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Throughout the week of March 2, NBC Nightly News will be taking a look at issues facing Hispanic Americans in a new series, one that will include reports on efforts to capitalize on the rapid growth of the Hispanic population; health issues among the Hispanic community; challenges surrounding education; and the struggle first generation immigrant families are facing in the current economic crisis.
Telemundo will simultaneously air several segments in Spanish. We hope you'll watch and weigh in!
I really, really take except to the name of this series and alleged concept of it. If it is about Hispanic AMERICANS, fine. But limit it to only those citizens and legal immigrants. I DO NOT want illegal aliens lumped as "Americans". This would be wrong and yellow journalism.
I will be closely watching this series and see if this is true to the name or a slanted attempt at selling illegal aliens being imbued with automatic citizenship by their illegal entrance into a country they did not respect the laws of in forcing their way into and claiming jobs and healthcare they had no right to.
#1 - Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:15 AM ESTHOLA! Whether you like it or not...the Hispanic/Latino will be a majority in USA. You can complain, be a xenophobe, biggot, racist, nacionalist all you want the fact remaines. So why dont you embrace and assimilate to what eventually will be. The shades are being slowly drawn; the room is getting a little darker...
thelove16
Sometimes such a rosy picture is painted that nothing is ever said or mentioned about the dark side of this entire affair. We're losing our capacity free speech because we're labeled as racist or haters if we dare to discuss the negative impact and we're dismissed and minimized by being told, "just get over it and assimilate."
Here's a dark side brought to me courtesy of pandering to and allowing an ethnic group to receive bilingual education in the name of multiculturalism. Two amnesties and unchecked immigration levels later I find that I no longer have fair access to employment IN MY HOMETOWN. That, my friends, is an unparalled national disgrace. I had an interview with AMEX (3 miles from my house, mind you) and it was nearly impossible to understand the interviewer because of her heavy accent.
D Labi, I agree with you...
I have a sinking feeling that we, the citizens of the United States, with the help of NBC News and others, are being set up by our government to be in the mindset of giving citizenship to the poor, hardworking, estimated 12 million illegals and their extended families in our country now. And if we, the average American citizen, doesn't scream from the rooftops that is not what we want, it will happen! Call your elected officials, join Numbers USA, demand that e-verify be made into law. Ask any business you do business with, if they hire only legal American workers. Refuse to do businesss with any others.
Blah, blah, blah...I get it...we all come from immigrants...however, at what point do we say enough is enough? (Go to youtube and see the gumball video...mindblowing...watch the whole thing). We barely enforce our exisitng immigration laws and, in fact, our government bends over backwards to help those that break our laws when they get here. Just this past weekend our (taxpayer supported) Chemeketa Community College hosted a conference with all the big name Hispanic organizations there to 'help' the lowly immigrant get what they need. Interesting! If an immigrant is here legally they already know how to get the help they need and have the proper paperwork to get it.
I also agree with another comment...in the past, immigrants came to our country to become American citizens, NOT to force American citizens to bow down to their culture. The comment, 'just wait, soon we'll be the majority' is really rather chilling...no word about being an American or what it means....I think the mindset is to take over! Where is that sentiment in your story? I don't recall the Veitnamese, Cambodians, etc. which came in droves after the Viet Nam war being so needy or demading. But, recently as illegals paraded in our streets, waving their country's flags and DEMANDING rights, I wanted to scream...this is what you have done to our community:
Our nieghborhood elmentary school is now almost all Hispanic..all signs are in Spanish...WHY? Aren't they there to learn English? When my children attended that school (which was on the modified calendar), we had a HUGE clelebration for Cinco de Mayo. However, when the 4th of July came, we were told that we could NOT celebrate because it was insensitive to our Hispanic population...WHAT?
Our High School, which also sponsors programs for illegals, told my son, who was editor of the school paper, that he was NOT allowed to publish a well balanced article about the impact of illegal immigrant children on the school district's budget, at a time when our budget was a mess...and is in even worse shape now. Shhh...don't speak of it. School districts get lots of money from the Feds for teaching illegals.
Our grocery stores, discount stores and home improvement stores fall all over themselves to pander to the Hispanic population. I feel, as an American citizen, I have little or no value to my country...except as an open checkbook. Very motivational! And by the way...those 'signs' in Spanish...how hard is it to figure out "Monitor" or "Monitoro" or "Office" or "Officina"...give me a break!
Part of the housing crisis we are experiencing now is due to unscrupulous lenders taking advantage of illegals and selling them houses they could not afford (and had no business buying in the first place). Do you have any idea what that has done to some of the beautiful neighborhoods in our area? Five families crammed into one 3 bedroom home, cars parked on the front lawn, garbage everywhere. Just lovely for those of us that worked hard to save enough money to build a home in a nice neighborhood. And, we, the taxpayer are paying to bail them out....so they can stay put. Are you covering that in your story Brian?
Our prisons are disproportionately occupied by illegal Hispanic drug dealers, rapists and murderers...why isn't that in your story?
At the very least, be honest in your story and reveal how many laws an illegal must break to get work? And, to address another comment, many illegal workers send their money out of the country, to their families...how does that help our economy? Why should we feel bad about not wanting illegals in our country? Why do they feel they have the right to demand 'immigration reform'? Why can't they play by the rules like everyone else? If they have the power to organize, march, form organizations with great power then why don't they go back to their home country and fix IT?!
I can't agree more.....
The transient (Illegal) worker who comes here to work at the US wage rate is generally not intending to become a US American. They see themselves as Americans already since they mostly are coming from North America or Central America. As a temporary (many (most?) see coming here as a temporary situation) they have little incentive to learn English and don't care to be assimilated into our culture since they'll be returning to their country of origin as soon as their bankroll reaches some idealized point... which neveer seems to happen... many maintain homes and families in their original home and while here start a second family which eventually seems to tie them here.
Education is not a high point for many of them or their families... note the declining educational systems where there are high numbers of immigrant population (specifically of Latin origin)... not that important since they and their families will "soon" be returning to country of origin... where education just isn't a popular ambition. Whatever they're earning and the standard of life they find themselves in here, it's likely to be better than what they would be having in their country of origin.
Remember also, maintaining a bilingual educational system has resulted in the continuation of a 3rd class citizen population in a 1st world US of A which keeps a handy supply of low cost workers available... earning in many cases, cash (under the table) tax free earnings and with a wholesome healthcare system and system of social services which is now readily available to them. Even free and/or low cost education for those who chose to further (ab)use our system.
:)
In down times, Hispanic market is booming
Nation’s largest minority commands attention of businesses, institutions
By Timothy Sun and Alex Johnson
Reporters
NBC News and msnbc.com
updated 5:19 a.m. CT, Wed., March. 4, 2009
With more than 46 million people, Nuevo Hispania is the 27th-largest nation on Earth and the fourth largest in the Western Hemisphere. Its residents wield $1 trillion of buying power in the marketplace. Even as the rest of the economy contracts in the global recession, Nuevo Hispania remains a thriving, even booming, market that’s expected to grow by 48 percent in the next four years.
And it’s not even a real country.
The imaginary “Nuevo Hispania” is actually a substantial segment of the U.S. population. Hispanics now account for more than 15 percent of the U.S. populace as the nation’s largest minority group. And while other demographic sectors are growing only incrementally, the : The Census Bureau projects that 30 percent of Americans will be of Hispanic and Latino by 2050.
The Hispanic market’s growing clout comes even as the recession takes a harsh toll on Latino workers. The elimination of tens of thousands of construction jobs has hit the sector particularly hard, sending the national unemployment rate for Latino males to 11 percent.
For decades, businesses and cultural institutions could afford to ignore the Hispanic market. Now, they are chasing it aggressively, because that’s where the money is.
That poses a big challenge. Underrepresented for decades in U.S. commerce and media, Hispanic Americans long ago developed their own commercial, cultural and media channels. And that means companies and institutions can’t just throw open the doors and expect Hispanics to come in.
Those companies and institutions must go to the customer.
“For companies to grow in the coming years, it is critical to understand how to reach and connect with these consumers,” said Reinaldo Padua, assistant vice president for Hispanic marketing for Coca-Cola North America.
‘I was actually scared, like most Hispanics’
More than a third of the Hispanic population is younger than 18. For the Boy Scouts of America, that’s “a huge opportunity,” said Robert J. Mazzuca, the organization’s chief Scout executive.
“There’s a lot at stake,” Mazzuca said. “We’re not fulfilling our mission as an organization if we don’t see this incredibly rapidly growing and dynamic part of our population and do everything we can to reach out to them.”
To penetrate the cultural divides that have kept Hispanics from joining their ranks, the Scouts reached out to Hispanic Communications Network, a media company based in Washington that specializes in engaging the Hispanic community.
Together with HCN, the Scouts are developing pilot programs in six cities to reach the Hispanic market. There will be radio and TV spots, bilingual and bicultural staff representatives, local community leaders advocating on their behalf — and soccer.
“One of our pilot programs over ... recent years has been Scouting in soccer, using the attraction of the soccer game to gather Hispanic families around,” Mazzuca said. The sport is a common interest that draws in families while addressing the issues of individual character development that are at the heart of the Boy Scout experience.
Rosa Gonzalez of Irving, Texas, whose son, Jonathan, is in his first year with the Cub Scouts, said she was skeptical at first.
“I was not too convinced," she said. "I was actually scared, like most Hispanics. We tend to hold onto our kids even when they’re older.”
But after being reassured by the local Latino Cubmaster, Gonzalez decided to let Jonathan join.
“They teach them respect, responsibility and, you know, they’re more self-confident in their decisions,” she said. “I noticed that in my son, and I’m very happy.”
Mazzuca hopes to replicate that success across the organization.
“We have approximately 100,000 Latino scouts in our universal scouting,” he said. “We want to double that by the end of 2010
INDUCTIVE REASONING is the conclusions at which humans arrive after observing a number of situations. It is the way humans form ideas about the things they observe—that is to say, the way humans form hypotheses, but it is NOT the way humans PROVE ideas. Because inductive reasoning is not proof, it is the means by which people and things are stereotyped. It is this tool—inductive reasoning—that is used by the television network NBC to advance its conclusions on the series called “We the People: the Hispanic American Experience.” In the United States, the politicizing of the word Hispanic (that historically meant white European) by the Nixon Administration in the 1970’s has (now 30 years in the manipulating) led to the greatest universal stereotyping of humans since the universal stereotyping of Jews by the Nazis; a stereotyping that in the USA is today an industry. An industry that is promoted by series like “We the People,” in which NBC promotes the erroneous clumping together of anyone originating from or having an ancestor from any Latin American country, and anyone who has a Spanish surname, regardless of race.
So much has resulted from this erroneous clumping that it would take a dissertation to properly analyze its ill effect. For purposes of this brief comment, however, I could say that one need only Google the word Hispanic to understand how much stereotyping has resulted from this disrespectful clumping. No individual clumped into this artificial group is being benefited because the individuals being clumped together are not fungible so their unique concerns and unique issues are ignored. We don’t even treat this “clumping” in the same way as we treat the rest of the US population. If you are labeled Hispanic, who cares if you are white, black, Asian-Indian, Asian-Oriental or mixed; never mind if you are a Native American, or if your ancestry is not Mexican or Puerto Rican, you’re fungible, so we will clump you with everyone else.
It’s no wonder that the Portuguese argue that they want to be excluded from this political label because they will lose their proud historical and individual cultural identity if they are clumped together with all Latin Americans. An argument that is to be sure fair, and one that applies to Spain as well. It is also not a wonder that (in the US) the word “Anglo” has not suffered the same fate as has the word “Hispanic.” For example, when has an African-American or an Asian-American, or a Native American, been described as an Anglo? It is telling indeed, that in the US, the word “Anglo” is protected and continues to have its original meaning—white European—while the word “Hispanic” has been mutilated and turned into a political label that is not recognizably close to its historical meaning. Does it honor diversity to mutilate the historical definition of the word "Hispanic" and, therefore, disrespect the heritage of the Spanish while all along protecting the historical definition of the word "Anglo" and, accordingly, respect the heritage of the English? I think not.
#2 - Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:20 PM ESTI will watch and see what are the specific speaking points.
The fact that I live in North Texas and only speak English has not helped me over the past few years. I am in Medical Sales and it amazes me when I go South of Waco when I ask for a Physician that is expecting me for a meeting the response I recieve.
Usually since I don't speak Spanish, two things happen.
1) The front office pretends like I don't officially have a meeting , and
2) I get a pronunciation lesson in the "correct " linguistics of Rodriguez or Ramirez etc.
I am a born and bred Texan with a severe country boy accent, so I do the best I can.
Having achieved a college degree and excellent success in business, I really don't think that the exact linguistic pronunciation from a front office person is what I need.
Fortunately for me, the Physicians respect my business acumen and we reach an agreement good for business.
It is a goal of mine to speak Spanish fluently , but until that point it would be nice to get respect from a population that chooses to make Spanish their first language.
#3 - Sun Mar 1, 2009 5:15 PM ESTYou could not pay me enough money to watch this racist garbage! NBC trying to compete with CNN on their black america series? Boycott NBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#4 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 12:21 PM ESTwhy don't you concentrate on deporting the illegals instead of giving them everything they need out of my pockets, they are mostly here illegally what part of illegal do you not understand ?? These people will drain our economy and our pocketbooks if we continue to let them pour into this country, DEPORT THEM you know if I could go to mexico and get free health care , free, education, and subsidised food and shelter I would go there, thats what we do on the taxpayers dime, and california is now paying the piper for years of stupidity, those people will be luckey to even have a state government once the mexicans have bankrupted them.
#5 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 4:55 PM ESTHitler expressed similar views about the Jews.
Legals can stay.....illegals must go. And it's not a question of who they are ...but how many illegals there are. I have the utmost respect for Hispanic Americans, and I think that Hispanic Americans who are citizens or or are in our country legally support a tough line against those illegals who want to cut in line, don't play by the rules and arrogantly flaunt our laws.
My letter to President Obama:
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
ICE recently conducted their first work site enforcement raid of your administration. Please make sure that these pro-American worker activities continue.
I know that certain special interest groups are putting immense pressure on your administration to limit, or even halt, ICE's work site enforcement raids. Bearing this in mind, you can understand my (pleasant) surprise at ICE's recent raid at the Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Washington. Because of this raid 28 unemployed Americans will soon have a job.
I feel it is very important that ICE be allowed to continue these work site raids. There are more than 11.5 million unemployed Americans and more than 7 million illegal aliens with jobs. This is clearly unacceptable. While ICE's raids will neither solve America's skyrocketing unemployment nor her illegal immigration problem, they do free up jobs for unemployed Americans.
Please make sure that ICE continues their work site enforcement raids. It is simply unconscionable to allow businesses to hire illegal aliens when there are so many unemployed Americans.
#6 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:16 PM ESTVery well stated and thank you!
Yes, I agree.... as do so many others.... I have been told by legal immigrants................. ...." Illegals are taking OUR jobs".... So after following all the immigration rules to come to the US legally, they can see that following the rules means nothing to the government...
Taxes of all Citizens are being used to provide education, medical attention , law advice, language translation, employment opportunities, and most of all Jail housing for too many illegal immigrants.
I never think of myself as an Italian American or an Irish American, etc....just an American.. yet, some people have more allegience to the country their parents came from than they do to the US. No flag should fly above our own, yet this is never covered by the national news.
The fear of being called racist is changing the way the news is covered.
Great letter..... I will send one too.
That's right. Mexican citizens are loyal ONLY to Mexico. In a perfect world that's absolutely correct; but NOT when they are illegally invading mine!
I must agree with John Tracy. Why is it we continue to let these people come into this country and give them everything? They come here and lie so they can get a job while there are 5 million american citizens out of work?
If they want to come here, they should do it legally. Also, if they want to live in this country, they should be REQUIRED BY LAW to learn english! Why should we be asked to learn spanish? Why do we have to make everything "bilingual"? No other country caters to illegals like the good ole USA. I say send them back where they came from!!
#7 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:18 PM EST<!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->
Yes I agree with you, send back those illegal immigrants, those individuals that don't speak English like Italians or Jamaicans or ANY Immigrants. Because we all know back in the 1900's there was NO illegal Immigrants, there were NO individuals that cross the border to come over here and make a better life. No Jewish people suffering from the Nazis no Asians, no nothing everyone was just Americans.
Look I agree with you to some extent. I am an American that is Hispanic and I do agree that there are illegal Immigrants stealing our jobs, because they are willing to work for half to a third of what we worked hard for. We went to college, we worked hard in our life and Yess it is unfair. We pay taxes, We do what we are told and still we get persecuted with Little pay. We have to work two to three jobs just to make a better future for our kids. Yess I agree that is Ridiculous, but when we are calling out Immigrants lets just make sure were not pointing the finger at one Culture lets point the finger at every culture, We are the Children of Immigrants, we who are in our 50's, 40's, 30's, 20's etc we all came from immigrant grandparents or parents.
You should also deport the illegal Jewish immigrants to Israel while they are at it! Isn't that what they are fighting for? The illegals ones here make a mockery of the money and blood we've poured into those ungrateful people!
To many Hispanic's will never be American enough for some and they will always be looked at as illegal. Regardless if many have been here for generations.
#8 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:26 PM ESTI have to say everyone is entitle to their own opinion. But we are all decedents of immigrants and we will always e considered to be illegal by Native American Standards.
That's right Cole and there are lots of Americans now that are part Native Americans. If Indians have any voice left at all, our majority's will should be carefully considered.
Just as I feared, the first part of the Hispanic series honors all of the illegal Latino population as fine upstanding citizens. That single American family (of Hispanic origin) is hardly an example of what exists in our country today. Why don't you have a week long series about all of the problems that have occurred, and which only get worse as this wave of illegal immigration continues. Get out of your studio and go into communities wracked by drugs, Latino gangs, prostitution, the culturally acceptable drinking, driving and killing our American citizens, the tremendous impact on our health care system, our law enforcement and schools(overcrowding, resulting in new construction at taxpayers expense). Each year when I went to the county health clinic for my flu shot, I had to wait 20 minutes or more while the illegal women with their many children were seen first. Also, you might want to use North Carolina as an example, since I resided there for many years until 2008, and look at the money that will be provided to them in the current incentive bill, and track how it will be spent. Many, if not most, of all construction jobs are held by illegals, as are most landscaping, hotel and restaurant work and many factories. You will have to investigate how many people are unemployed, and then determine if the new construction jobs will go to these unemployed Americans, or once again to illegals. In fact, if there are 500 unemployed people who are ready and able to do construction work, for example, then why not release 500 illegals, so that Americans can be put to work. Unless you live in an area which has been swarmed with this illegal population, and you see the effect that it has in your communties, you will only keep painting this glorious story of these lowest of the lowest population in their home countries (we rarely get the educated members of their populace), and by thus praising them, you do a tremendous dishonor to that terrific American family in Waukesha, and others like them. You never asked them their opinion about the illegals that are moving into Wisconsin. Maybe because there is no identifiable relationship between the two stories. Please be brave and tell the whole story. I noticed the many emails posted above here....they are all in the same vein about not raising these illegals up for praise. America is talking....please listen and act! Thanks you.
#9 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:26 PM ESTExcellent suggestion. Because anything else they write all flowery and sugar-coated is nothing but tissues of lies and nothing less than an infomercial. Sounds a bit like treason to me...when you help your country's enemies conquer it.
These are our Native or indigenous relatives of the Western Hemisphere. They just happend to speak Spanish. They are not knew to these lands as trade between those in the south and the north have taken place for centuries. It seems the Native American is always left out of the picture. Tell the real history of Turtle Island.
#10 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:29 PM ESTI agree with your comment.
The very fact that "We the people of the United States" are of legal status. Most of us work very hard, honor our legal obligations of taxation, voting etc. I can not believe that most people are closing their eyes on this horrible situation. This "illegal immigration" problem, and yes it is a huge problem, is costing us a fortune. We can no longer afford to have any people here who are not legal and paying their fair share. I work very hard in an industry that is inundated with illegal people. I try very hard to get our "poverty ridden" people jobs; these people are AMERICANS but these companies (staffing, large corporations etc) want the hispanic workers as they work cheap. Great System H2B!!! Way to go..pay attention people! Why is nothing being done about this situation. What do we have to do to get the attention of our government? ONE WORD..DEPORT!
#11 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:32 PM ESTMary,
Illegal immigration is like the illegal drug trade, in that America is its biggest customer. In fact, most drug cartels probably wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for Americas appetite for illegal narcotics. So do you blame the drugs for being drugs? No, its the people who buy the drugs that are culpable. The same goes for these illegal immigrants. They're desperate people who are only subscribing to the pursuit of happiness which is what every human being wants, not just Americans. I don't know if you read the bible but in (Luke 6:1) it says,"1One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." The moral is, when people are desperate and hungry they will break "laws" to eat. Even God looked the other way in the passage, and Jesus is saying " When men are hungry they will do whats "unlawful", but there are worse things than breaking a law to eat or feed your family. Also ask yourself, what do you put first, God or Country? If its God, he says, "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9). Maybe it can be argued that these employers who themselves break laws and are mostly responsible for illegal immigration are just being righteous. I don't believe that. They just want to make money off the product (illegal immigrants, cheap labor). As long as employers give these desperate hungry people jobs, they'll keep coming. Don't blame the hungry immigrant! Hes just hungry and looking for opportunities. Go after the source. The American employer!!
How about the "Portuguese American Experience?" or any other culture? I myself am an immigrant and it's sad how America only focuses on the Hispanic culture. My parents came to this country and they too struggled like no other culture or race. Why don't the people also talk about the portuguese immigrants that are in the state of Mass., Rhode Island and New Jersey as well? There's over 60% portuguese in the state of Mass. alone. They came from the Azores islands, Madeira island, Cape Verde island, Angola, Mozambique, Brazil and Portugal. We are all equal and there shouldn't be this issue at all since everyone who lives in America no matter what race are feeling the economic problems, healthcare, and education issues.
#12 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:32 PM ESTAre you illegal? That is the issue here, nothing more, nothing less. Do not make this into something that it clearly is not. That to me is insulting at this point.
Yes I am illegal and a US citizen. Read the topic...This is insulting to me and other races as well. It's just not about illegals being here.
Throughout the week of March 2, NBC Nightly News will be taking a look at issues facing Hispanic Americans in a new series, one that will include reports on efforts to capitalize on the rapid growth of the Hispanic population; health issues among the Hispanic community; challenges surrounding education; and the struggle first generation immigrant families are facing in the current economic crisis.
*legal
These people are our Native or indigenous relatives of the Western Hemisphere. They were here before the arrival of Europeans. They were colonized by the Spanish and just happen to speak the language of their colonizers. For centuries they have traveled and traded from the North to the South. This is our Turtle Island.
#13 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:35 PM ESTJust as I feared, the first part of the Hispanic series honors all of the illegal Latino population as fine upstanding citizens. That single American family (of Hispanic origin) is hardly an example of what exists in our country today. Why don't you have a week long series about all of the problems that have occurred, and which only get worse as this wave of illegal immigration continues. Get out of your studio and go into communities wracked by drugs, Latino gangs, prostitution, the culturally acceptable drinking, driving and killing our American citizens, the tremendous impact on our health care system, our law enforcement and schools(overcrowding, resulting in new construction at taxpayers expense). Each year when I went to the county health clinic for my flu shot, I had to wait 20 minutes or more while the illegal women with their many children were seen first. Also, you might want to use North Carolina as an example, since I resided there for many years until 2008, and look at the money that will be provided to them in the current incentive bill, and track how it will be spent. Many, if not most, of all construction jobs are held by illegals, as are most landscaping, hotel and restaurant work and many factories. You will have to investigate how many people are unemployed, and then determine if the new construction jobs will go to these unemployed Americans, or once again to illegals. In fact, if there are 500 unemployed people who are ready and able to do construction work, for example, then why not release 500 illegals, so that Americans can be put to work. Unless you live in an area which has been swarmed with this illegal population, and you see the effect that it has in your communties, you will only keep painting this glorious story of these lowest of the lowest population in their home countries (we rarely get the educated members of their populace), and by thus praising them, you do a tremendous dishonor to that terrific American family in Waukesha, and others like them. You never asked them their opinion about the illegals that are moving into Wisconsin. Maybe because there is no identifiable relationship between the two stories. Please be brave and tell the whole story. I noticed the many emails posted above here....they are all in the same vein about not raising these illegals up for praise. America is talking....please listen and act! Thanks you.
#14 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 7:36 PM ESTwe all came from somewhere to the united states. my spanish ancestor came from andalucia, spain and settled in lousiana/texas before some europeans came over. so, why is the slant of this segment slanted towards new arrival and/or illegals. why even call us hispanics, we are AMERICAN as apple pie. the fact that some of us speak two languages is an asset to the united states of america. we have fought and died in wars just like the rest of americans. the politicians are the ones that divide us into different numbers for statiscal and political reasons. i was happy learning english as a child in texas as my second language and now in my old age, i use it to my advantage. we all should learn more than one language since we are all in this global economy. we all need to move forward and forget about the past which includes lots of discrimination just because we were not blueyed and blonde. i could go on and on about the things and experience in my 71 years of life. i consider myself AN AMERICAN and no one is going to tell me any different.
#15 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 8:08 PM ESTI do not dislike our Americans citizens who are of Spanish heritage and are here legally. I have no problem with people speaking multiple languages, I do have a problem with people who come here illegally and want us to make their language the primary language of our country and make no attempt to learn English. I have a problem when they fly our flag up side down and put the Mexican flag above it. If you served in the Military and if you are an American you should have a problem with that as well. I think we all understand that legal immigrants are what made America great and if you want to come here legally and become an American we will welcome you with open arms. If you are here illegally, go back where you came from.
The people in my small community are so frustrated by the influx of illegals immigrants because their concerns are not heard by the local, state, or federal governments. Our schools are getting the head on hit since they must provide ESOL for the students who do not speak English. The schools are looking at dropping upper level courses for American students because the cost of teaching the illegals English is taking the available funds. Many people refuse to go to the local Wal-Mart on Sundays because only Spanish is heard in the store. We have the impression that the illegal Hispanics that are in our community do not want to assimilate; they want their customs and language to dominate.
#16 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 8:16 PM ESTThey don't want to assimilate, they just want free medical insurance, free food stamp, free housing subsidy, free utilitiy subsidy, free child care and bring their parents here so they can go onto SSIP and Medicaid and steal as much money from the taxpayer as possible.
I am in full agreement with this, It makes me mad. We fly Red, White, and Blue, here.
Perhaps the people shoud go to WalMart on Sunday. Crowd the store. Make it harder for the illegals to shop. The people can do their regular shopping - just go to Walmart on Sunday and make the illegals really uncomfortable. Yell at them to make their kids behave, tell them to speak English and so on. After a few weeks I bet there will be a lot fewer of them there on a Sunday.
look out, one of they is going after your WALMART job.
Can you speak english? If not...get out. Right? Huh? Du-uh? git er dun.
This is normal for our news media, their stories always have a spin that makes them PC. They never look at the real picture and show what is happening to this country. We have contractors who cannot compete because they hire legal employees and have workman's comp and liability insurance but are competing with other contractors who hire illegal workers. We will never stop the flow of illegals until we start slapping employers with significant fines when they hire illegals. Immigrants use to come to this country with a desire to become Americans, learn English and make a better life for themselves and future generations. Today we have illegals coming into this country and demanding things be translated into Spanish and not wanting to become an American but live in America and remain a Mexican. They want to fly the Mexican Flag above the Stars and Stripes and now our politicians are giving the children of illegals in state tuition, there are legal children that can't get into our colleges. I have focused this on Mexican illegal's but the truth is all illegals today want to live here and take advantage of the benefits and opportunities but never have allegiance to American. We are letting America become a third world country, dirty dippers in parking lots and soiled tissue on bathroom floors, is that where we want our country to go and is this what we want for our children.
#17 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 8:34 PM ESTThis is for
<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> I do not dislike our Americans citizens who are of Spanish heritage and are here legally. I have no problem with people speaking multiple languages, I do have a problem with people who come here illegally and want us to make their language the primary language of our country and make no attempt to learn English. I have a problem when they fly our flag up side down and put the Mexican flag above it. If you served in the Military and if you are an American you should have a problem with that as well. I think we all understand that legal immigrants are what made America great and if you want to come here legally and become an American we will welcome you with open arms. If you are here illegally, go back where you came from.
#18 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 8:48 PM ESTIt is difficult but what "We the People" has brought out as our newly elected President is pure hatered and racism that has been here all the time. This country was build on the sweat of illegls who by the way were the scruge of Europe. The real problem is that you are not going to be in majority but rather a minority meaning a shift of power very soon. Continue with the series and you will see the real America!
#19 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 9:11 PM ESTWho did not expect us to speak their language nor did they fly their flag over ours and I do not understand why you say this country was built on the sweat of illegals. All I would like is for people to immigrate legally and not come here illegally and have kids that are now American citizens. There is a right way to become the majority as you put it and the way it is being done is not the right way.
The immigrants that built this country were the people that came from Europe and worked in the factories and mines in the industrial revolution, not illegal mexicans. They were here legally. We need to round up and deport all 16-18 million illegals in the country. With E-Verify we can easily find US citizens when people report for work. Send any employer that hires or uses illegals to jail. We now have 280,000 illegal aliens in federal prison, 28% of the prison population. In California only 50% of hispanics graduate high school and of those that go to college only 7% graduate. They make little money, pay no taxes. use the system to bring in their parents, who qualify for Medicaid and SSIP payments. They are useless as a group unless they start to study and try to succeed instead of making babies and selling drugs and being gang members.
I don't know what kind of Hispanics have you been in touch with, I have been in this country for 14 years, learned the language, finished college degree and I have a great job!! I had worked hard for this and I know a lot of spanish people that are in high up positions, well educated and english speakers. I became a citizen after learning about people like you that don't know a thing about our culture, we legal and ilegal have to pay taxes, and guess what? ilegal people don't get to report the earnings on the taxes they paid. It is so sad to see so many ignorants that don't know the facts and just start judging without knowledge. Ilegal Inmigration they have to pay taxes when they buy food, clothes, pay rent and even when they buy houses, now tell me, don't do they help the economy?? do they get any kind of incentive/reimbursement back?? NOOO they can't, what about those that do all the jobs that "Anglos" won't do?
"Many other governmental programs actually benefit from the presence of illegal immigrants, particularly Social Security and Medicare. Both programs – intended to benefit the elderly – receive billions in tax revenue from illegal immigrants. Unlike normal taxpayers, however, illegal immigrants will never be able to recollect their benefits later on down the line, thus providing a windfall"
"Ilegal inmigrants work low-paying, physically demanding jobs that many Americans – though not all – would rather not do. In many cases, they do jobs that would otherwise be outsourced altogether. And in doing so, they make money for innumerable tax-paying U.S. companies and drive down the cost of goods and services for every Anglo".
In my neighborhood there are many houses with at least 12 people living there. Trashy yards, loud music, traffic around the clock. These people are in this country illegally, taking jobs from Americans. They work as subcontractors and I'm sure they dont pay taxes. If I had 11 roomates, ate beans every meal, and didn't pay taxes I could live in a better neighborhood too.
And you want to deport us. Is that what you're insinuating?
I hope you plan on reporting more then just the sunny side of latin existence in America. The fact is that we are being over run by a menace that is illegal Latin immigration. The jobs, the free healthcare, the food stamps, tax free. "We the people" are paying for it. They come here, and breed. There's your growth. It's a farce.
#20 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 9:21 PM ESTThe gangs and the violence...
People need to join a group like ALIPAC.us or Numbers usa great sites with a lot of ways to act ... by contacting government and voicing your opinion.
Everyone I talk to agrees about illegal immigration... We are not complaining about the ancestry of legal immigrants, or naturalized or born in USA citizens. We are complaining about our resources, the tax dollars we pay, being siphoned off to support illegal immigrants.
We all understand that people want a better life, and that coming to the USA seems like the way to get it. But the entire world cannot immigrate here.
The world is in dire trouble. We have overused and abused every bit of our earth... the forests, the oceans, the land, the air..... and we have overpopulated it with people. This is the biggest problem .. ...there are just too many people, and the USA cannot take in everyone.
We used to be able to send millions of dollars, (when Millions were actually Valuable... ), to other countries to help people live better lives in their own countries. The US government did this in our name, and individuals and groups did this as well.
Let's hope that we can do that again in the future. Allowing this many people into the US is limiting our ability to donate to other countries, as we are spending too much money here supporting illegal immigrants.
#21 - Mon Mar 2, 2009 11:00 PM ESTYou make many good points, Sheila. We all need to look at the global humanitarian and environmental picture. The more tax dollars we spend providing free services to illegals and their descendants, the more we are contributing to overpopulation, poverty, crime, and environmental problems in our own country. The longer we continue to supply illegals with free assistance of every sort, the stronger the demand grows. If this economic drain continues, will our nation be able to help anyone at all, either inside or outside of our borders? We are at a time in our nation's history when financial resources are stretched to the limit. If we continue to allow the influx of illegals, and furthermore, consider legalizing those who are here illegally, the burden will continue to multiply. Our nation, like "the old woman in the shoe who had so many kids, she didn't know what to do" will be exhausted and broke. Let's not get to that point!!
Our country and its people have a big heart. We are willing to help those from around the globe who come to the US seeking opportunities to create a better life for themselves and for their families. However, our government has allowed way too many privileges, programs, and opportunities to ILLEGALS for far too long. Our LEGAL immigrants and native born citizens are suffering. Why should illegal immigrants be continually REWARDED, and others be punished, in a sense, for the irresponsible and ILLEGAL actions of others who disrespect our country and its laws? By doing little to stop illegal immigration, our government is guilty of allowing it to continue. Our current policies actually encourage illegal immigration, by offering so many "freebies" to illegals that are too to pass up. Our nation is at risk of becoming unable to help ANYONE, including our many citizens who need help now more than ever. Nor will we be able to focus attention and resources to support the important global causes and suffering people around the world which, at one time, could count on the US for much-needed support in the form of a "hand up".
This is not an issue of race, but of responsibility and accountability. The US needs to be more responsible with its assets, supporting policies and programs that benefit responsible citizens, as well as those who immigrate to this country LEGALLY. It is our country's legal and moral DUTY to hold US businesses accountable whenever they break laws by hiring illegal workers. Our government has a duty to protect its legal citizens! How do we expect others to respect our nation's laws, if we are doing nothing to enforce them?
In the long-run, we are helping NO ONE and hurting EVERYONE if we do not put a stop to illegal immigration and the financial burden we're placing on ourselves as a nation. The US can only do so much. We cannot continue to single-handedly take on the burdens of other countries. We need to hold Mexico and other countries that are major sources of illegal immigrants responsible for doing more to help their own people, including cracking down on drug cartels, violence, poverty, and human smuggling operations and doing more to develop better education, jobs, and a sound economy. The US is doing so much more for the citizens of other countries, it's like offering them "incentives" to come here illegally. If we stop programs that aid illegals and tighten border security (i.e., finish building the wall along the US-Mexico border), it will help send a message to Mexico and other countries that are sources of illegal immigrants that it's time to step up and accept responsibility for improving conditions and helping to offer a better life for its citizens. Perhaps finally, the US could then have enough financial resources return to its role of helping other countries in need, including Mexico and others, in the form of a "hand up". After all, it is this kind of "hand up" assistance that builds character and strength in individuals, as well as nations, rather than allowing them to become too dependent upon others. The US has helped other nations learn to make better use of their resources, especially their very valuable, hard-working, and intelligent human resources. Instead of enabling Mexico and other poverty-stricken countries to turn their backs on their own people, hopefully the US can find ways to help them to help their own people. Then, we can all grow stronger and better together! I'm sure most would-be illegal immigrants would prefer to remain in their beloved homelands and raise their families their, if only their own governments did half as much to help them as the US does now.
Sorry this has gotten rather long. It's great to finally have a "sounding board" for thoughts I've long kept quiet. This is only the beginning! I will be sure to voice my thoughts to government officials who need to know what's going on out here!! I've realized I'm not alone in my thinking...
Maybe Brian should watch this youtube clip and then report on the hispanics in America! "We the People" have had a belly full of the hispanics in America and their racist propaganda! They are sucking this country dry and the only thing the democrats are thinking about is giving them voting rights. The hispanic community only care about themselves and how they can get ahead and take over this country. The United States is no longer a melting pot and the politicians are to blame. The hispanics out number the blacks and whites in this city and have taken over the majority of the neighborhoods. We have to deal with drugs, guns, gangs along with their loud terrible music. The majority of the buses have spanish advertisements for the city, state and federal programs. This is BS!
#22 - Tue Mar 3, 2009 8:33 AM ESTSo true...Well said.
can't agree with you more
Here is the clip!
#23 - Tue Mar 3, 2009 8:48 AM ESTThey keep deleting it!
#24 - Tue Mar 3, 2009 8:48 AM ESTThe racism shown here is truly pathetic. Why can't you discuss the illegal immigration problem without spewing such hate??? This kind of talk leads to situations such as Americans with Spanish surnames being deported to Mexico! And I wonder how many of you have really NEVER hired someone illegal to do work around your house because you knew you'd get a better deal with better results, which is why contractors hire them because he knows they are hard workers and will take lower wages. I'm not saying it's right, but people's greed for cheap labor has caused this whole mess; after all, these people wouldn't have come here if there was no work...and the majority of them do come here to work, not to feed off the government t*t, believe it or not. If it wasn't for the greed that has gripped this nation, and therefore caused the dire economic situation we are now in, people (and I mean people from places other than Latin America) would not be literally dying to get into this country. And may I remind you, the reason states such as California, Colorado, Nevada, etc. as well as major cities, have Spanish names, is because they used to be part of Mexico, so our country itself has an "Hispanic" heritage. Get over your hate already and use your brain and energy to develop solutions based on both economics and compassion rather than good-ol-boy-style racism.
#25 - Tue Mar 3, 2009 12:26 PM ESTWhat is racist about not wanting illegals here ? Hispanic is NOT a race, it is a euphism for Mexicans from Mexico or other nationalities from further down in South America such as El Salvador, etc.. Also, people from Mexico and so on are not all of Spanish/Indian ancestry. There are blond, blue eyed, red haired, green eyed, brunette, hazel eyed, etd. European descent citizens of those more southern countries.
I meant that as a reply to vernilu's post just above yours.
It isn't racism. It's that most of us Americans are tired of taking eveyone else's crap.
Buddy, you don't have a clue what 'hate' is yet. Keep up your smart-talk and we'll hand you over to the REAL haters. Not only will you be sent home, you won't be climbing out of that box to come back. That is, if they find you....that's not a threat, that is reality. Everyone of our groups has it's purpose. At least this threat of invasion might actually knit Americans together united again.
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Hey Cynthia hope you can help me, obama said that he would lobby congress to let people take monies from ther 401k to help out, he has not that i know of. A lot of people need that money," not tax payers monies" but our money my money. I had to take a lone out to stop from going bankrupt before spring now with losing 3days a mouth 3furlows days no more holiday pay no nothing, I have to pay myself back 280 dollars a mouth, i am now almost in bankruptcy again have about 2 month before it happens so who do we have to turn to for help. I do not what to pay myself back that would bring back in the house 280 a mouth and i could surive till things get better if they ever do. By paying myself back i am cutting my own throat, but if i get laid off or get fired i can cash out and get all of my money, sum how that just does not make sence. Please help if you can. What can i do to help myself. hel---------p. Robert
I hope my email went through about the story that Lisa Myers has been doing on the debit card charges since the same thing happened with my son deployed to Afghanistan. It is not a rare occurrence I believe but happens a lot. Every transition during enlistment from basic, to Stryker training to move to permanent base to Ft. Lewis and then into deployment and during deployment, there are many times where he has had no Internet banking and has to use his debit card to pay as in your story. Since the middle of July he was in deployment and limited Internet access and now in Afghanistan communication is limited. The bank Landmark in Topeka, Ks did the same thing and he had at least 10 overdraft charges for sandwiches and items costing less than $10 which they charged him overdraft charges on because they paid the large bills and then all the small ones went through. I think that it's a disgrace that the soldiers serving in war zones, deployment for 1-1/2 mo before they leave when they have to get their affairs in order with limited Internet access just isn't right. I am not on his account, he is single and this may affect single soldiers more? Please check this out. I tried to guess how far behind he was, how deep in a hole and drove 50 mi to deposit money because his military checks could never catch up. The bank was somewhat cooperative and refunded $120 this last mo but he has had similar charges as the soldier in your story. The Army gives the soldier a special debit card linked to their checking account that they must use to purchase items with. Once deployed he has no account balance to check on his receipt. It is all done blind. This is an additonal stress on the soldiers during time of deployment to war zone. Please check this out and how it is affecting military families especially single soldiers. They are going to fight and their pay is going to the banks-----------just not right! I'm so thankful that I saw the stories. I've been in the hospital over a week so watched all the pm news I had my DVR set to watch the Afghanistan situation when I got home. I don't wish to be interviewed as very ill with metastatic breast ca to bone and getting treatments every day. This could be a big story and the banks need some type of regulation regarding this issue. Thank you.
Dear Cynthia, I hope your series " WE THE PEOPLE " will take a look at what
" WE THE PEOPLE" ( by that I mean real AMERICANS, NOT ILLEGALS )really want to see happen. That would be an end to all social services that cost AMERICAN taxes to pay for. That includes: well-fare, food stamps, free medical, unemployment, education, housing, and any thing else we pay for to make sure that they can break the law, get well-fare, take our jobs, send our money to other countries, and then play the victims. What we need is a fence from Ca to TX and more deportation. There are between 15 and 23 million here from Mexico alone! That would constitute an invasion or act of war by the united nations if we did that to another country. At a time like this when there are so many millions of Americans out of work, losing our homes and not sure
when or where our next job will come from there is no way we can afford to support Mexico. Remember FREEDOM ISN'T FREE! And the last time I read the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights, it only applied to American Citizens. So why do I keep hearing about Il-legal aliens getting their " Civil Rights " violated? They have none!
Please ignore this author until she learns how to write actual articles.
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