Today's walkout....

[OK!]

There are a few things I don't understand:
~ On the news last night, they talked to a few people who are planning to protest. They were all saying how much they want to live in America, so my first question is: why don't they go about gaining citizenship legally?
~ Many of the people they showed own their own businesses. How is this possible?
~ There was another report I heard yesterday about how illegals can't get a driver's license, yet they own cars and those cars are registered. Why is this being allowed to happen?

I'm not against people who want a better life, but with the state of the world today and the number of people who hate to U.S., we can't just allow anyone to walk across our borders and take up residence.

I agree 1000%, kelleigh. It seems to me that (in a nutshell), it's a matter of legality vs. illegality. If something's illegal, don't do it. I don't really see too much gray area there. If you want to live and work in this country and benefit from all it has to offer, then you follow the same channels that many--if not most--of our ancestors did when they came to the U.S. and established legal residence here.

 

[Froggyswife]

I will not know till my husband gets home from work. I am laid up this morning with a bad back (think I pulled something out of whack) so I will be laying here all day trying to get it to feel better. Our schools did not close dd went to school this morning. Our town is so small I don't think it will be that much of a big deal. From what I see from the posts on this thread the concensus is that it will be a flop.

 

[ntburns22]

Well I went into town around 10 this morning.There was about 75 people marching down the street with signs and flags. So I figured I would drive around to see if the Mexican stores and restuarant was open and they were. That is my update from small town Ohio.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

There is no way for most of them to come here legally. We don't have any system set up for that. That's why the come illegally.

Our immigration system is broken, we and the government have ignored it for years, and now it's coming back to bite us. If we passed sensible reform, we wouldn't have this mess.

I believe that that is what the INS is for and how ESL got it's start and a host of other agencies---The ways to get here legally are available but they want the instant gratification same goes for the basis of the rallies---to become citizens just because they're already here---I say no--My great grandfather came from Ireland twice-the first time he was denied entry at Ellis Island the second time he tried he spent 7 months at Ellis before he was allowed entry---SO why isn't what was good for our ancestors good for any other person seeking to come here??---Our ancestors knew what it meant to become an American citizen and worked hard to make it happen so I say the same goes==If you truly want to be a citizen work to get it just don't expect it to be handed to you!!

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

This is the most ridiculious protest I have heard of. Protesting the treatment of ILLEGAL immigrants is absurd! If you want to come to this country to seek employment and live the American Dream than you better do it the right way. I have no sympathy for anyone working here illegally. When the Mexican's in my area come here and lower the standards for Americans by accepting low wages I have a problem with that. I choose not to have all my family members living under one roof pooling our money together to make a house payment. The only good that could come out of this protest is to let American's see that we should not let companies pay anyone low wages. We should make companies accountable. When companies get away with letting illegals work below minimum wage that sets the standards for more illegals. I also think if they want to protest go to Mexico and protest that country. That is where the problem lies. They can't take care of their own people so we have to do it. Same old story just a different twist.

 

[OhMari]

Milwaukee WI is having another Protest March. When the first one happend 5 weeks ago, it shocked a lot of people that had no clue what was happening. I think the protest had it's purpose 5 weeks ago, but not again.

 

[happybratpack]

We're in the construction industry. 5 of out 6 crews were no shows today, the concrete plants are shut down and we can't get equipment moved. So quite an impact for us.

(Dallas/Ft. Worth area)

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I also think if they want to protest go to Mexico and protest that country. That is where the problem lies. They can't take care of their own people so we have to do it. Same old story just a different twist.

If they went to Mexico to protest most likely the Federalies would have a torturous ball with all the protestors. It's amazing what goes on in a country just to the south of us, that shares a border and we do nothing, yet we invade Iraq. Mexico is more of a threat to this country due to the economics.

 

[mrsltg]

Nothing doing in DC. I wondered, based on a few people I see at various places, if there would be an impact. All the usuals were at work today. I think the protestors are shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[Honu]

There was almost no traffic on my way into Silicon Valley this morning and probably a third of my (legal resident) staff called in sick in support. So it is impacting here. Our office will also not be cleaned tonight, but the crew volunteered to pull a double shift and come in tomorrow morning.

 

[Deb in IA]

Not much here in this college town . . . I think there are two rallies, one student-led, and other community-based.

State-wide, I heard that Tyson and Cargill are closing down for today, and one of them is doing a modified work week (Tuesday through Saturday).

 

[lecach]

We went out to a mexican restaurant for lunch. It was packed. We called first because we werent sure if they would be open or not. So far I cant tell that anything is going on here.

 

[Froggyswife]

If they went to Mexico to protest most likely the Federalies would have a torturous ball with all the protestors. It's amazing what goes on in a country just to the south of us, that shares a border and we do nothing, yet we invade Iraq. Mexico is more of a threat to this country due to the economics.

I think it's pretty ironic that all these countries are always saying how much they hate americans and all that stuff but yet want to come here to live (and usually grip about how they still hate americans) but yet anytime their countries are in trouble what do they do come whining to america to give them a handout. I don't see any other countries helping us get the gulf coast cleaned up and rebuilt.

As for national defense I think if we didn't have most of our men over in iraq and afganistan and other countries we wouldn't have to worry so much about national defense. Or the patrolling of our borders for that matter.

Ok off my soap box putting on the firesuit.

 

[eowensby]

I just talked to DH who teaches 5th grade...6 of his 22 kids didn't show up today due to the walkout/boycott.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I think it's pretty ironic that all these countries are always saying how much they hate americans and all that stuff but yet want to come here to live (and usually grip about how they still hate americans) but yet anytime their countries are in trouble what do they do come whining to america to give them a handout. I don't see any other countries helping us get the gulf coast cleaned up and rebuilt.

As for national defense I think if we didn't have most of our men over in iraq and afganistan and other countries we wouldn't have to worry so much about national defense. Or the patrolling of our borders for that matter.

Ok off my soap box putting on the firesuit.

It is protocol for the USA to turn down assistance from other countries during times of crisis. However, I do believe that after Hurricane Katrina assistance was offered and accepted from Cananda and England.

There is a problem here, and the government has allowed it to go on for far too long. It is coming to a head, which is a good thing if handled correctly (and of course everyone has a different idea of what is the correct way). We need to shore up ALL our borders, not just the Mexican border. Let us not forget where a terrorist crossed the border. And it's not just Mexicans who are here illegally, though that is what we focus on because they are the largest group.

I am emotionally involved in all of this because I have seen the not-so-nice side of Mexico. Go out of tourist areas and see what the country is really like. Also, my grandfather immigrated here from Mexico. So that also adds to pulling of my heart strings.

I was lucky enough to be born in a great country with many opportunities. If I was born on the other side, I honestly do not know what I would do. The legal channels are quite difficult to navigate, especially if one is not well educated.

Again, I blame the government for getting us to this point, something should have been done quite some time ago instead of turning a blind eye to it all.

 

[Aidensmom]

Organizers of a rally here had said they expected about 20,000 participants. The rally started about an hour and a half ago, and the news report I just read said that there were no more than a couple of thousand protestors.

 

[Froggyswife]

Yes Canada and England are are best allies. Didn't know about their help but doesn't surprise me they are helping thanks for the info Miss Jasmine makes me feel a little better.

 

[Alice's Mom]

I work the late shift today so I am not going to see if there is a difference in my traffic, but my Mom called and said that she felt alone on the freeway, and if you know the 5 freeway in the morning thats virtually impossible! She said there wasn't a line at the bakery and only a few employees to begin with.

I think it's pretty ironic that all these countries are always saying how much they hate americans and all that stuff but yet want to come here to live (and usually grip about how they still hate americans) but yet anytime their countries are in trouble what do they do come whining to america to give them a handout. I don't see any other countries helping us get the gulf coast cleaned up and rebuilt.

As for national defense I think if we didn't have most of our men over in iraq and afganistan and other countries we wouldn't have to worry so much about national defense. Or the patrolling of our borders for that matter.

Ok off my soap box putting on the firesuit.

no flames, but many countries south of our border including Mexico did offer aid after Katrina hit. Even Venezuela, who really hates us offered aid.

US is known to not ask for and not accept aid normally, in the case of Katrina, we did.

Ultimately I understand why people want to come to our country, but I wish it were legally. I realize there are faults in our system that need to be addressed and I hope that out government can make it a priority because we should fix our problems at home.

I guess ultimately I am angered by the waving of the Mexican Flag and the burning of the US Flag in these protests. This conveys such a negative for me, takes away any sympathy I may have had.

 

[ChuckB]

no help from England or Canada here that I am aware of, most of the cleanup here is nieghbor helping nieghbor, but as far as help here that is another thread .... a friend of mine told his workers if they didnt show today dont come back, I just got off the phone with him, he is now short 8 employees, he is on a qouta, has to make production everyday, they didnt show so now they are unemployeed, cant say that I blame though, he told all of them up front to keep the contract they had to show up and work, if they didnt he didnt need them, and he pays very well, as far as I know it has had no affect here ......

 

[T1130]

:

This is the most ridiculious protest I have heard of. Protesting the treatment of ILLEGAL immigrants is absurd! If you want to come to this country to seek employment and live the American Dream than you better do it the right way. I have no sympathy for anyone working here illegally. When the Mexican's in my area come here and lower the standards for Americans by accepting low wages I have a problem with that. I choose not to have all my family members living under one roof pooling our money together to make a house payment. The only good that could come out of this protest is to let American's see that we should not let companies pay anyone low wages. We should make companies accountable. When companies get away with letting illegals work below minimum wage that sets the standards for more illegals. I also think if they want to protest go to Mexico and protest that country. That is where the problem lies. They can't take care of their own people so we have to do it. Same old story just a different twist.