My Heart Is Still Pounding

[gaparicio]

Brian, sorry you had to go through some hardships. I do believe it sucks that you've had problems in terms of illegal immigrants stealing your SS.

I am Mexican American and I do feel insulted when people say illegal immigrants should go back to their country. I don't have a problem with members on this forum since this is a rants and raves column. It's just that when you're out in the real world instead of on a computer, other people with exactly your same thoughts on immigration can't tell the difference and just blurt out obscene things to whomever THEY think looks like an illegal immigrant to them. This thread just reminds me of some issues I've had outside that's all.

I have family in Mexico and visit whenever I can. I wasn't born over there but I do feel like it could be my second home. When someone bashes the country or its people, why wouldn't I feel offended?

Like I have said in my earlier post, it's a crap shoot on the immigration issue in general. If they should stay, drug dealers, rapists, gang members and murderers will give the hard working immigrants a bad name. If they should leave, I doubt any of you will want their minimum wage jobs.

There are far worse things in this world than to worry about something like this. I'd rather worry about global warming, dwindling rainforests, air polution or conservation in general than worrying about money and politcs, but that's just me. That's what this is really all about.

 

[BalloonzForU]

There are far worse things in this world than to worry about something like this. I'd rather worry about global warming, dwindling rainforests, air polution or conservation in general than worrying about money and politcs, but that's just me. That's what this is really all about.

Good Point Greg!!! :main_thumbsup:

 

[The NY Gecko]

.

 

[The NY Gecko]

Brian, sorry you had to go through some hardships. I do believe it sucks that you've had problems in terms of illegal immigrants stealing your SS.

I am Mexican American and I do feel insulted when people say illegal immigrants should go back to their country. I don't have a problem with members on this forum since this is a rants and raves column. It's just that when you're out in the real world instead of on a computer, other people with exactly your same thoughts on immigration can't tell the difference and just blurt out obscene things to whomever THEY think looks like an illegal immigrant to them. This thread just reminds me of some issues I've had outside that's all.

I have family in Mexico and visit whenever I can. I wasn't born over there but I do feel like it could be my second home. When someone bashes the country or its people, why wouldn't I feel offended?

Like I have said in my earlier post, it's a crap shoot on the immigration issue in general. If they should stay, drug dealers, rapists, gang members and murderers will give the hard working immigrants a bad name. If they should leave, I doubt any of you will want their minimum wage jobs.

There are far worse things in this world than to worry about something like this. I'd rather worry about global warming, dwindling rainforests, air polution or conservation in general than worrying about money and politcs, but that's just me. That's what this is really all about.

Wait wait, see, your stereotyping. People mention illegal immigration and you automatically assume they're talking about mexicans. Your profiling yourself. And why do you get so offended when people say illegals should go back? Thats the whole stigma here. They are ILLEGAL. That means they're not supposed to be here. As for any of us wanting a minimum wage job....*raises hand*



As for reporting bad posts. The flip side to that is...


If you guys work as hard as you claim, why would we need to? ;-)

 

[Val]

Because my life isn't this forum. I'd prefer not working an 8+ hour day and then coming home to edit peoples posts because they can't follow simple rules. We can't catch everyone, since we'd like lives as well.

 

[Brian O]

You know what Gregg I'm not sorry for my hardships. It's part of what has made me what I am. When I couldn't get by I joined the army. It's still a legitimate way to get citizenship legally. It made me truly appreciate everything that I have and not just because I had to work for it. I see the cost of what we have going back generations. That's what is so frustrating to me. It just seems like they want a free hand out. Why not after all when we give it to everyone else.

I'm sorry you've experienced some hostile comments Gregg. It's kind of funny. I get treated like a white guy by hispanics. When white people find out my real name is Garcia and that Ortegel is my adopted name they treat me like a minority. So I get it from both sides.

I'm sorry you ar being offended but can you point out something I said that isn't true? I hope you see that the problem isn't being or ever going to get solved the way things are going. It only makes it worse for the rest of us. It reminds me of when I saved this guy from drowning. I swam up to him and told him to relax while I took him back to shore (this was in texas). He didn't speak English so he didn't understand me. When I tried to hook him to pull him to shore he turned on me. He started dunking me and I almost drowned myself. I had to punch him in the face several times to get him to stop.

You're right I don't want their jobs. My family worked hard and I worked harder to get me to where I don't have to work three minimum wage jobs to get by. There are however more than enough other people that will gladly be poor in Amerca than live in the Hell hole they came from.

Gregg what do you mean by your last paragraph. Global warming is from pollution. Dwindling rainforest are part of global warming. Air pollution and conservation these are all the same topics and they all are ruled and governed by money and politics. When companies move their plants to third world countries it isn't to strengthen the global economy. They can move in and exploit the people. They also can pollute the land and all they have to do is grease some palms. Look at what's happening to China and all the coal they burn. You need to look at the bigger picture and not just the well being of a select few.

The thing that bothered me the most about your post is that your Mexican American. If you live here and love this country nothing should come before America!

 

[gaparicio]

Wait wait, see, your stereotyping. People mention illegal immigration and you automatically assume they're talking about mexicans. Your profiling yourself. And why do you get so offended when people say illegals should go back? Thats the whole stigma here. They are ILLEGAL. That means they're not supposed to be here. As for any of us wanting a minimum wage job....*raises hand*

I only get offended when people treat them as if they weren't people. Maybe they shouldn't be here but we still need to treat them as human beings.

Of course you would want a minimum wage job, your 16. Imagine being 30 and picking apples or oranges for a few bucks an hour?

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I remember seeing an article or newscast or something after that whole plan to increase border patrol a few months ago. They did research and figured out that if we did not have illegals in this country, strawberries would be $32/pack. Just thought that was a fun fact. Lol, maybe someone can help me out with what news paper/channel it was?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

For me, a Californian, there is a H-U-G-E difference in legal immigration and illegal aliens. Heck, my great-grandparents immigrated here to the USA just like the majority of other Americans. They wanted to become citizens and live the lifestyle we all have, full of opportunity and promise. The difference is, that they came here legally... through the proper channels.

I am not racist in any way. My own mother was half Native American. My two children are half Mexican. My step-mom is Vietnamese. I love the cultural and ethnic diversity we have here in California!

Here in our State, we have a tremendous problem with illegal aliens... the majority of whom are from Mexico. We also have a LOT of legal immigrants from there, too. They work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the this Country's social and economic strength... just like the rest of us.

The problem here is with people from other countries that are here illegally. They may work hard, but they do NOT pay taxes. Their children attend our public schools for free, because the rest of the State pays taxes to educate them. They do not carry automobile insurance, and California has one of the highest rates for insurance in the country. One of the reasons is we have one of the highest percentages of uninsured motorist losses.

Californians pay incredible amounts for medical care... on average greater than 23% than the rest of the country. One of the biggest factors (other than greedy pharmaceutical and health insurance companies) is the astronomical losses our hospitals take each year from unpaid medical bills from illegal aliens who provide fraudulent information when admitted.

California schools are among the lowest in student test scores in the Nation. Our economy is in financial distress and educational benefits keep getting cut because the test scores are so low, and the number one reason is the tremendous multitudes of children from illegal aliens that do not speak English in our schools. If they don't speak, read, or write English they are doomed to fail these scores... along with every child in the State because our President created the "No Child Left Behind" program bases how much money the schools get on their overall test scores.

Americans in this State are getting fired because they don't speak Spanish. Teachers, bank employees, insurance adjusters, nurses, and others who work for the public are now unemployed after years of service because they cannot understand these 'immigrants' who refuse to even try to learn to speak the language of this Nation.

In California, it is illegal to ask people if they are here legally! The illegal aliens actually have just about the same rights as American citizens. The police cannot stop, question, or arrest illegals because they could get sued for it. Imagine... the Police Department (which is funded by taxpayers) getting sued in the courts (also funded by tax dollars) and having to award an illegal alien hundreds of thousands of tax dollars for infringing on their rights. Hmmm... I always though having the rights of a citizen was a privilege for citizens! LOL!

I could go on and on with the reasons illegal aliens are not the same as immigrants. It has nothing to do with crime rates. It has nothing to do with what your family surname is. It has EVERYTHING to do with our national safety & security, economy, and rights as Americans.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

For me, a Californian, there is a H-U-G-E difference in legal immigration and illegal aliens. Heck, my great-grandparents immigrated here to the USA just like the majority of other Americans. They wanted to become citizens and live the lifestyle we all have, full of opportunity and promise. The difference is, that they came here legally... through the proper channels.

I am not racist in any way. My own mother was half Native American. My two children are half Mexican. My step-mom is Vietnamese. I love the cultural and ethnic diversity we have here in California!

Here in our State, we have a tremendous problem with illegal aliens... the majority of whom are from Mexico. We also have a LOT of legal immigrants from there, too. They work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the this Country's social and economic strength... just like the rest of us.

The problem here is with people from other countries that are here illegally. They may work hard, but they do NOT pay taxes. Their children attend our public schools for free, because the rest of the State pays taxes to educate them. They do not carry automobile insurance, and California has one of the highest rates for insurance in the country. One of the reasons is we have one of the highest percentages of uninsured motorist losses.

Californians pay incredible amounts for medical care... on average greater than 23% than the rest of the country. One of the biggest factors (other than greedy pharmaceutical and health insurance companies) is the astronomical losses our hospitals take each year from unpaid medical bills from illegal aliens who provide fraudulent information when admitted.

California schools are among the lowest in student test scores in the Nation. Our economy is in financial distress and educational benefits keep getting cut because the test scores are so low, and the number one reason is the tremendous multitudes of children from illegal aliens that do not speak English in our schools. If they don't speak, read, or write English they are doomed to fail these scores... along with every child in the State because our President created the "No Child Left Behind" program bases how much money the schools get on their overall test scores.

Americans in this State are getting fired because they don't speak Spanish. Teachers, bank employees, insurance adjusters, nurses, and others who work for the public are now unemployed after years of service because they cannot understand these 'immigrants' who refuse to even try to learn to speak the language of this Nation.

In California, it is illegal to ask people if they are here legally! The illegal aliens actually have just about the same rights as American citizens. The police cannot stop, question, or arrest illegals because they could get sued for it. Imagine... the Police Department (which is funded by taxpayers) getting sued in the courts (also funded by tax dollars) and having to award an illegal alien hundreds of thousands of tax dollars of infringing on their rights. Hmmm... I always though having the rights of a citizen was a privilege for citizens! LOL!

I could go on and on with the reasons illegal aliens are not the same as immigrants. It has nothing to do with crime rates. It has nothing to do with what your family surname is. It has EVERYTHING to do with our national safety & security, economy, and rights as Americans.

BINGO

 

[gaparicio]

I'm sorry you ar being offended but can you point out something I said that isn't true? I hope you see that the problem isn't being or ever going to get solved the way things are going. It only makes it worse for the rest of us. It reminds me of when I saved this guy from drowning. I swam up to him and told him to relax while I took him back to shore (this was in texas). He didn't speak English so he didn't understand me. When I tried to hook him to pull him to shore he turned on me. He started dunking me and I almost drowned myself. I had to punch him in the face several times to get him to stop.

You're right I don't want their jobs. My family worked hard and I worked harder to get me to where I don't have to work three minimum wage jobs to get by. There are however more than enough other people that will gladly be poor in Amerca than live in the Hell hole they came from.

Gregg what do you mean by your last paragraph. Global warming is from pollution. Dwindling rainforest are part of global warming. Air pollution and conservation these are all the same topics and they all are ruled and governed by money and politics. When companies move their plants to third world countries it isn't to strengthen the global economy. They can move in and exploit the people. They also can pollute the land and all they have to do is grease some palms. Look at what's happening to China and all the coal they burn. You need to look at the bigger picture and not just the well being of a select few.

The thing that bothered me the most about your post is that your Mexican American. If you live here and love this country nothing should come before America!

I never said you weren't right. You do have a valid point in some ways. I also believe you see this topic as more of a political thing. I honestly don't know politics so I really can't speak on it.

I think the reason why you feel that Mexico is a hell hole is because of the economy (again political reasons). Most people visit the touristy places like Cancun and Acapulco where there is a McDonalds or a KFC nearby. That is nowhere near what other more authentic places can offer that aren't tourist attractions.

Me being Mexican American has nothing to do with my feelings toward America. I never said anything bad about the US. My parents were born in Mexico so I don't think it would be right for me to bash their country.

Marcia, I agree with everything that you said. I work in a school that are predominantly mexican american as well as immigrants. I get upset when I find out I have a 7th grade boy that has been in this country for 10 years and STILL doesn't know english. We all have a right to be upset but it's how we express it that might offend people, myself included. The way you worded your thread was exemplary without offense.

Ultimately that is what its boiled down to for me. Argue about the issue but please be careful how you say things. I have a thick skin so I'm not really upset at anyone.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Ultimately that is what its boiled down to for me. Argue about the issue but please be careful how you say things. I have a thick skin so I'm not really upset at anyone.

You eat a fricken cow head on a plate... of course you have thick skin haha

 

[gaparicio]

ROFL

 

[BalloonzForU]

You eat a fricken cow head on a plate... of course you have thick skin haha

LMFAO!!!!

 

[Brian O]

Yes Gregg I do see this as a political thing. The republicans want us all to be dumb and poor. That way they can work you harder, longer, and control you easier. Which is why they want bad schooling for our children, and to break labor unions/lower wages for us. The easiest way to accomplish all of this is by using the mexican people. They are the tool in this plan.

I wasn't calling mexico a hell hole. I was refering to some of the other poor countries.

If you think mexico is so bad that they have right to come here illegally and take advantage of us why do you defend the country? The reason it is not a great country in my opinion is that it is run by a corrupt goverment. Do you remember the special on tv when they asked the cheif of police in mexico if his border patrol officers take bribes and shakedown tourists? He didn't even try to lie. He flat out said yes.

What I was getting at with the mexican american comment is why are you mexican? You are american or do you have dual citizenship?

I spent six years in the army earning my freedom. One of which is the freedom of speech. If I offend someone too bad. I am not singling out any one person. Just trying to shed some light on a mojor problem which we all need to fix.

 

[The NY Gecko]

I don't care how you would like to word it, or how you think it might be if they're weren't here, in regards to prices. The basic point still stands. They are just not supposed to be here. I don't care who comes to this country. They just have to get in the way theyre meant to. Not by any other means.

 

[Lyndsey]

For me, a Californian, there is a H-U-G-E difference in legal immigration and illegal aliens. Heck, my great-grandparents immigrated here to the USA just like the majority of other Americans. They wanted to become citizens and live the lifestyle we all have, full of opportunity and promise. The difference is, that they came here legally... through the proper channels.

I am not racist in any way. My own mother was half Native American. My two children are half Mexican. My step-mom is Vietnamese. I love the cultural and ethnic diversity we have here in California!

Here in our State, we have a tremendous problem with illegal aliens... the majority of whom are from Mexico. We also have a LOT of legal immigrants from there, too. They work hard, pay taxes, and contribute to the this Country's social and economic strength... just like the rest of us.

The problem here is with people from other countries that are here illegally. They may work hard, but they do NOT pay taxes. Their children attend our public schools for free, because the rest of the State pays taxes to educate them. They do not carry automobile insurance, and California has one of the highest rates for insurance in the country. One of the reasons is we have one of the highest percentages of uninsured motorist losses.

Californians pay incredible amounts for medical care... on average greater than 23% than the rest of the country. One of the biggest factors (other than greedy pharmaceutical and health insurance companies) is the astronomical losses our hospitals take each year from unpaid medical bills from illegal aliens who provide fraudulent information when admitted.

California schools are among the lowest in student test scores in the Nation. Our economy is in financial distress and educational benefits keep getting cut because the test scores are so low, and the number one reason is the tremendous multitudes of children from illegal aliens that do not speak English in our schools. If they don't speak, read, or write English they are doomed to fail these scores... along with every child in the State because our President created the "No Child Left Behind" program bases how much money the schools get on their overall test scores.

Americans in this State are getting fired because they don't speak Spanish. Teachers, bank employees, insurance adjusters, nurses, and others who work for the public are now unemployed after years of service because they cannot understand these 'immigrants' who refuse to even try to learn to speak the language of this Nation.

In California, it is illegal to ask people if they are here legally! The illegal aliens actually have just about the same rights as American citizens. The police cannot stop, question, or arrest illegals because they could get sued for it. Imagine... the Police Department (which is funded by taxpayers) getting sued in the courts (also funded by tax dollars) and having to award an illegal alien hundreds of thousands of tax dollars of infringing on their rights. Hmmm... I always though having the rights of a citizen was a privilege for citizens! LOL!

I could go on and on with the reasons illegal aliens are not the same as immigrants. It has nothing to do with crime rates. It has nothing to do with what your family surname is. It has EVERYTHING to do with our national safety & security, economy, and rights as Americans.

ROCK ON SISTER!!


Know what makes me really mad? When you have to "Press 1 for English"

WTF? No, I shouldnt have to press 1 for english. It should be press 1 for spanish

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

The basic point still stands. They are just not supposed to be here.

Exactly!

 

[PrototypeGeckos]

Exactly!

Wow, this is an etertaining thread to read. :main_laugh: I am all for anyone (who is willing to do it legally) to chase the "american dream", whether that be Mexicans, Cubans or anyone else. But it has to be done legally or they need to be sent back where they came from, wherever that maybe. I am married and we have one 4 year old little girl. We would give anything to be able to have a second child, we had health insurance but the monthly premium kept going up so much we could no longer afford it, and the plan didn't even include maternity. There is no other forms of help out there for us because we are told we make too much money combined to be approved for anykind of assistance. But you can take someone who came to this country illegally and they can come here and spit our 5, 6 or 7 kids and dont have to pay a dime, it is paid for by us, thats urks (sp?) me a little. We just need a little help with all the hospital bills that would be coming our way with having a child, we can support our child as far as feeding, doctors etc. But we can't do that because we "make too much money". I am not even sure how much the illegals have to pay for the raising of their child, probably not much if it is anything like having a child. That is what upsets me about the whole thing, we just want to have our second and I am sure last child but can't, while the illegal immigrants (and I don't care where they are from) are getting their "american dream" for free. Sorry for all the rambling, I just read the thread for so long and had this on my mind the whole time, and I had to let it out.

 

[marula]

i think illegal people are just illegal people...is hard to call them "mexicans" "cubans" "africans" "italians" "americans" (yes, "americans"..we have in italy a tooooon of americans that caming in my country and don't pay taxes, thet don't have visa because they are americans and nobady can do nothing agaist them)
is a way of life..i presonally came here with a 10 years visa..because the way that i choice is a legal way.
you guys here in the south states of USA have some big problems with illegals..same of us in italy with north africa people or bosnia and albania people..
there is only one thing: at this world there are bad people and good people....you can found some of good people in illegals and some bad people in legals cityzen...
i presonally have more than 100 geckos because is more simple love animals than people :main_laugh: :main_laugh: