcher- the difference with Cubans is that Kennedy changed the law, therefore allowing freedom flights to the Us.

Later on, they came up with the wetfoot, dryfoot policy. Its important to note that for the most part, after it became a law, was when the Cubans started their Exodus into Florida. AND- WE had to get passports, BEFORE we could come here.

It wasnt just a case on hoping on the earliest airplane out of Jose Marti Airport. There was still permission to be asked and tons of paperwork while still in Cuba.

It was not that simple.

Originally posted by 2stepsfromtop
Your concern about Gas prices is appreciated ...

Your blindness to the situation with illegals is not.

One day your neighborhood will have business signs ... in spanish.
Your fast food restaurant workers will speak to you first ... in spanish.
Your gardeners, house keepers and employees will speak ... in spanish.

And the english language that you speak now will be lost to history.

I am a fairly good in the spainish language, so I am not as worried as you.

Well, effecting the Economy of the country you want to live in isn't wise. This is going to hurt their cause. Foxnews is reporting that the LA economy will come to a stand still today and this is going to have an effect of the Union economy. Im all for protest and carrying out democratic rights, but i feel this will backfire.

Raise the Minimum Wage to $10 an hour.

I'd like to see a second minimum wage for people under 20, at $8 an hour. This would encourage employers to hire young people.

I'd like to see employers required to furnish health care insurance or add $2 an hour to wages. The employer's option.

I’d like to see minimum wage earners exempted from income taxes on up to 2 minimum wage earners per household. About $20,500 for single, and $41,000 for 2 worker households. Add enough tax rate to the top brackets to make up for any lost Federal revenues.

posted by infinite

Foxnews reports the LA economy will come to a stand still today and this is going to have a deleterious effect of the national economy. I’m all for protest and carrying out democratic rights, but I feel this will backfire. [Edited by Don W]

I sense this May Day Protest is a Great Success!

[edit on 5/1/2006 by donwhite]

YIAWETA

The agenda is multi-faceted and includes protecting government drug-running operations, balkanizing the US and lowering the standard of living, and inciting race riots that lead to the justification of martial law and internment procedures being implemented.

-A paragraph of your link.


Of course.

This whole situation is laughable. If you come into this country illegally, you have no rights and The US doesn't owe you anything. Your a criminal. I realize that many of these people are hardworking, good people just trying to start a new life. But they have to come in legally and learn the language. I mean really, I wouldn't move to a country where English wasn't the spoken language and expect them to change things so I could function there. I wouldn't expect anything from a country that I snuck into, no matter how bad things were where i came from. I just don't understand the mindset where the US owes these people ANYTHING!!

I have nothing against immigrants, my father-in-law is from Mexico and he's a great guy, I've had friends from Africa, Egypt, India, Vietnam & England. Some of the nicest people I've ever know have been immigrants. But this "I snuck across the border, I have rights" crap is getting old...

I hope the only thing these protests shut down are the illegal's jobs!

[edit on 5/1/2006 by yadboy]

[edit on 5/1/2006 by yadboy]

Peaceful demonstrations are the way to go. Still would like to see more American flags waved then Mexican flags. And that Mexico (the majority of not legal people are from I believe.) should be reimbursing the USA for expenses until they become citizens.

Sort of like Alimony/Child support or whatever. Or a recipicle agreement that I can go to Mexico for social services to be fair. If not then it is a one way street. I expect equal treatment.

For the ultimate hospitality story, read the story of Lot. Hebrew Bible.

posted by yadboy: “This whole situation is laughable. If you come into this country illegally, you have no rights and the US doesn't owe you anything . . many of these people are hardworking, good people just trying to start a new life. But they have to come in legally and learn the language. [Edited by Don W]

This morning I heard a fellow from Bolivia say something on that topic, Yad. He said in La Paz, only the rich and professionals could get visas and that the middle class and lower class had no chance to get one legally. Another story confirmed that the US has only 5,000 visas for unskilled laborers per year.

I mean really, I wouldn't move to a country where English wasn't the spoken language and expect them to change things so I could function there.

I dunno. Yad, I’m rather proud our country tries to help people who don’t speak English. All newcomers will learn some of the language over time. What’s the rush?

I wouldn't expect anything from a country that I snuck into, no matter how bad things were where I came from. I just don't understand the mind set where the US owes these people ANYTHING!

Well, America is so far from perfect I spend most of my board bandwidth being critical of our country for falling short of what it can do and should do.

I have nothing against immigrants, my father-in-law is from Mexico and he's a great guy, I've had friends from Africa, Egypt, India, Vietnam & England. Some of the nicest people I've ever know have been immigrants. But this "I snuck across the border, I have rights" crap is getting old . . I hope the only thing these protests shut down are the illegal's jobs!

Discounting the Native Americans, and African Americans whose ancestors were brought here against their will, we’re all immigrants or descendants of immigrants. So don’t we help strangers? Hey, what goes around comes around!


[edit on 5/1/2006 by donwhite]

posted by YIAWETA: "Hispanics are being used ! Orchestrated like everything else the Bush admin does.

Who in life is not being used by someone or using another?

Remember each new person here brings with him or her a lifetime of learning and experience we can use. That is why America is great. We had so many contributors from so many places.

[edit on 5/1/2006 by donwhite]

I work in a very diverse office; a mixture of Left and Right Wing and everything in between. Political issues are always matters of hot debate here. This is different though. For the first time I can remember, we are all in agreement today!!! The Illegal Aliens are making a major mistake. Their arrogance has backfired and hurt their cause greatly. Not a single person (100% attendance) here is on their side. Even our token office anarchist is opposed to what they are demanding.

Another thing I find odd is that they chose a communist/socialist holiday to do this. Is this maybe some kind of statement or just a stupid blunder by their leadership? Or is Cuba, the last bastion of Soviet style Communism, somehow mixed up in this? Either way, today seems to have hurt their cause rather badly.

In the news:

The country of Poland has decided to relocate. Due to the US' new open borders policy all of their people will be moving to the US and will not learn English. They have decided to live in Florida, pick oranges and then live off welfare the rest of the time. "Cuba and Hati had their turn, now it's time we get a shot."

Also all of Iceland has decided that Baja California is their ancestoral homeland and will be freely shipping 1 out 3 newborns to Mexico to claim their land back. "If racist Mexico wants to keep us from our home then we will fight", according to Thorn Graciaslethernson.

China tired of the US not buying enough China made crap from Wal-Mart has decided to ship 500 million chinese workers to the northeast US and go on welfare for 2 years and then go back home with money made or stolen. "The trade deficit is silly, why waste time and energy making things when we can just go to the US and ask for the money directly?"

Mexico, tired of being accused of being 2nd rate has decided that legalizing small amounts of drugs is the best way to make a name for themselves. "Amsterdam is for people who like going on the kiddie rides at fairs. Mexico is the Six Flags of drug highs and we plan to keep it that way", according to Waltando Disneyajas.

[edit on 1/5/06 by Atomic]

Are there any reports about the numbers of people that protested today or the effect it had or didn't have on anything?

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Are there any reports about the numbers of people that protested today or the effect it had or didn't have on anything?

Most networks did not give any numbers as to the amounts with one exception that was in Florida where they said 1,200 showed up in the largest hispanic comunity there.

As to wither it was a success or not that remains to be seen, many might loose their jobs tomorrow according to some reports published over the weekend.

Originally posted by shots

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Are there any reports about the numbers of people that protested today or the effect it had or didn't have on anything?

Most networks did not give any numbers as to the amounts with one exception that was in Florida where they said 1,200 showed up in the largest hispanic comunity there.

As to wither it was a success or not that remains to be seen, many might loose their jobs tomorrow according to some reports published over the weekend.

Uh i think that 1,200 might be a little off. My local news said 5 k Mexicans marched through a city nearby and they only have about 100 k people total. And i live in NC which has like 1/4 of the mexican population as compared to florida...