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May 7, 2005 Part of the inscription on the base of the statue of liberty reads, “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-tost [sic] to me…” The aforementioned claim of American benevolence, like flower gardens of the wealthy and Michael John McCrae’s recent diatribes on immigration, is firmly rooted in bulls—t. In fact, I don’t consider it immigration as much as I label it repatriation. Mac considers it an invasion. I consider it hungry, poor huddled masses returning to the land of their ancestors in search of a better life. While I usually find Mac’s point of view supported by facts, this recent spate of anti-Mexican diatribes are unsettling and insensitive. While every man is entitled to his opinion, those that are hurtful and laced with ignorance need to be countered. There’s no denying that the issue of illegal immigration must be dealt with. But it must be dealt from a universal perspective and not focused solely on out neighbors to the south. Most pundits agree that the vast majority of terrorists in this country entered through Canada—not Mexico. However, the emphasis is on shutting out Latinos. I propose a three-pronged approach to the immigration issue: (1) A moratorium on all immigration until a comprehensive plan is in place and issues of national security have been adequately addressed; (2) All illegal Mexican immigrant—estimated at between 11 and 20 million, be given an opportunity to obtain American residency. Not in one fell swoop, but a limited number on an annual basis. This would be based on several things, including but not limited to, length of their current stay; their work and criminal histories and ability to learn English; (3) Crack down on employers who hire such individuals and then pay them far less than a living wage. Otherwise, this is pimping in its truest form. To create myth and misinformation insinuates an underlying hatred for people simply trying to do better. McCrae does this when he quotes from an article that refers to the influx of Latinos as an “invasion.” This implies that these people are out to destroy the American way of life. Mac wrote, “I personally have been going ‘high end’ with the 20 million figure because I don’t trust any liberal think tank or survey to be accurate or truthful to the American people.” I feel the same way about this ultra-right rhetoric spewed by he and Cromer. While I’m reluctant to label Mssrs. Cromer and McCrae racists, there is a venomous tone to their words. They come off as hateful and ignorant. I believe there are no reliable sources on the impact of illegal immigration. While I’m sure it does strain medical and educational resources, there is a plus to it—but to what extent is not known with any degree of certainty. I take the stance that these folks probably “contribute more to America than they cost.” Cromer states, “The estimated 1.1 million illegal immigrants currently in the nation's public school system cost taxpayers $9.6 billion every year in an attempt to educate them (despite the illegal immigrant community's epidemic-scale dropout rates).” A small price to pay future taxpayers. Second, the basis of these “facts” is not presented, nor is the methodology. Another fact McCrae fails to consider is that these “dropouts” are members of the workforce, albeit, oftentimes illegally. Furthermore, Cromer’s reference to subsidized housing being an area “where the crushing cost of illegal immigration is destroying the system” is pure b.s. If there’s one segment of government that closely monitors illegal immigration data it is HUD and local housing agencies. I’m sure the return of all illegal immigrants to their country of origin would be a boon to taxpayers. At the same time, some sort of program should be established that allows people to come to America to work and prosper. The insinuation is made that such workers send home every dime they make; that they are somehow “propping up a hopelessly corrupt government,” and “This is all money America loses in the end.” That statement is nothing more than scarology. In an earlier column, McCrae wrote that these immigrants, “…don’t want to be Americans. You want to steal America from Americans. You want to live in a place you are free to trash and destroy without being jailed. You want to bring your drugs and your crime to a place that sets bail for murderers and thugs and affords rights and legal privilege where you would receive none of that in your own country.” This does nothing but fan the flames of fear and racial hatred. Drugs and crime in America were here before Mexicans arrived. Last time I checked, WHITE people were the ones reaping the profits from the importation of illegal drugs. Americans are not naïve to think there aren’t immigrants who come to America and engage in nefarious activities. However, the truth is that the overwhelming majority want to work and they share the American ideal that hard work will bring success. McCrae pens, “Some of the greatest empires of history collapsed by allowing vandals, Goths and barbaric hordes of illiterate sub-culturists to invade; continually taking from their societies without returning anything to the existing culture.” It would have been nice if he would named one. More McCraeisms: “This is the lot of America. We have permitted multiculturalism to destroy what was once the unique American fabric. American culture exists only in history books and ancient music. American culture doesn’t know what language to speak anymore. It has become the language of Phonics or the Ebonics and spelling be damned!” “America is crumbling politically, diplomatically and militarily. Liberalism has managed to infuse itself into every aspect of American existence diluting everything that used to be moral and right with American society.” Is this the fault of immigrants? The following comment is what I call—paraphrasing Ken Hughes—“the poor white me” syndrome: “Have your protests, your May Day, your desecration of American values. Please throw your trash and filth in our streets. Please show us how your ideals are better than the American dream. Take over my country tomorrow so I can retire, quit work and let you pay my retirement salary and social security while I return nothing to your illegal invader-inspired paradise. I’m tired of paying your freight.” If you’re tired, go home and get some rest. But home for you, is far, far away. And I’m not referring to Europe. I mean La-La Land. Tell ya what, Michael: Why don’t we all just go back to our roots and leave America to its original in habitants. Then “we” wouldn’t have these “problems.” ------------ About the author: Timothy N. Stelly, Sr. is a 46-year old poet, novelist and aspiring screenwriter who resides in northern California with his three youngest children--Lawrence, Kimberly and Dante. He is a member of various writer's groups and has three novels in print, his most recent, "Like A Straight-Up Sucka," is available at www.lulu.com. website: http://stellbreadO@tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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