May 14, 2006
"Why do Republicans hate Latinos?"
Consuelo asked me that stunning question in such an innocent and noble fashion that I was momentarily speechless.
For over two years Consuelo has been working for me and providing the hidden support that a site like Huff And Blow needs. While my tools are a computer keyboard and a dictionary, her tools are a toilet brush and a push broom. While I fight Bush and the Neocon cabal, she tirelessly and humbly fights dust and grime. The topic of her "status" or her "legality" has never come up. It doesn't matter: she's in search of a job, and I have jobs that need to be done. No one else need know about it or be concerned about it, because her employment affects no one else.
All across America, there are millions of other immigrants just like Consuelo. They just come here to work, and they take the jobs that Americans won't do. Can you imagine an American doing menial household tasks? They wouldn't last a half a day!
Meanwhile, the Republicans think of people like Consuelo as a threat. Their talk of "borders", "sovereignty", "the rule of law", "legality", and all their other claptrap is just a cover for their deep bigotry against People of Color. What matter "borders" in today's modern, borderless world? What "threat" could there be from a friendly neighboring country like Mexico? No person is illegal!
Bear in mind, there are a few Republicans who are not like this. While my ex-husband Mitch Huffanan had his faults and "peccadilloes" (a Spanish word - don't tell Bush!) and he was quite reactionary in other matters, when it came to immigrant rights he was a strong supporter. He had even taken affirmative action one step further: rather than simply reaching out to minorities in the U.S., he even went as far as sending recruiters to small Mexican villages seeking to improve the lots of the villagers. Within a few years, his workforce - originally just Americans - was a true international affair, with Mexicans, Salvadorans, and even Hondurans happily toiling away. They showed their true immigrant spirit, working up to 12 hours per day 6 days per week on occasion. Even the teenagers and older children had a strong work ethic, oftentimes helping their parents at the plant. In some cases nearly every person in the whole village would come to the U.S. to take the jobs that Americans would no longer do.
The Republicans - especially those in the House - want to do away with all that. Thankfully, a coalition of immigrants rights supporters intend to fight them every step of the way. And, it's a true cross-border effort, bringing together the Mexican government with the Democratic Party, immigrants rights groups, anti-war groups like ANSWER, WCW, and ISO, labor organizations... and this site.
As you watch Bush's immigration speech, bear in mind that the only people who truly support full rights for every immigrant regardless of status are the Democratic Party and our allies in this fight for the rights of all peoples around the world.
Posted by Ariadne to Ariadne at May 14, 2006 10:02 AM
Yes, illegals often are willing to work harder, and willing to work longer hours, than American citizens and legal immigrants--because the latter two groups have Federal laws protecting certain aspects of their employment. American citizens and legal immigrants also have rights of legal recourse that all illegal immigrants know are unavailable to them. Like the right to call the cops.
No matter how cozy the circumstances of employment or beneficent the boss, this knowledge rules the illegally hired person's existence. Power over a person's legal status in a foreign country, even if never discussed, is inherently exploitive in the workplace. All it takes is a phone call, after all.
But hey--you need a grateful hard worker, and your cleaning Latina wants to eat, doesn't she? You probably have no idea how cooperative and pliable she is prepared to be, whether under your "wing" or another's. Right now you're her owner--she knows it if you don't.
Jobs Americans won't do? Give me a break!!!!!
I'm a widower with 5 kids-I do housework, cook & clean, change dirty diapers. What an insult!
Moreover I've worked as a diswasher, cleaning apartments, porter, busboy, security guard & factory worker. I'm 100% American. Guess what? If they paid 5 times what I make now to wash dishes in Toronto I might just cross the border to work.
The problem is the low wage that illegals are willing to accept.
Here in Miami I once didn't get a job. When I asked the interviewer-a British lady no less-to give me the position she was so candid. Even though I speak & write Spanish fluently she told me flatly ["you're not Hispanic"]. Yes discrimination occurs against Americans in their own nation.
The real culprit is 1.5 million abortions/year.
Someone has to take their place-40 million abortions approximately since Roe vs. Wade-that'll fry demographically any economy.
One job most illegals won't do willingly is wave our flag-there flag-well that's another story.
Re Republicans hating Hispanics? Please don't make me puke. My late wife was Hispanic. The issue is "why are so many Hispanic immigrants such two timing back stabberes to this great land?"
This whole issue is disturbing considering most people who live in this country have ancestry from another country. A nation founded by immigrants, or illegal aliens (I'm sure the Native Americans didn't ask for their green cards) should support everyone that comes here. What's the problem here? The arguments I hear stem from "they're taking our jobs" and "they don't pay taxes and use up all the social services". So why don't we make them citizens, then they pay taxes like everyone else and then the taxes argument can be put to bed. And the job issues, well, it is true that many illegal imigrants work at jobs most americans would not take. American is a nation of pride, and many Americans are not willing to "swallow their pride" and take a field labor job. Notice I said, "many" and not "all". There are Americans who will work those jobs, but we are talking about an issue that must be decided by knowing what is the best option for the greatest number of people.
Most importantly I'd like to bring up the fact that so many Americans of all nationalities were doing what many illegal immigrants are doing today back in the days of the Great Depression. Standing in line, begging for jobs, getting paid without benefits and without paying income taxes. Irish Catholics, Jews, Germans, etc. were all once told to get out of the U.S. and that they were not worthy of American jobs, and in the 30's had to wait for a foreman to be nice enough to pick them out of the crowd to get paid that day. History is cyclical for those who do not know it. You know that all adage. This is proven time and time again.
I'm not a Republican or a Democrat, but I do support anyone who wants to come to this country and make a better living for themself. We need to support all immigrants, as we would hope to be supported if we moved to another country. I'm not saying you get a free pass, but damn they come here to work, not sit around and do nothing. It saddens me deeply to see this kind of hatred in our country. Home to a city called "The Melting Pot". A nation where Iraqis, Germans, Irish, Italians, Mexicans, etc. can live together in neighborhoods and earn an honest living for their families.
This is not bleeding heart liberal nonsense, this is an informed American's opinion based on fact and history. I hope the morons in Washington can get this issue worked out so we can all hail them as heroes come November. :|
those fucking border jumpers can go fuck them selves in their asshole the should all commit massive suicide and burn thier burnt asses alive you fucking immergrants.... DIE
Yeah.. im not a big fan of immigrants. Well first there are 2 types of immigrants the top heavy and bottom heavy. The bottom heavy-landscapers, constrution hard workers im not mad about. I am disgusted by the top heavy load or the 70,000a year immigrants from India that are certified for computers and end up working for Quest, Microsoft, and big name companies. Yeah and the bottom there ok except the fact that most are uninsured drivers, rasing everyone elses rates.!!! so no im not happy no postive coming out! and now they want SS and expect us to pay for when they have a child and are unensured! pleasse
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