"Day without Immigrants"

downtown, main drag Wilshire Blvd, one of most heavily traveled streets in nation, will be shut down from downtown to la brea tarpits.

on news, some people who live there are leaving for the day as know they would be blocked otherwise. restaurants and stores in area shutting. It's a big area tho and this is a small part of it. Our biz is an hour drive away and my hispanic co worker did not take off. our plant workers are here too.

As the catholic bishop of LA pointed out to previous protesters, it doesn't help their cause to wave a mexican flag. Normal US people response is 'If you love it so much, why don't you go back there'. They're waving mostly american flags instead.

The last wave of marches had the Mexican flags waving, and many nutcases carrying signs saying this is "stolen land", blah blah blah.

This for some reason did not endear the plight of the criminals with the average working citizen with half a clue.

The new approach is to take on the American flag this time, showing that they want to become americans, even if they are not willing to follow our laws.

If there is a massive shutdown because of this "protest", I predict that the only thing this will do is act as a wake-up call to the legal citizens of this country that we have a bigger problem with criminals than we though, if they have been allowed to infiltrate us so completely that they could disrupt us even for a day.

Time to start cracking down hard on any and everyone that hires these criminals to work for them. If the off-the-radar jobs are gone, so will be the desire to come into this country illegally.

Also, many are starting to finally get the fact that "these illegals are doing jobs Americans won't" was and IS a direct insult on the LAZY Americans that are sniviling that they don't have a job, but REFUSE to do these jobs because they are somehow too good for these jobs.

Build the fence. A big one. Find an illegal, throw him back over. Each and every one. No trial, no hearing. You are not here legally, ship them out that day. SEEYA!

Overhaul the immigrations process. People looking for a better life that DON'T HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD that learn the language and want to intigrate in, should be able to get in. It should not be a six year process to get in.

I haven't noticed any difference in the number of French Canadians in the marketplace or the workplace.

As far as the illegal immigrants are concerned, perhaps the effect of the Day Without Immigrants would be more meaningful if they would boycott the police stations, international borders, hospital emergency rooms, courts and public school budgets for the day, as well.

what if we BOUGHT mexico? :)

keep it as a separate autonomous region, like Puerto Rico.

theyd' love it as they could all collect welfare, unemployment insurance, and fake back or carpal tunnel injuries and live on disability.

I'd settle for Baja.

... of 18+ years as a paralegal, and a string of A+ work in sociolgy classes at Overgrown-with-Old-Ivy University:

1) If you are here without proper documents, it means that you did not come here through legal channels, and you are therefor an ILLEGAL ALIEN.

2) If you were an ILLEGAL ALIEN in most other countries, you would (a) be a felon and (b) be deported.

3) I have no real problem with a guestworker program, as long as (a) everyone has to go back, go the the US embassy or consulate in their home country, and start over, (b) being here illegally is a felony, (c) employing or otherwise assisting an illegal alien is a felony as well, and (d) NO MORE TAX DOLLARS TO SUPPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS!!!!

Look, I realize why we have so many people coming across the border to get into the U.S. illegally. Because it sucks everywhere else.

This is the key word. They are here illegally
PERIOD. They come to take advantage of the
health care program, that's why it costs so much now. I don't want to hear about the poor
illegal alien who works for $5. an hour. Why??
Because it's the only job for illegal people
to take. Employers are taking advantage of this
knowing they won't run to the state and
complain. They say they do jobs that we as
AMERICANS won't do. BS I don't want to hear
it. When the employers begin paying for
AMERICANS to do the work, they will have to
pay decent wages. And we'll not have the
burden to bear for the added expense of caring
for alien children. We like to think that
we are a humanitarian people, but that only
goes so far.. Others say "Give 'til it hurts"
It hurts now, The costs go up but the pay
doesn't because the markets are tight. When
will we begin to care for the CITIZENS of this
country. We are a melting pot, but these are
CITIZENS. Do you want to contribute to this
great nation??? Then participate, become a
citizen and put in your fair share before
you try to reap the benefits. Learn the
english language so you know what we are
saying and can communicate with me. I should
not as a CITIZEN have to learn a second
language to understand you. And don't get me
started on the bi-lingual ballots at voting
time, if you can vote legally then you must
be a CITIZEN and understand ENGLISH.

because a lot of the money that the criminals make gets sent back to family in Mexico, so a lot of US dollars get funneled directly into the Mexican economy, having never been taxed in the US.

Oh yeah, the corrupt people in charge are going to want to clean up the corruption.

But then again, this is all an imaginary problem, because OZ has clearly shown us that NO ONE wants to immigrate to the US, legally or otherwise. ;\

As a former Southern Californian (yes folks- there really ARE native Californians)I can say with some level of confidence that you only missed one key thing. Quit making Spanish speaking a requirement to get just about any job in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. I was required to learn Spanish- self defense, mostly- as a kid. Unfortunately, the only second language that I have ever really needed to have was French- I worked in Canada a few years back.

I personally don't think that there will be any real impact at all. I know that there are jobs that these people do. I also know that race isn't a requirement to do them. Willingness is.

I'm with you, jd. Build a bigger fence if that is what it takes. Illegals don't like the fact that they are required to learn English in order to get an education, find a decent job, or receive services? Tough.

In my opinion, the issue goes beyond whether or not they have gotten into the country illegally. It is the fact that having gotten here, they assume that it is now up to us to take care of them. I have better things to do with my $$$. I don't want my tax $$$ going to that either.

And frankly, if they are so upset by the way they are treated in this country, they are welcome to leave.

And while I recognize that illegals are the point in this discussion, my sentiments apply equally well to anyone from some place else.

I believe in America and support America and Americans. I am tired of being asked to support folks who come here and then complain about the country and its culture. They are all welcome to be excused.

I'll get off my soapbox now...

Think about it. Some of us will be able to pay the increased prices of food but many won't

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

..."Start by controlling corruption and narco-trafficking. Just a thought."

If the most powerful country in the world can't accomplish the above, how would you expect a country with limited resources like Mexico to be able to do this?

It's hard to fix a problem when no one currently knows the solution. Don't blame Mexico for it's inability to control corruption & drugs, the problem seems to be afflicting most countries nowadays including the U.S.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12535896/

"MEXICO CITY - The United States reacted cautiously on Saturday to a Mexican measure that would make it legal to carry small amounts of cocaine, heroin and other drugs for personal use. "

Heck, they can carry personal stashes around soon.

~editied to unconfuse-title.

03/28 : Student protest in Whittier area students from Pioneer, California and Whittier high schools walked out of classes to protest the proposed federal immigration bill March 27, 2006. The protestors put up the Mexican flag over the American flag flying upside down at Montebello High.

That came in my email just now with photos of students doing as it describes. As I looked at the pictures I was furious! Let them boycott anything they want today...they do that most of the time anyway. They work here and send their wages to their native country, and have no intention of becoming citizens.

As for the kids who left that school...it would make sense to me to shut that school down. Why not? Why have tax payers supoort rebels who fly the flag upside down? RRRRR!!!!

And that from a woman who prefers not to anger. It takes a lot to set my fuse off. It's set.

I have lived here my whole life! :D

Nothing beats personal observation! ;\

(thats ok. you canuks are a close second..... :p )

The answer is unleashed capitalism.

"illegal aliens do not pay taxes in the vast majority of the cases"

The tax system could easily be changed to correct that particular problem :)

"build a wall to keep it from getting worse.
crack down on any and everyone that hires these criminals.
throw any crimials back over the fence as you come across them, every time you come across them. no hearing, not trial. out."

Either you want government interference in people's lives or not. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Immigration (legal or not) is not the problem. It's like imigration is the rain, and our broken government is the leaky roof. Think it through. There is enough opportunity in this country to support twice its current population. They are not only potential employees (surely an alternative to shipping jobs to India ;) ) and potential union busters, they are potential consumers!

"And yes, deny all social services other than emergency care to illegals,"

Deny all social services other than emergency care to [b]anyone[/b]. IOW get rid of social services period.

"The do NOT have any rights under the bill of rights because that bill of rights only covers US citizens."

Who did the Declaration of Independence apply to ("All Men are created equal...")?

Keeping them out is punishment just the same as taxes punish those who try to be successful. It's us trying to be like those who punish us. It's protectionism pure and simple (if you're afraid they're going to take your job, then I would submit that the problem is with you, not them). And weren't we complaining about that just a few years ago?

that the US government is printing money that is not backed up with proper amounts of Gold?

Got a link you would care to share?

Thanks.

but I can honestly say I didn't expect to see much. The day is far from over; who knows???

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

Thanks to Galbraith and others of a similar bent. I am ashamed to admit the man was born a Canadian. He emmigrated to the US back sometime in the 30s and became a life long Democrat, which says much about his economic theories. He could just as easily been a communist. Other than Greenspan, I can think of no other individual who has had such an effect on the US economy, much of it detrimental.

The only nation on the gold standard, which immediately comes to mind, are the Swiss and each and every Swiss Franc is backed by double its value in gold; by law. One major reason for the stability of their currency.

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

hospitals with NO emergency services

in fact here in LA due to cost overruns,
(uninsured, etc)
emergency rooms are dropping dead and closing
like trees in the amazon

frail, 'ugly bags of mostly water' (quote from the silicon creatures on startrek)

if those organics think they can lounge around and can't even BUY them, you have to rent or lease them.

seriously, as long as we don't make them TOO smart, we just have to worry about 'nature finding a way' with them.

We've had some college students demonstrating (when don't they) and a few signs, but for the most part, NOBODY FRIGGIN' CARES.

You want to know why? Illegal immigrants need to stay quiet or get shipped back...Why come out and say "arrest me and ship me home!!??"

Stupid and pointless...oh and you college students blocking up traffic on Central, I hate you...with all my being I hate you...

that could have been an interesting discussion. :D

As for consumption taxes. You will hear all day long what a hate monger you are for unfairly taxing the poor poor because a "bigger portion of their income goes towards needs". This is of course said as if it is somehow unfair that some people have worked hard to excel and thus have more money.

But again, we do agree that it is the best solution.

I just won't buy it. They are already paying the taxes in everything they buy, they just don't know it.

Their ignorance is not a good reason not to do it.

Where does it stop?? The cross the border
illegally, and suck up the welfare, health care and food stamps. FOR FREE?? No, the citizens pay for those services, and the illegals don't
pay penny one into the system. Like a leach, the suck, and suck, until the host dies. Do we
have to wait until no one but the richest
can afford a doctor, or a house, or any of
those items we call part of the AMERICAN
DREAM. CLOSE THE BORDERS NOW.

Illegals stood up to show how important they are to our daily life, and for the most part showed us that they meant nothing.

Here are a few numbers being thrown around by the advocates of allowing crimials to not be called criminals.

about 4% of our workforce is made up of illegal aliens.
We currently have about 4.6% unemployment.

hmmmmmmmmm ;\

I called my son last night, to see if there was any problems in his hometown (he lives 180 miles away, with his mom in a more rural part of Kentucky).

He said there was no display of solidarity with the migrant workers there - they were all too busy working.

As a side note, he also complained how hard it was for HIM to find a job. He's 17, and looking for a part-time entry level job. He understands that with no experience, being young , etc, that there are most likely mops, dishes, and trash bags in his immediate employment future.

BUT! There are no job openings in his home town for entry level workers! They are all taken by (as he put it) "People who's first language isn't English".

I am no way claiming that all the minimum wage jobs there are being taken by illegal aliens. But I WOULD hazard to guess that more than one job is.

"Americans" too lazy to do some of the jobs out there? Not likely. I think it's more now that "Americans" don't have the oppertunity to get those jobs.

- edited for horrendous spelling errors.

I am not sure how to respond other than to reiterate a couple of key points: immigration policy is widely recognized as a sovereign responsibility and, due to long standing disregard for this policy, it is not possible to rationally evaluate current US immigration needs. I consciously avoided discussing any means of redressing the current situation and I do not wish to redirect this thread.

I had assumed that it was widely accepted that nations control their own borders. To anyone who feels this is not true, I suggest the following experiment. Fly to any international airport and try to enter the country without going through immigration control. Anyone who tries this is likely to be shot, literaly. Furthermore, countries like Mexico restrict worker movement within their own borders. A Mexican must be issued a special work permit to travel to any of the resort areas such as Cancun or Cozumel. Where are the protesters for the right to sneak into the resort to change bed linens? Why is the US singled out to have a free-for-all border crossing?

I had also thought that my second point was self-evident, that due to a large illegal alien driven underground economy, it is impossible to objectively evaluate the affects on the US economy and the level of need for immigrant workers. I am not sure who the unidentified "they" might be, but it is my suspicion that "they" benefit from illegal workers as opposed to being harmed. The key point, however, is that due to the hidden nature of illegal immigration, it is not possible to evaluate the affects and who is affected.

By having ignored the issue for years, the US has allowed a problem to grow, unchecked, to monstrous proportions. Resolving the problem will be painful. At this point, however, I am not interested in discussing possible resolutions, even legitimate ones. I am more interested in consensus that a problem exists.

A government is set up to benefit its citizens, not the citizens of another government. Feel free to disagree with this concept, but do not single out the US when other nations are far more restrictive. Accept this proposal however, and agree that the US does have the right to control entry and oppertunity for non-US citizens.

Wow, it cut WAY down on freeway traffic!
I didn't need to goto ANY store that was closed!

I say let's extend this protest INDEFINITELY!!

and as DMambo so succinctly suggested, have them extend their boycott to social services, police, hospital, welfare, foodstamps, disability and more!

About the only horrid thing was a few stores in Boyle Heights were threatened with violence if they did not close.

And some anarchists attacked police in MacArthur Park (which was melting after dark, someone left some cake out in the rain.. :) They like to piggyback onto any other demonstrations.

Viva la United States!

How dare you step out of the corner of political correctness and demand that we start seeing the evidence of our own eyes?

I think that what ticked off my friend is that he DOES value the flag and all that it represents. The folks carrying it around yesterday- not so much.

Oddly enough, the point you make about INS was made to me several times yesterday.

The problem seems to be that, while growing in strength and number, we of this opinion are still a minority. There is still a belief that if there is any chance that someone might, maybe, perhaps, become even slightly disturbed by what is said- it must not be said.

I am all for productive communication. I draw the line when the definition of "productive" is the same as "meaningless".

edited to correct a typo

... I asked a college educated friend of mine (who prefered "black" to any hyphenated tomfoolery) why people used "axed".

He said they were just lazy.

Hmmm?

"Day without Immigrants", well I almost got out my bucket and spaade to head south as there woul dbe nobody in America. Then I read your post and you referred to illegal immigrnts.

First of all, while I agree that illegal immigrants are a major proble, in the US, I have to laugh at everyone's reactions to multiculturalism in the US.

Yuo guys haven't even begun to be multicultural. When in the US sure you see the token chinese of Japanese guy, the token East Indian etc. But you really only have an influx of Spanish/Mexican immigrants.

try visiting Canada, Vancouver especially, you wil see every immigrant known to man, and some you may need to look up on Wikopedia. Compared to Vancouver, the US is not a very culturally diverse country at all, but all we hear about is immmigrants in the US. YOu need to REALY start to separate immigrants and illegal immigrants/aliens.

America without mmigrants? You wouldn't be posting here and nor would 99% of the other peers, you are all immigrants to the USA,with exception to any native Americans here, I don't care when you were born.

To hear how multicultural you are, then to see what a MINORITY group immigrants really are there is a laugh. Again, yes you have a huge flow of mexican immmigrants, but that doesn't really make you international or multicultural.

I thought it was funny though to see a dozen Mexicans standing outside the hardware store waiting for cash jobs. So I suppose when you need a garden dug they are alright but after that you don't want them around anymore.

remember, "Don't feed the bears", if you stopped takign advantage of the cheap labour they wouldn't be so eager to enter your country.

"Day without Immigrants", well I almost got out my bucket and spaade to head south as there woul dbe nobody in America. Then I read your post and you referred to illegal immigrnts.

First of all, while I agree that illegal immigrants are a major proble, in the US, I have to laugh at everyone's reactions to multiculturalism in the US.

Yuo guys haven't even begun to be multicultural. When in the US sure you see the token chinese of Japanese guy, the token East Indian etc. But you really only have an influx of Spanish/Mexican immigrants.

try visiting Canada, Vancouver especially, you wil see every immigrant known to man, and some you may need to look up on Wikopedia. Compared to Vancouver, the US is not a very culturally diverse country at all, but all we hear about is immmigrants in the US. YOu need to REALY start to separate immigrants and illegal immigrants/aliens.

America without mmigrants? You wouldn't be posting here and nor would 99% of the other peers, you are all immigrants to the USA,with exception to any native Americans here, I don't care when you were born.

To hear how multicultural you are, then to see what a MINORITY group immigrants really are there is a laugh. Again, yes you have a huge flow of mexican immmigrants, but that doesn't really make you international or multicultural.

I thought it was funny though to see a dozen Mexicans standing outside the hardware store waiting for cash jobs. So I suppose when you need a garden dug they are alright but after that you don't want them around anymore.

remember, "Don't feed the bears", if you stopped takign advantage of the cheap labour they wouldn't be so eager to enter your country.

to overthrow the corrupt Mexican government that continues to make Mexico such a horrible place to live?

Or is it time for the people of Mexico to stand up and instead of running away from the problem, make Mexico a respectable place to live?

I just know that I don't have a solution for it.

and the protests didn't take place until evening.

There is a fairly large hispanic population in Grand Rapids.

With a 7% unemployment rate in Michigan right now, it seems no one was stupid enough to risk their jobs over this because there are so many people that would scoop up that free job real quick.

No violent protests that I heard of, and everything was pretty low key.

Biting the hand that feeds you is never a good idea, and there are plenty of people that lost their jobs because of skipping work for the LAST demonstration.

And the employers are fighting paying unemployment benifits to the people that were fired for refusing to come into work. Refusing work is NEVER looked upon favorably by the labor department.

I personally didn't see a single store closed, nor ANY sign that this was even taking place.

We DO get a lot of migrant workers here in Michigan too. Every year they come up to do the fields and bust their a$$'s off in that hot sun all day long, the whole family. Every winter they are back to Texas or Mexico.

There have been a few deportations lately. Typically they give the order and enforce it months later, and some people try to hide in between.

Last month there was the case of the man from Portugal and the woman from Brazil, both illegals, who married and had a child in Canada. The rule states that you must be deported to your country of origin and these people were crying in front of the TV camera about how cruel the government was forcing them apart. Turns out they had been scheming all along and left the day before their scheduled deportation and both went to Portugal. I shook my headabout how many media were duped.

Last week there was the case of a couple with kids who dissapeared when they got their order. The enforcers discovered that although they moved the kids were at the same school, so they went to the school and detained the kids. They asked the kids to call their parents and then handed the phone to the immigration officers who said, come down here so we can serve you the papers. That might have been slightly over the edge, but I understand the frustration of the officers.

We don't have as many illegals in Canada as the US, even as a percentage basis, as they have to either fly or come across the US border. But they exist. I remember the refugee scam - Portugese people claiming to be Jehovah's Witnesses because apparently JWs were persecuted in Portugal. That loophole was closed, others still exist.

Unemployment in Canada has been higher than the US for some time. One of the reasons why the Canadian economy is doing better than the US in terms of growth is that it had been less productive and below the US economy, so it was easierr to make big gains.

Crime is less, but it isn't non-existent. We do export a lot of pot, and grow ops are still criminal here.

There definately is an underground economy, both of illegal workers (contruction in Toronto estimated to be 25% illegals) and Canadian citizens who work part time in underground (tradesmen).

What probably ticks both Oz and I off are the arguments that US makes that Canada is some kind of haven for terrorists. Fox, no matter that they have gone on record apologizing in the past for this, still continues to allow commentators to say that some of the 9/11 terrorists came through Canada. They know its a lie and they repeat it. The US congress just yesterday published a report about terrorists in Canada, and just happened to neglect the fact that the persons of interest they mentioned were already in custody of Canadian law enforcement under national security provisions. I resent the hell out of those baseless self serving political bullsh!t accusations.

But I can't lie, we aren't perfect.

James

and of all places Texas...some of the smaller Mexican restaurants were closed but the stores were still full of customers, gas lines were still there and traffic was still a pain.

I think that this "rally" is only hurting their cause. I for one have nothing against people from other countries coming to the United States to take part in the "American dream". However, I DO have a problem with people coming here illegally.

Most of the people that live in the US had ancestors that were immigrants but they came here and legally became citizens.

I think that thing that bothers me the most is that during the rallies you primarily see flags from other countries being waved and people wearing t-shirts from their home countries. If they really want to win the hearts and support of Americans and become citizens, shouldn't they be waving the U.S. flag??? Plus, I have talked to a few of the "illegals" right here in our town and they say that since they are working and paying taxes that they should be allowed to become citizens. But, when I ask "how are you paying taxes when you can't have a social security number unless you are an American citizen?", they walk away...

I for one am tired of paying taxes that support illegals medical bills and education. Not to mention constantly worrying about being hit by a driver with no license or insurance.

Which is HIGHLY odd considering its the Hub City for illegals entering the country.

Also odd because Hispanics make up nearly 35% of the population in Houston...that makes them the majority group.

The only odd thing is what a friend of mine told me about the grass farm he works at. 6 workers did not show today so they were immediately replaced with 6 "Legal" workers. Some people just dont know how to keep quiet.