I've had it.

[BeerSwillr]

I've had it with illegal aliens, illegal immigration, and the complicit attitude of US immigration policy!

My 16 year old has been looking for a summer job for the last 3 months, what he's found has been surprising. Not only are there no summer jobs available, there are no jobs available, period, for someone with no experience.

So you say he's not looking hard enough? That the jobs are there, you just have to find them. HA!

All the entry level, low skill jobs that would normally be taken by teenagers and young adults during the summer are being taken by illegal immigrants, at least here in Texas. The few places that don't hire illegals have to contend with 10 or more applicants for each open position.

So who is this hurting you ask? Just a few teenagers who will be back in school in a couple of months? Just a few teenagers that will contribute little to the overall economic picture? WRONG!

You know the answer. It's hurting everyone. Teenagers would spend almost every penny they earned, contributing immensely to the overall economic health of the US. They would be in the malls, movie theaters, and restaurants spending their hard earned pay, leaving their parents free to spend their money on something else.

The illegal aliens? They used to maintain a low profile. Now, they don't bother. They can be seen everywhere; mowing lawns, planting trees, roofing & framing houses, working at the lube shack, pouring concrete, gathering at several official and unofficial day worker hang-outs in the mornings (when it would be extremely easy for immigration to swoop in and arrest them.)

Where you don't and won't see them is out spending their money (except for at Wal-Mart.) You don't see them at Bennigans, Chilis, Tony Romas, Cinemark, the mall, car dealerships, etc.

Know why?

They don't have any money to spend on the US economy because they're sending everything except a small subsistence back to Mexico.

The illegals are not here to help us or the US economy. Anyone that says they are here to take jobs that US citizens don't want is being disingenuous.

They're siphoning off millions of dollars a year from the economy. Not only by taking jobs, but a host of other ways; education benefits, medical assistance, government assistance, thievery, robbery, drug dealing, you name it, they're involved in it.

And what is the Department of Homeland Security™ doing about this? They're putting on a dog and pony show.

They're outlining major new methods of monitoring ports of entry, airports, etc. with biometrics, fingerprinting, radar, facial recognition technology, and who knows what else, while at the same time doing nothing to monitor thousands of miles of open space where, apparently, it is relatively easy to cross into the US.

It seems to me that simple reconnaissance flights over that vast unmonitored territory would be able to identify these border violations and put a stop to, or at least slow, this illegal invasion of our country.

The Department of Homeland Security™ is largely ignoring the issue. Illegal entry into the US continues unabated across our borders.

It makes me sick.

What can we do about it? Other than mew weakly and post articles like this on the large wasteland that is the internet?

Contact your elected officials and let them know what you're thinking. Let them know you will hold them accountable. It's all in our hands.

http://www.senate.gov/

http://www.house.gov/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

[kevao]

Anyone who doesn't agree with lefty is called a racist.

For me at least, the word "racist" has gone the way of "jihad" and "intifada"; it's been used and abused so many times that it has lost all shock value. Merely white noise now.

[tame]

What evidence do you have, other than reductio ad adsurdum? The notion of securing our borders and controlling immigration is hardly untenable.

I'm not sure what you mean. Tiff would not disagree with you about borders.

[HIDEK6]

If I owned a lawn maintenance service I would be tempted to beef up my profit margins by hiring only illegals who work for 1/2 minimum wage w/ no benefits. But I like to think my moral upbringing would prevail.

You don't have to get snippy about it!

Or preach to me either.

I will point out to you that the vast majority of American teenagers have little interest in working. The contractors around here hire the Mexicans, not because they work for less, but because they value their employment. I have done my part in providing part time employment to teenagers, and the experience is not what I would call pleasant.

[skeeter]

Oops. I guess I touched a nerve...

[HIDEK6]

I would opt for the hard working teen ager who wants a job so he can buy a car, pay for a semester in college, or accomplish some other worthy cause.

Why?

Do you "feel" a need to provide jobs to teenagers? Or are you trying to maximize the productivity of your business?

If I have to pay minimum wage to an American teenager who is admittedly working only until school starts, or pay minimum wage to someone who needs the job enough so that he has to succeed at it, the way to go is obvious.

[HIDEK6]

I think it was I who touched your nerve.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Conservatism means taking responsibility for your own problems and not blaming others.

A criminal breaks into my house and steals my belongings, but as a conservative I should take responsibility for that and blame myself? It's an often used analogy, but it's accurate... illegals coming here and using the resources meant for Americans are stealing from us. The "responsibility" of conservatives should be to stop them from coming in that way, not encourage it.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I do my grocery shopping at Walmart, or a smaller local grocery store, and buy things for my children at the Dollar Store. The fleamarkets that I have been to seem to hold an attraction for all people, not just immigrants.

The immigrants that I know like to shop at the outlet stores, and generally do spend more disposable income than I do. Perhaps I am more frugal than most people my age, I do not know. Also, I have kind of burnt out on buying new, new, new, unless it is necessary. I am sure the advertisers are disappointed in me.

[MARTIAL MONK]

I can ditto that. If you need more I can add the names of a few dozen other contractors. Hiring American kids is not just a problem, it is a brick wall. I won't do it again.

[skeeter]

I think it was I who touched your nerve.

No, not you.

Those who encourage illegal line jumpers to invade our country, filling up our prisons and taxing our educational & health care system, just to put a few extra bucks in their greedy little pockets do peeve me somewhat, however.

Thats not you, is it?

[BeerSwillr]

All of the contractors (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing) that we's talked to aren't hiring under 18 teens anymore because of insurance liabilities. It's rediculous.

[Nea Wood]

Most abortions in my home state (California) kill unborn Mexican children.

Who's the racist? Sounds like "Tiffany" only cares about the Mexican children who are aborted.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I was speaking to a young mother recently, about Georgia's tax-funded health care system for low-income families. (Peachcare) She was astonished that my family and I didn't qualify, because we made too much money, and she said it wasn't fair. I guess it isn't fair that my family not only has to pay for our own healthcare, but also those who are on tax-funded medical assistance. But, to me, it is a source of pride that my husband is capable of securing gainful employment, good benefits and enough money to care for his family, after our taxes are paid.

[MatthewViti]

once they come here then they can become citizens...Bush welcomes them here...they vote for him once he panders to them...see?

[HIDEK6]

No, it's not me.

I am comparing the worth of a person who needs a job with a person who doesn't. My argument is to hire the person who has a selfish interest in succeding in his job because he will be a more productive worker. Therefore, your business will be healthier and more likely to provide for your needs.

I have never advocated hiring an illegal alien, nor would I.

However, just because a person is Mexican is no reason to assume he is an illegal alien.

Just because your kid can't find a part time party time job is no reason to assume the businessman is at fault.

[twinzmommy]

I agree -- I think CFA is one of the only fast food places to still have standards in customer service. I have yet to receive bad service in one of their stores.

Just my .02

[philetus]

Illegal Immigration Reduction Resolution
Americans have a moral obligation first to provide opportunities to our fellow citizens including our own working poor, homeless, and unemployed, and our struggling middle class:

WHEREAS, The undersigned is committed to delivering honest leadership, quality service, and management to enhance the opportunities and quality of life for all of its local residents who are U.S. citizens; and to supporting local industry and businesses; and to respecting Americans who work to provide for themselves and their families.

WHEREAS, The undersigned supports local enterprises whenever possible and works to create enterprises and incentives to retain and attract good paying jobs to members of our own communities.

WHEREAS, Annually, American workers lose $133 billion in wages due to wage depression and displacement from jobs because of immigration (Dr. George Borjas, Professor of Economics, Harvard University), and, in 1997, illegal immigration cost our nation's taxpayers a net $41 billion. (Dr. Donald Huddle, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Rice University)

WHEREAS, The undersigned was shocked to learn that illegal immigrants are being employed in our communities in occupations that might otherwise be filled by local residents who are U.S. citizens.

WHEREAS, The undersigned feels that continued employment of illegal immigrants is illegal, wrong, and harmful to the businesses and workers of our communities and has determined it is important to take a stand against such illegal hiring practices.



I, (Print First and Last Name) , of (Print City and State)

HEREBY RESOLVE:

Not to contract with or support any business that, either directly or indirectly, engages in the practice of hiring illegal immigrants, and hereby to urge the State and Federal governments and agencies to adopt this policy.

That, by adopting this Resolution, it is the undersigned's intent to create a requirement that any such business requesting to do business with the local government, and/or to potentially receive any economic benefits therefore, be denied such benefits, and that any firm currently doing business, or who has received or is receiving, any economic benefit from the local government may not do further business with that public entity and their economic benefit shall be terminated.

Signature:
Address: City: State: Zip:
Phone (day): (evening): EMail:

Please send a copy to BALANCE!
return to: Population-Environment Balance (ASAP! Founding Sponsor)
2000 P St NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 955-5700, Fax: (202) 955-6161
email: uspop@us.net
home: www.balance.org
ASAP! Coalition Action How to Use the Resolutions

[Chewbacca]

Give your kid a lawnmower, some gloves, a rake, and some gardening tools and have him go door to door asking for any work to do.

He will earn more money and not have to pay into social security or pay any taxes on his income.

[new cruelty]

You are not sure what I mean when I asked what evidence you have that tiff was being sarcastic?

You stated you knew for a fact that tiffany was employing reductio ad adsurdum. The comments were absurd, true, but to what avail? Tiffany's post ran contrary to the opinions of others. If, as you state, this was simply reducing the argument to the absurd, what is absurd about this issue of illegal immigration? Is it absurd to think the problem can be resolved? Likely not, as you stated, 'tiff would not disagree' that this issue is untenable. So what point was being made? Or were the comments made in jest, simply meant to pester others?

So, I ask again, only in another fashion, how do you know for a fact that tiffany was employing reductio ad adsurdum? I expect you must know tiffany, but I wasn't sure, so I ask.

[WaterDragon]

You don't start with government "at the highest levels"....you start at the lowest levels and work up. Your local politicians have a LOT to do with how illegals are dealt with.