Sorry guys. I rarely raise 'hot-topics' on this board, since I like to keep it light-hearted... but I just couldn't pass this one up...

I'm sure I'll take some shots for this, but hey - it's my opinion!!

I got this over e-mail. Had to share!


In response to the "Not a Penny" Day where immigrants are asked not to spend a single cent on Monday to show the effect and importance of the immigrant on the economy. The message: "Don't buy gas, don't go to Wal Mart, don't go to lunch."

I would encourage all the hard working, tax paying, law abiding Americans, inlcuding those American citizens who became citizens by following the rules, to counter with our own "Not a Penny" Day, where we ask all Americans to NOT SPEND A PENNY ON AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. Our message: "Don't let their children attend our schools, don't feed their children free breakfast and lunch, don't give them and their children free medical care, etc." Because, it works both ways. They can shout "We built everything." We can shout right back that maybe they have, but they didn't pay their fair share while they did it. All of us tax paying Americans pay for the illegal immigrant's assistance in many forms, including educating their children and providing some of the best medical care in the world. Illegal immigrants receive a whole lot more public funded assistance then I EVER have as a tax paying citizen. And finally, while you march in our streets under the protection of our civil rights to free speech and freedom of expression - wave the AMERICAN flag!

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OK. Now I realize that this e-mail probably went out to everyone and their dog on Sunday or Monday, but I just now got it, read it and liked it. I was cruising around the blogosphere tonight, and one persons comment jumped out to me. "THE KEY WORD HERE IS 'ILLEGAL'" I don't have a problem so much with the people that immigrate here, and take steps to become LEGAL. Not at all. My grandparents were immigrants. They became American citizens LEGALLY by following the process!

Actually - today I was listening to Michael Medved, and he of course was discussing this topic. A person called in to offer their viewpoint, for the illegal immigrant side. She was calling from Dallas, and after a bit of confusion as to whether or not she was on the air, she began her comment:

Illegal person (IP): Hi. I'm 26. I've lived in Dallas, TX for like, 25 years and just got ordered back to Mexico on March 10.

Medved Show: But you're still here?

IP: Yeah.

Medved show: So now you're 'illegal'

IP: Yeah. And I would just like to say that I've been here since I was 9 months old. I've never lived in Mexico.

Medved Show: Ok. So what do you do?

IP: I'm a stay-at-home mom.

Medved Show: Sure, what does your husband do?

IP: Uh. I'm not married

Medved Show: So how do you support your child or children?

IP: [stammers] child support from their father....

Medved Show: OK. So you're here illegally, and you rely on child support. I don't really think you're helping your cause... but thanks for calling!! *click*

And that really happened on the show! Now - I really DO understand the point she was trying to make. For all intents and purposes, she believes she is an American citizen, because she was raised here, and has never lived in Mexico. Deporting her to Mexico now, at age 26, would be like plopping HER in a foreign country. I understand. But what I don't understand is why she never took steps to become a bona fide citizen? It's not like she didn't know she wasn't... And why didn't she take part of the amnesty when it was offered?? Why? Why are illegal immigrants acting as if we've never given them a freaking chance? Yes - this is the Land of Opportunity, but YOU have to make the Opportunity happen...and that means following our rules and regulations pertaining to obtaining citizenship.

OK. I'll get off my soapbox now.