Just weird

[Gina]

I just like to add that we are all children of immigrants at one time. Our ancestors came here and went through the right channels to become citizens. They took jobs that no one wanted and were paid low wages. There were no senators or congressmen giving them aid, such as food stamps or welfare or medical. They had to bust they butts to provide for their families. Yet you didn't hear them complaining about being discriminated. We spoke about this issue before, all I can add to this topic is that these people who hire the immgriants should be paying them cash , off the books. Not by check. I am not against the immigrants, but I feel they should assilimate into our society the way our ancestors have, This is the land of the free and I am so tired of every nationality claiming discrimination of some sort. We are the minority today and we have to conform to all. It is disgusting, with all the issues we have America has become the laughing stock.

[Janet]

Gutu29, I read your post early this morning before my bus route. I did not respond then, because I wanted to have time to think about what I wanted to say. When I got back, Marilyn and Gina had already responded and I could not think of one thing they hadn't mentioned. They did a great job explaining how most feel. Please do not feel offended in any way...your circumstances are so completely different.

[Willow]

I want to apologise to Gutu29. You are trying to do things the RIGHT way and in no way does my post apply to you. I am very sorry if my post offended you.

I would also like to add that I am a descendant of Quantum Parker, who was one of the last Comanche indian chiefs forced onto a reservation. MY people were here before ANY immigrants...and my ancestors were forced onto reservations. I have ancestors that were both here before the immigrants came and I have ancestors thet migrated here LEGALLY and worked hard just like you are doing to become citizens and raise their children here.

My husband and I live in a small community and the local farmers and ranchers are all hiring illegal mexicans who work for less than minimum wage. There are no American employees. That is what upsets me. My husband would work for those farmers, but because he expects at the very least to be paid minimum wage, he is not hired. Or when he DID work for the one dairy farm he was the only American and he would get into trouble for the mexicans mistakes who didn't speak any English and then would laugh at my husband when they managed to get him into hot water with the boss.

Again, I apologise for the harshness of my earlier post. Please do not take it to mean you. You are not an illegal, not when you have the paperwork filed and you are doing what the goverment asks of you to work in our country. That is the way they should ALL do it.

And I am glad you got to go to College! I am sure your parents love you a great deal and worked very hard and honestly to give you that chance, and that is the most wonderful gift that any parent could give their child!

[Ponyup]

I have no problem with people finding refuge in the united states. I do however, think that they should be required to learn the language, not be eligible for our welfare system, & not require that we change our traditions & customs to fit theres. If I moved to Mexio I would be expected to learn Spanish & adapt to their way of life. Why are we any different?

[Tink]

Wisconsin doesn't have welfare... maybe that's one of the reasons I see this differently than many of you. Here welfare was replaced by workfare. If you want help you must be working a minimum of 20 hrs a week to qualify. A married couple applying must BOTH work at least 20 hrs a week. If you can't find work, they will find it for you and you either take it or you go without.

I just can't understand how anyone can feel that any nationality is more entitled than another. There are good and bad people in every group. We all have our share of deadbeats who refuse to work, but in the local mexican population I don't see them. These people who come to my bank are working very hard for their checks and then can't cash them!

Several of them are learning english and proudly show me the progress they've made when they come into the bank. One young man asks often if his pronunciation is improving... and then laughed when I was trying to learn how to say his name (Juvenal which is pronounced hubenaal) because he said americans can't say it. I was determined to, since I don't want to keep thinking of him as Juvenile... LOL which is the closest I was able to get without his help.

Truly, the Mexicans I come into contact with are trying... and are building relationships with us in the process. It makes me sad and a bit embarrassed to have to keep saying no to their efforts. The whole situation is just a bit weird for a Wisconsin farm girl to get a grip on. I wish they were all LEGAL so it just wasn't an issue.

[Gina]

Gutu29, I also like Janet had to think before I posted on this forum again. First do not that feel offended. I am italian american decent. The italians were shunned by also many years ago. They came into this country but legally though they had to be sponsored by someone living in the US. They didnt know the language either. It was very hard. I am speaking not only for my family but for many italians. They came through Ellis Island in NYC. They were branded as WOPS, without papers is its translation. I hate that word it is so degrading. They were shunned out of big corporations, and laughed upon and called grease balls etc. my uncles were not allowed to go to college unless your family could pay your way. Be happy that the laws have changed and the foriengers today get everything. The italians were always hard working people, and they never took anything from anyone. The american dream was for them to own their own home. In which they worked hard and achieved. They paid their retrobution to society. So I to feel when different enthics groups come to this country and they feel they deserve to get benefits it does bother me big time. I was born and raised in this country and I am a proud American. I don't want anyone to take what I said out of context I am just explaining to Gutu29 that she should not feel that way because others before her suffered too..As long as you go through the right channel you to have every right to belong here..

[Marilyn]

Tink, do they not have check cashing companies in Wisconsin?? Here we have companies like "Mr. Payroll" who will cash most any check for a fee. The illegals, people in trouble with the IRS or in trouble with bill collectors use these companies. There are several in our town. No problem getting a check cashed without a bank account here, just have to pay 8% or so.