housing 10 years from now

[PD]

Diatribe? He was basically quoting Mexican law! I shortened illegal immigrant to illegals and you are using this to cast aspersions on me?

I never said that I think illegal immigrants come here for free social services, although it is certainly true that some come here for exactly that reason. This isn’t “faith” or “belief” it is truth.

You keep trying to paint me as some sort of racist or mexican hater. That seems to be your favorite weapon.

[PerryChase]

Actually what Mexico does is not as important as what we do.

If we integrate the people who are in USA now and make them productive members of our society, we’ll be the better for it. By marginalizing immigrants, we are only enlarging the cultural devide, not integrating anyone into society.

Bilingual education is good for English speakers and for Spanish speakers. Wouldn’t it wonderful if everyone in America were fluent in both languages? Let’s not think of bilingual education as a costly accommocation to the immigrants. It’s an opportunity for all kids to learn two languages at once. They will grow up to become more productive and learned citizens.

Personally, I think it’s a shame that some immigrants choose not to teach their native language to their children in the name of assimilation. For example, I have a professional friend of Chinese descent whose parents came to America in 1950. His parents never taught him Chinese. If he spoke Chinese, his career opportunities would be much greater. He could work for all kinds of businesses that trade with China.

If we speak Spanish and trade with Mexico, we can create opportunities for Mexico and for us. We can enlarge the economic pie and help Mexico improve its economy so Mexican workers no longer feel compelled to migrate North. A richer Mexico will become a better business partner for America.

If your neighbors are poor then the whole neighborhood goes now; but if your neighbors can fix-up their properties, then values will go up. Why not give your neighbors a hand?

[PD]

Speaking two or more languages is a great goal but the official language is and should remain English. Immigration and integration is also great. That is how our country grew. However, it should be done legally. Perrychase, you say you grew up France. Clearly you came here legally. That doesn't bother me one whit.

I'm not against immigration, folks. I'm against ILLEGAL immigration. I feel pretty certain that we all understand what ILLEGAL means.
BTW, perrychase what do you think of groups (the DGLFLF) in France that are going to significant lengths to keep English words from cropping up in everyday usage in France? One of their recent beefs was with the word e-mail. They want French people to say courriel instead.

[PerryChase]

Yes, I grew up in France. My mother is American so that’s how I’m American also.

I support an alternative to English but I don’t believe in legislating what people speak. Regardless of what the Academy says, English is used in France all the time. Globalization is causing pains for the French more than it is for America. In Paris, it’s actually cool (not snobbish) to throw some English words in when speaking French – just like it’s a status thing (but snobbish) to use French words in English.

My view is that American pop culture, lifestyle and economic model are the best way for America to extend its influence. Try as they may to resist, the French are becoming more American everyday. The youth eat at Mc Donald’s, drink Coca Cola, and listen to American music and copy American fashion. New York urban fashion is now much more significant than French Haute Couture. I see that every time I go to France.

Sad at it is, local culture is loosing out to globalization. Globalization is relentless and cannot be stopped; so we need to find a way to make the best of it. Actually, despite cultural differences, people everywhere are really all the same. We all want to have peaceful rewarding lives. I say that from experience because I grew up in many countries (dad was traveling) and I’ve been to many places on my own also.

[speedingpullet]

Although I can hardly believe I’m saying it….I find myself in agreement with GWB on this point. Updating the immigration system to allow people to work here temporarlily is a win-win situation for both sides: workers can go home with legally earned US dollars, and the Govt can tax them on it.
What’s not to like?

I find it increasingly ironic/scary that when the US falls on hard times, the xenophobia increases. Its not as if these people haven’t crossed the borders in the last few months – they’ve been doing it repeatedly for years. Why the moral outrage now? How much is it going to cost to deport up to 30 million people? how much is it going to cost to put a National Guardsperson every 50 yards along the southern border? Will it cost less than the legislation to allow these people to work here, legally? I don’t think do.

By all means, tighten the border, charge employers who hire illegal labour, arrest the vile ‘coyotes’ that feed on desperation. But if you don’t implement sane imigration policies to go with the security then it will all come to nothing. People aren’t going to stop coming over the border. You might as well accept it, and legisltate for it. That way, everybody wins.

Historically, it wasn’t all that long ago that all the same things said about the Irish, the Poles, The Chinese,etc… Each time thier children and grandchildren assimiliated into the culture. We’re all mongrels.

As for Europe – can’t speak so much for France, except to say that the Muslim population by and large over there are from ex-french colonies like Algeria, Morrocco and Francophone Africa. They have thier own bones to pick with the French govt that have little to do with Al Quaeda.
The UK has a different mix – most from ex-British colonies like Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.. as well as a large population of Kuwaitis, Saudis, Yemenis on the high-income side.
The vast majority of the British Muslim population are law-abiding people who just want to get on with thier lives, and all this ‘home-grown terrorism’ is as upsetting to them as to the rest of the UK population. Crazy comes in all flavours, races and religions.

I’m with you PerryChase. I enjoy practising my Spanish too 😉

[lightspeak]

I’ve always been pro immigration, but I’ve been reconsidering my position since reading this article.

How Unskilled Immigrants Hurt Our Economy
http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_3_immigrants_economy.html

[SD Realtor]

Wow this thread kind of bugs me as well. If people come to this country legally, pay thier taxes and adhere to our laws then I welcome them with open arms. I do feel that the stress on our economy due to illegal immigration does more damage then the benefits.

[powayseller]

I am against illegal activities of all kind. I am torn with realizing that we whites are becoming a minority. But maybe it serves us right; we took this country from Indians and Mexicans, so perhaps by going back to a brown majority we are simply returning to our roots. When I learned in elementary school that the whites killed the Indians, I was shocked. Now it’s payback time.

One item that I can’t reconcile is Bush’s statement that Mexicans do jobs that Americans wont do. I think he is right. The news has been covering the shortage of agricultural workers, resulting in crops rotting in the fields. CA ag workers are paid an average of $10.12/hr, but this year the shortfall in workers is higher, due to stricter border enforcement.

What is the solution for getting farm workers? Why won’t Americans pick strawberries for $10.12/hour? Don’t we have unemployed prisoners, retarded people, teens, welfare recipients? That salary is well above minimum wage. Why is it so hard to fill those jobs?

In the end, this is another example of wage inflation. The farmers will end up paying more money for this, and the price of strawberries will go up.

[Anonymous]

Prices will go up, at least in the short term, if we ever manage to rid ourselves of our reliance on illegal immigrant labor. However, this is a necessary punishment that we will have to pay as a country.

Our country’s reliance on illegal labor is nothing more than an addiction. It is just like people who smoke, it is an addiction, people do it even though they know it is unhealthy.

[bob007]

i do not think debates over Mexican immigration reflect racism. I am neither White nor Mexican. I think the scale of Mexican immigration has consequences for American society beyond real estate prices. It is a valid topic for debate.

[Author]

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