alright... i don't know if i've voiced my opinion on this issue, but it's time i do. even if again.right now, according to ajc.com, about 500 people are circling turner field and planning to march, legally, to the state capitol where they plan to protest our new laws governing illegal immigrants. supposedly, organizers are or were expecting nearly 5,000.
two key words here: illegal. immigrant.
immigration implies long-term permanent residence by the immigrants. you and i are long-term residents as well. we have rights. yet we also have responsibilities.
one of those, however basic, is to know, read, write and speak this nations official language: english. one of the sign carriers today hoisted a banner reading, "i never live from welfare because i hard worker. i just build houses for yu."
while i can understand their not knowing english (i certainly don't know spanish.), there is no excuse for not knowing in an english speaking country. i feel like most agree that if one is to move to another country, it is their language and customs that they should learn.
that's petty, though. the real issue here is not that north america doesn't want their southern neighbors in our country. they really are beautiful people and add to the fabric that has made this land the comforting quilt of immigrants it is.
rather, this country has finally realized that many immigrants, whether spanish-speaking, are a drain to society. many do build homes but it's a job they chose. i work at ecco. i don't have to but it's the job i'm happy in and the one i want. i'm educated and could do other things... they could do the same. further, they could do it free by being a minority. that's certainly not fair but it's the way it is.
welfare, as the man wrote on his placard, is one of the hot points. many immigrants live off welfare while sending their wages to their home countries where it is converted into their currency, often times at a great exchange rate.
as an american, which through a legal process any immigrant can apply for citizenship, we have responsibilities. we have to pay taxes. there is no way around it. and we are a tax-paying society in order to maintain the standards of living in which we're accustomed.
we pay taxes to pave roads. build schools, which educate future generations. provide care for those who can't afford it. buy food for women with children. provide social security for those who've busted their asses for years.
then you have these people who come here and expect to partake in these things without investing a dime. can you imagine what a banker would say to you should you go into their branch and ask to withdraw money when you've never deposited any? hell no, he'd say. laugh in your face, probably.
another point of contention is violence. while i don't have the statistics, we all know and understand that immigrants are often trouble makers. it's a stereotype, sure, but it is one that holds true much of the time. they are also targets themselves with criminals realizing many of them carry and keep large sums of cash.
perhaps there are holes in the laws, which should be tweaked. perhaps those with families or those of a couple generations here should be grandfathered or something similar. but it is high time that the united states gets a grip on this growing population that is eating away the coffers of cities, counties, states and our nation.
forgive georgia for being tough and on the forefront of this move but i'm standing tall and in full agreement that there needs to be enforcement of laws that have been on the books for years.
follow the laws, accept the responsibilities of this country as well as all our wonderful rights and privileges or take your ass home. the end.
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