May 1 - Immigrant boycott in major cities

[stngymama]

Originally Posted by shelbylovesmelby

I think they could of picked a better day ..

May 1 is International Labor Day

[shelbylovesmelby]

Originally Posted by stngymama

You're right, but I think that's the point! They really don't have much to lose, as their "jobs" are precarious with none of the protections citizens have.
I wonder if anyone has done a study to compare the cost/benefits of using illegals. They "take" things for "free", but also get paid considerably less for the same work, thus costing employers and consumers less. It'd be interesting and would certainly resolve many arguments. Right now, it's just opinion.

I'd like to see that as well!

I know they are paid considerably less that's why in the busy season they truck in the illegals thru a temp agency to my dh's current employer so they don't have to pay my dh o/t & don't have to worry about paying them any benefits, workmans comp & or life/hazard insurance it's all on the agencies. But my dh has said he likes working with some of the temps because they do bust their butts & it is a labor intensive industry. Going thru the temps may keep the company & the agencies bottom line looking nice, but it doesn't make my dh's check any

He has also ran accross someone whom when he asked what his ss# was because they have to enter their info in to the pc to keep hrs & track pay on it he had no idea who he was that day! He couldn't remember wich ss# he was using or name because he uses a diff name everytime my dh see's him.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Originally Posted by stngymama

May 1 is International Labor Day

Makes sense then.

[stngymama]

Originally Posted by shelbylovesmelby

He couldn't remember wich ss# he was using or name because he uses a diff name everytime my dh see's him.

ROTFL.....but sad! What a world

[shelbylovesmelby]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1907363

[Cheetahwoman7]

I certainly don't advocate skipping school or illiteracy. There are, however certain social issues for which I would support my kids missing an hour or two, or even a day, of school. But then I'm a product of the sixties, and the [very effective] protests of that time.

As I see it, the parents can still have their children participate in showing their support without missing any school, by going to the later demonstration/rally/march. Again, that's in my area/city. I'm sure it's a different senario depending where one is located.

Oh, what I forgot to mention is that I teach at a grade school, K-6th grade. I feel that the lower the grade the student is in, the more missing time affects their learning, whereas a high schooler missing a day, in my opinion, wouldn't be affected as much. I guess teaching the grades I do taints my view on if the children should miss school or not.

Another thing to consider is that the schools will lose ADA (average daily attendance) which is how they are paid to give all of those FREE services to the students. Can you imagine how that will affect the budget of a school if 95% of its students missed a day? Might not seem like much for a day, but take 1000 students (just at my school) and multiply it by what the State pays (not that much, but still better than nothing) and you have the cost of supplies for a year for 2/3 of the classrooms at my school. We get $100 a YEAR per classroom to buy supplies. That's $10 a month for 32 students....hmmmm, what does that work out to? Approximately $.31 cents per student per month!

Just to let you know, I'm not against the protesting at all. I grew up in the area where I now teach. I know how many of the Hispanic workers are overworked and underpaid. My comments are mearly to point out one other aspect this protest will have an affect on.

[cicy33]

I will also probably get jumped on but .... I work hard for my citizenship, I pay my taxes, and I speak the language. By the way, English is the official language of the United States. I don't recall dates but there was a vote many, many, many years ago and we came really close to speaking German. Just because all these people showed up speaking dozens of languages does not mean English is not our official language. I do not think that is fair that people can come here and just get all the stuff they get for free just for coming here. You want to come here and have a better life, GREAT! but, work for it. don't expect a handout. Does anyone here think that if you suddenly decided you wanted to live in Mexico that they would offer the same benefits they receive in America? We have children starving that are citizens and don't get the benefits these immigrants get. That is wrong. I can personally say that their boycott will have no effect on my life. Does not mean that it won't effect it somewhere down the line but no real personal effect. They are saying that people here will simply not cook today in the Mexican restaurants. So what? I can cook Mexican. Or I can go to another restaurant. So what if they don't purchase stuff today? I didn't buy anything from a store a couple of days last week. I am sure a million other people didn't either. And as said above. We, the citizens of this country, work hard to make a living for our families and yet, we are supposed to be like, oh, ok, take my job for 1.00 an hour because you are here illegally. At my job we are required to ask for documentation to prove either citizenship or legal status.

[Ima saver]

Well, I won't jump on you, I agree with you.

[PrincessPerky]

About that school thing, depending on the rally, it might be good for the kids to see a real world bit of action than to sit in a classroom, nothing against teachers who try their best, but howmuch are kids missing locked away with one adlt and a bunch of kids?

Now weather out of school is a good thing or not depends largely on the parents and what they are doing. (party, swearing, drinking, or debating polotics?)

[kashi]

I fully support the boycott. Not all immigrants are here illegally. I appreciate the fact that there are immigrants cleaning the bathrooms at work, serving my lunch, and giving me a massage.

I say, good for them! I applaud people who fight for what they believe in.

[Fern]

I also take offense when a group of Latino/Hispanic men STARE very rudely if i'm walking by. I know it's a cultural thing, that's what they do to women in their own countries, but it speaks to the point i initially made, that if they are going to live here they need to learn our culture and way of life...part of that is understanding that staring at a woman or making sexual innuendos is prety ignorant and offensive.

Maybe i'm not getting something, but with all these demonstrations, they seem to be 'demanding' their rights. If you enter illegally, you shouldn't have ANY rights, tho of course they do here.

[cicy33]

okay here is a line that I copied, I think it speaks VOLUMES: to demand legal rights for millions of illegal immigrants.

Give me a break. Since when do we give rights to illegal immigrants. This is not about the legal ones, this is about the ILLEGAL ones. The line that I copied is from the washington paper, and it goes on to say that not all immigrant-rights organizations are in agreement with them.

[eisor]

Originally Posted by cicy33

By the way, English is the official language of the United States. I don't recall dates but there was a vote many, many, many years ago and we came really close to speaking German. Just because all these people showed up speaking dozens of languages does not mean English is not our official language.

Just wanted to let you know that you are mistaken.

English is not the official language of the United States. The United States does not have an official language.

Although, at the federal level the US does not have an official language, many states have adopted English as their official language.

"The United States federal government may not have officially established English as its formal official language, but does use English for legislation, regulations, executive orders, treaties, federal court rulings, and all other official pronouncements. In some states, English, Hawaiian and Spanish are official. In 2000, the census bureau printed the standard census questionnaires in six languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. The English-Only movement seeks to establish English as the only official language of the nation." English Wikipedia

Also, a simple google search will lead you to many different sites regarding this issue. One, includes the myth about German almost becoming the official language. There are many senators who support federal legislation that is trying to get English to be the official language. But, as of right now, that is not the case.

I just wanted to make sure everyone was clear of the facts.

Edited to add that here is a government site that confirms that the US does not have an official language.
FirstGov.gov

[lrjohnson]

Eisor:

Thanks, I was just in the middle of googling the same thing and pasting cites, but you beat me to it. Thanks for your googling, and here is one more:

"Urban Legend: German almost became the official language of the US"

I live in an area with a large native American population as compared to other parts of the Country. The views are a little different. It's an interesting reminder that in discussions that involve "Us" versus "Them" to someone else you might be a "Them."

[PRICEPLUS]

I have no problem with immigrants. Hell, we are all the children of immigrants or immigrants here in the US. I have a problem with ILLEGAL ALIENS!

I will never support people just walking into this country and DEMANDING anything! If you want to come here you sign in like my people had to do! Who has a criminal record? Who is carrying diseases? No one knows and the government will not enforce the law and hurt the pockets of the fat cats who benefit from cheap labor.

I watch AMERICAN CITIZENS bumped out of construction sites because it is cheaper to pay ILLEGAL ALIENS! I have seen it with my own eyes and it makes me very angry!

I would say more but I won't. I am not apologizing to anyone for anything on this topic! Oh, by the way, I will continue to sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM in English. Learning English is a rite of passage in this country. I refuse to speak any other language while doing business!

[cicy33]

Thank you for clarifying the language issue. I really was not aware. I also agree with above poster. I am tired of people coming from other countries and having everything given to them for free and we the CITIZENS have to fight and struggle for everything we get. It is not what this country was built on. I don't have a problem with someone moving here and making a life. But don't come here broke and expect a hand out. Yet, that is exactly what our government does.

[veronak]

This is like my pet peeve, I cannot understand for the life of me why ppl feel the need to enter this country illegally. My parents came here illegally and work the jobs that every one says Americans do not want and yet were happy and made a great life not only for themselves but as well as for their children. It drives me crazy when I go into an establishment and no one I mean no one speaks English all the signs are in Spanish, I mean come on. The least one can do is learn the language. I have a serious problem with this and don't get me wrong my parents were legal immigrants and that is the key legal. I see it every day free welfare, healthcare housing and yet they can't or choose not to speak the language. Here in FL the Cubans have the right to stay as long as they touch land not for Economic reason such as food, healthcare but for political reasons because Castro is such a bad person. Just a reminder the ppl did elect to have him there and did they forget that so many ppl died in this country just to have their freedom...Oh boy I can go on & on. I do think however, that once they are here one should not be deliberately mistreated we are talking about humans but think the law should reflect all classes not just some

[frugalfarmwife]

You go Priceplus! Yes, I'm the product of immigrant ancestors, LEGAL ONES! My husbands grand parent on one side spoke polish but learned ENGLISH, his grand parents on the other side, russian, learned the ENGLISH language and ways, came here LEGALLY and worked HARD for a better life for their children! They still keep their heritage and are proud of it, but they're American first and foremost, and proud of it.

I'm in a small community in Ohio and quit shopping at Walmart when they put in signs in spanish, heck, we're a HUGE Amish community yet they don't put the signs up in German, oh thats right, the Amish ALSO speak english!

My younger brother is handicapped and works HARD, he lost his job at a pallet factory because they could bring in 2-3 illegals for the money they paid him.

The boycott did not effect my home or lifestyle and I won't allow it to now or in the future, my little 82 acre corner of the world is American, english speaking and darn near completely self supporting

I've run into groups in stores in the last few years that are rude, loud, pushy, annoying and hollering back and forth in spanish with NO respect for anyone around them. I would NEVER treat anyone this way or act this way, common courtesy won't allow me to!

Oh, and we've had more than our fair share of round ups of illegals around us in the last few months.

American (of German heritage) and proud of it

lk