Posted by GARRISONJHALL (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WHILE I DO BELIEVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION SHOULD BE STOPPED, A THOUGHT DID ENTER MY MIND.

SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND...AS ANOTHER REMINDER THAT PEOPLE NEARLY ALWAYS ARE A "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO."

SPECIFICALLY...WHEN EARLY SHIPS BROUGHT "ILLEGALS?" TO THE SHORES OF AMERICA FROM ENGLAND, ALSO...FROM FRANCE, SPAIN, AND LIKELY OTHER PLACES---I DON'T BELEIVE ANYBODY WAS CHECKING IN WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ALREADY HERE---PEOPLE REFERRED TO THEN, AS NOW: INDIANS, AKA--NATIVE AMERICANS.

SETTLERS ALSO TOOK LAND...KEPT TAKING LAND, WITHOUT REGARD OR RESPECT FROM THOSE "ALREADY HERE".

YES, THESE ARE DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT, LET'S NOT ALL GET SO UPPITY, SO "HIGH & MIGHTY". AFTER ALL, OUR "FOREFATHERS & MOTHERS" CAME TO THIS LAND...FOR OPPORTUNITY THEY DIDN'T HAVE "BACK HOME". THEY ARE SIMILAR TO SALES PEOPLE AND POLITICANS...FINDING A WAY TO GET WHAT THEY WANT--WHICH IS PREACHED SO MUCH IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY!

IT IS INTERESTING THAT MOST OF THE SHARP COMMENT ON ILLEGALS, MOSTLY OF MEXICAN DESCENT...COME FROM REPUBLICANS. YET, THE "TOPIC" AT HAND...COULD HAVE BEEN LONG SOLVED, HAD NOT THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT...WANTED TO FIX IT. THE REPUBLICANS HAVE HELD CONGRESS FOR 12 OF 14 YEARS (COME NOVEMBER...(HOUSE 12 OF 14, SENATE 11 OF 14).

THE SITUATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED...DURING THE FIRST 6 YEARS OF THE BUSH HAUNTA...AS BUSHIE HAD A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS FOR 6 YEARS!

Posted by blulitespecial (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah,yeah-blame Bush! Pres.Johnson started all this! Pres.Clinton thought it was mighty fine,too.Plenty of blame to go around.

Posted by tosie (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WAY TO GO BARB!!! Great article....you hit the nail on the head!

Go fly a kite Garrison....I guess you enjoy paying their way....I sure don't.

Posted by aguilarg (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Being of hispanic descent I understand the struggles of immigrants-- mexican, chinese, etc, etc. However, we have also been victims of identity theft. The IRS kept trying to collect on unreported wages that we did NOT owe. It took over 10 years--- 10 years to clear it up. The famous Homeland Security’s E-verify program DOES NOT WORK. It only confirms that the SS# is a government issued number. It does not flag it if there are multiple users on the same number (whether it has the same name or different name with various employers). Our SS# had been used with 17 different employers across the nation. The current system needs to be revamped-- that's why it's not working.... Almost everybody goes to a party where there is FREE food-- if you know what I mean.

Posted by JoseJimenez (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How long before they blow up the Statue of Liberty and reduce L.A. and New York City to rubble? I hear that they are performing brain tests on us Earthlings and have plans to blow the planet to smithereens when they're done with us! Now that's an invasion.

What exactly are these "devastating effects" of illegal immigration? Do you have any hard facts on the extent to which they are using public services and draining our resources? Don't these people pay their rent and bills, spend money at our stores and restaurants? They do. They also do certain jobs that Americans don't want to do. Do you want your teenage sons and daughters to have a lucrative career decapitating cattle? How 'bout cleaning toilet bowls for a living? I didn't think so.

I enjoyed your home invasion analogy. Here's another one. What if you could make $300 an hour doing work that you already are trained to do? Well, the job's in Canada. You could start as soon as you get there but you would have to cross the border illegally and obtain false documents. If you get caught, you're sent back here with your family. Would you do it? Maybe not, but I bet a lot of people would seriously consider it and some would definitely do it. Now imagine your family is dirt poor and barely has enough money to put food on the table. Well that's the situation of these illegal immigrants. They can make 10 times as much here as they can in Mexico. The risk of getting caught is far outweighed by the desire to keep their families with a roof over their head and some beans and rice on their plates.

Peggy Palmer wants to get re-elected to the Kansas Senate . It will help her chances if she can show how she's fightin' for us honest, hard working, blue-blooded, patriotic (but not racist) Kansans. However, Senate Bill 458 has been amended to be less severe that originally written. I'm glad to see common sense has prevailed over xenophobic fears.

Please feel free to ask me what part of ILLEGAL immigration I don't understand.

My name - Jose Jimenez!

Posted by Local_Hispanic (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Barb Nichols,
In regards to your comment I would like to add the following;

"Let’s say I break into your house. Upon discovering me in your house, you insist I leave..." If you discovered someone had broken into the house, and you found them right away then press charges.

"But I say “No! I like it here. It is better than my house. Besides, I make the beds, wash dishes, do laundry, sweep the floors, mow lawns and fix the roof. I have done everything you don’t want to do..." Then WHY was this person doing all this stuff? Because you didn't want to it? If someone like a big company/corporation had brought them in to do the work that you didn't want to do, then blame the company.

"...and there is NOTHING you can do about it without being accused of being an uncaring racist and bigot.” If you were to ask every Hispanic in town, I guarranty that the majority would not give you the same answer.

Those last comments are usually referred to the large number of ignorant people who assume that ALL Hispanics/Latinos are illegals.

I do agree that something needs to be done with the immigration issue. The big problem is that there are too many people or groups who want to take things into their own hands without the consent(?) of the government and try to resolve the issue themselves such as the Minutemen and vigilante border patrols.

As you can see this is not just a simple issue that can be resolved within a year or two time period. It will take a long time, because if every non-Hispanic thought the same way as you do then there should have been something in place a long time ago. But as you can see not every non-Hispanic feels the same way and so those are the ones that are pushing for different resolutions thru legislations and big money corporations. I am a Hispanic born and raised here, and yet I still find myself in situations were ignorant people think that I'm illegal. I have been ridiculed, accused, name called and even discriminated just because I'm Hispanic. So where is the justice in that?

Let's say we will get rid of every illegal in the US, NOT JUST Hispanics, as long as we get rid of every ignorant person who thinks that every Hispanic is illegal. But first we will need to determine who is illegal. How far will we need to go back to decide who is illegal or not. If your forefathers came from another country and were not born here then you should be illegal as well. Hmm.. makes you want to think...??

Posted by aguilarg (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jose---- the part of illegal immigration that you don't understand is that they immigrated to the United Stated illegally. They are taking false (bought or stolen) identities. And MY family was directly impacted by that. I contribute the the fund-- for my old age. I contribute to the fund for my old CITIZENS who can no longer work. I DON'T want to contribute to the fund for people who take a hand out.

There. My name-Gaby Aguilar.!!!

Posted by aguilarg (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jose---- the part of illegal immigration that you don't understand is that they immigrated to the United Stated illegally. They are taking false (bought or stolen) identities. And MY family was directly impacted by that. I contribute the the fund-- for my old age. I contribute to the fund for my old citizens who can no longer work. I DON'T want to contribute to the fund for people who take a hand out.

There. My name-Gaby Aguilar.!!!

Posted by tosie (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And nowhere in Barb's article does it state, "hispanic", she is just talking about illegal immigrants in general....this has to do with the "illegal" piece of things, not the color of your skin or your race.....I don't disagree with people wanting to come to America for a better life and doing it the right way, but ILLEGAL means ILLEGAL so I guess that's the part you don't understand Jose....

Posted by JoseJimenez (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gaby, I do understand that they are here illegally and I know how they procure their false documents. I also know that all illegal immigrants have Federal and State taxes taken out of their weekly paychecks just like U.S. citizens do. However, unlike us, they will not see that money return to them as they will never receive Social Security and don't do tax returns.

Posted by JoseJimenez (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I haven't heard too much complaining against those Canadian illegal immigrants.

Posted by JoseJimenez (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's bad about the Canadian illegals is that they take the jobs that Americans actually want! - Jon Swift

Posted by lildarling (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope GARRISONJHALL realizes that WRITING IN ALL CAPITOL LETTERS is obnoxious and doesn't give more validity to your opinion.

Posted by lildarling (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The previous post was my initial reaction to seeing the capitol letters. Having forced myself to read the post, however, I find myself in agreement with GARRISONJHALL. Your opinion is perfectly valid despite your choice in writing style!

Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jose ---However, unlike us, they will not see that money return to them as they will never receive Social Security and don't do tax returns.

If they receive a paycheck with taxes withheld then they receive a W-2 then YES they are able to file for a tax return, why wouldn't they

If you receive a W-2 the IRS gets a copy so obviously the IRS is going to give a refund if due whether they are here illegally or not they have a job and are paying taxes, all they have to do is file a tax return. JUST THINK OF ALL THE FREE EARNED INCOME CREDIT they are also receiving and sending back home. That money doesn't stay here. Wake up!

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Barb, you are a voice of reason in a world gone mad.

The majority of Illegal aliens do NOT want U.S. citizenship. They remain citizens of their home countries while obtaining the benefits offered by the U.S such as employment, medical care, in-state tuition, subsidized housing, and free education for offspring. They want benefits earned and subsidized by you and me without paying the price.

There are no jobs Americans won't do. Illegals seek jobs Americans can't take and still support their families. Illegal aliens take the low wage jobs, live dozens in a single residence home, share expenses and send the money to their home country. There are no jobs Americans won't do for a decent wage.

Every person who illegally entered this nation left a home. They are NOT homeless and they are NOT Americans. They come here to send money to their real home as evidenced by the estimated 45 billion dollars sent out of this nation each year by illegal aliens.

Illegal aliens are NOT critical to our economy. They make up less than 5% of our workforce and reduce wages and benefits for lawful U.S. citizens.

This is NOT an immigrant nation. There are 280 million native born Americans. It is true this nation was settled and founded by (legal) immigrants, it is also true that there is no nation on this planet that wasn't settled by immigrants at one time or another.

The U.S. does welcome legal immigrants. Illegal aliens are not immigrants by definition. They are criminals by definition. The U.S. accepts more lawful immigrants every year than the rest of the world combined.

Mexico is NOT a friend of the United States. During WWI Mexico, allowed German spies to operate freely in Mexico to spy on the U.S. During WWII, Mexico allowed the Axis powers to spy on the U.S. from Mexico. During the cold war years, Mexico allowed spies hostile to the U.S. to operate freely. The 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers were openly cheered and applauded all across Mexico. Today Mexican school children are taught that the U.S. stole California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas from them.

Some illegals do enter this country for a better life. There are 6 billion people on this planet. At least 1 billion of those live on less than one dollar a day. If wanting a better life is a valid reason to break the law and sneak into America, let's allow those one billion to come to America and turn our nation into a third world nation overnight. There are 280 million native born Americans who want a better life. When will the U.S. lifeboat be full and get swamped? Wanting a better life is not a good reason to trash another nation.

It is not racist to want secure borders. It is not racist to not want people sneaking into America to steal benefits set aside for legal immigrants, senior citizens, and children.

Too long; will continue.

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to wake up. A reckoning is coming, and it won't be pretty. Based on government figures:

*The most brutal and fastest growing gang in America is MS13; made up of illegal immigrants.
*$22 Billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year
*$2.2 billion is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegals.
*$2.5 billion a year is spent on medicaid for illegals.
*$12 billion is spent on primary and secondary school education for children of illegal aliens and they can't even speak English!
*$17 billion a year is spent for education for American-born children of illegal aliens, known as "anchor babies".
*$3 million dollars PER DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
*30% of all federal prison inmates are illegal aliens.
*$90 billion dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for welfare and social services by American taxpayers---you and me.
*$200 billion dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by illegal aliens.
*The crime rate in the U.S. is 2 1/2 times that of white non-legal aliens. Their children, produced at five times the rate of Americans, will make a huge additional crime problem in years to come.

What amazes me is that there are U.S. citizens who see no problem with the flood of illegal immigrants. At one time, the American Indian saw no problem with whites entering their land, either. We need to close our borders and crack down on illegal immigrants NOW before it is too late.

Posted by Local_Hispanic (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bjnemp,

Where are you getting your facts, I am just curious? Will I be able to find the numbers for non illegals such as African Americans and Anglos that are on the same welfare, medicaid, WIC, food stamps, reduced lunches, incarcerated and other social services?

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, sure these people are here illeaglly, and I also know that they are paying taxes out of their paychecks too. They can file taxes each year if they get a ITIN #. When they do it, it is done in good faith. When they do their tax returns, 9 times out of 10, they pay in, and that is OK. You all think they send all their money to Mexico, but it is only a small portion and the biggest share is spent here in our country. Paying rent, food, gas for cars, they pay their own medical insurance and their own medical bills too. I really do think some of you are putting your noses in where they don't belong. Like some of these people said in some comments, we all came over to this country illeagally at some time or another. Maybe it was some of our ancestors. As a matter of fact, the Indians and Mexicans were here in Kansas, Texas, Mexico and other surrounding areas before we were. We littrally ran them out of this country and took it over. Do you even know who works the ranches and farms to pick all the vegitables, fruits and such that get put on our tables? Who does the dirty hard jobs that a lot of our own people think they are too good to work? These guys are not afraid to work. It wouldn't hurt for some of you that think you are better then anyone else to get to know some of these people. I know a guy that has been here for almost 10 years and within 6 months of his being here, he learned english very well. He doesn't go out drinking, drugging and getting into trouble. And by the way, they don't all come across the border with drugs and other such things. They are not coming here with intentions of blowing up buildings and such. Your all running scared. Gosh people, get to know some of these people. And for you all that say they are coming here and taking your jobs, Wrong! If some of you lazy complainers out there would go get those jobs no one wants, these jobs wouldn't be available fot them to have. I know you all will be angry at me for this, but it does make me very angry to know that people put people down without understanding how they feel. It is hard for some of them to get to come across leagally, and they need money for paper work and other such stuff to get leagle, and in Mexico, they donw' have money for all that. Familys are hungry and some of these guys feel no other recorse. I am not a Mexican, but I have a lot of them as my friends and I Love them all. They would do anything for someone if it was needed. Don't be so hard on them. They are not using the system like so many of you think.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Many crimes committed throughout history were by people who felt they were justified in breaking the law. Heck, my neighbor has more than me, he'll never miss it, so I guess I'm justified to just help myself illegally to some of what is his.

Nobody said that every illegal comes here either with drugs or to blow things up. But some do. So, what should we do, ignore everyone just because most are legit? Heck, lets just do away with police totally. After all, in a nation of 300 million people, surely 90 percent of them are decent, law abiding people.

Anyone remember all the immigrant protests and marches last fall? Waving the Mexican flag, proclaiming that they were going to "retake" the southwest US?

As for the $$, there's plenty of info out there.....

http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscale...

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/immigratio...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/art...

http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/...

http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pa...

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As for the immigrants doing their taxes, yes they do. Again, they can get a ITIN # and it will be OK. But as for the earned income credit, if he people who know how to do their taxes for them must know that the tax form has to be on a 1040NR which is a non resident form. They are not allowed to get the earned income credit. Of course, if their is a baby born to them here in the states, and the baby is legale, I don't really know about that if they get earned income credit or not. But I don't think so. Not sure. For those of you out there, don't be afraid to do your taxes, but get your ITIN # and if and when you ever get leagle, that number will follow you and when you get your legal SSN, the ITIN# will be taken taken from your record on taxes as you will then use your leagle SSN. You may have to pay in, but it is a mor of a good faith thing then anything. I have been checking this stuff out on the immigration sights on this matter. Forgive some of my spelling.

Posted by Observation (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It will not be until this country is completely lawless that this mess call be resolved. When only one side has to abide by the law there can be no resolution. Hide and watch!

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, Mistyblu, the facts speak for themselves. Our nation and our people, particularly the middle class, are suffering because millions of illegal aliens are streaming across the border like cockroaches seeking sugar. Now we are overrun by cockroaches. I don't care how "nice" someone is, if they illegally break into my home they must understand there will be consequences. Illegal aliens are not pitiful pilgrims. They are criminals and predators and should be dealt with as such. These people don't want to be Americans. They don't even fly the American flag; they wave the Mexican flag during marches, on their homes, and on their vehicles. The other day, right here in Emporia, I passed a "tricked out" pickup truck with a sign in the rear window that read "Don't hate me because I'm Mexican. Hate me because I'm better than you." Nice attitude, Jose. Learn to speak English, stop waving the Mexican flag in my face, and stop bankrupting our economy. Perhaps then we can find some reason to empathize. Until then, deportation or incarceration are the two most effective options.

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the man who put the different web sights up here, this is all very interesting I think. I have a very kind and soft heart. I do not want problems, but you see the article that has given visas to people coming here to suppossedly go to school. These are just ways for some of the other countries to get into our country to harm us. I read somewhere that some of these arabs and other people from other countries like Iraq and other places go into Mexico and learn their language then they find their their way into Canada and come across from there as it is easier to get across from there then it is from Mexico.

Posted by SpamGangrene (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In my opinion, the furor over illegal immigration is an election year ploy by the conservatives to draw attention away from how badly they have mismanaged the country over the last few years. No substantive changes will come out of all of the political posturing on this issue. The bottom line is that illegal immigration keeps labor costs down, and that is all that big business cares about. What big business wants, big business gets. Period.

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know, I really do understand where you all are coming from on these issues. I also do want to read all your oppinions on this subject, and to a certain extent, we are all right in our feelings to a point. We wouldn't be the country that we are if we all thought alike. And too again, I do love reading all the different web sights on this matter too. I have a question for those of you that like taking trips. Do or have any of you went to Mexico for a trip? They have some beautiful places for vacations. We at some time or another have taken a trip to Mexico for vacation or other reasons. Some people just go across the border just to buy things as they can get stuff cheaper there when they see what they like. I have been there but not for vacation, but to meet my inlaws and such. Though I am not married to the guy now, those are wonderful memories I will never forget. I never spoke Spanish and they never spoke english, but somehow, we all got along so well. I Loved it and they Loved me. If I didn't have the health problems I have, I would have loved to live there. But I need to much medically. I have adopted 2 children from South Korea, and they are adults now and have Beautiful children of their own. I do Love different nationalities. It is interesting to see and learn the different ways people have to live. Here in our own USA, we also have people that have problems too and use the system so bad. And they are here because it is their country too. How sad is our world? Thanks to all of you for your input. I put a lot of faith is us as people that things will eventually turn out as they should.

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Local_Hispanic: All my facts came from the website at http://transcripts.cnn.com. And, yes, facts are available there for "non illegal African Americans and Anglos" who receive welfare, WIC, medicaid, reduced lunches, etc. And guess what: that is exactly who is supposed to receive those taxpayer produced benefits---legal U.S. citizens of all races. Those programs and charitable benefits are funded by hard working American taxpayers to help fellow American citizens and are NOT meant for people who are in our country illegally. The only benefit an illegal alien deserves is a free bus ride to the border or to a jail cell.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 26, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Concerning the quote "the furor over illegal immigration is an election year ploy by the conservatives".....

Where have you been the last several years? Asleep?

Your absolutely right. Republican politicians want illegal immigration for business.

And Democrat politicians want illegal immigration for the votes, to stay in power.

This mess is the fault of BOTH sides. If it's all about conservatives for business, then why are so many Democrats pushing for amnesty?

I agree with you that little if anything will get done. Regardless of which party is in power, for the reasons above.

Oh, that's right, I forgot for a sec - everything is Bush's fault..... geesh.......

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps we should adopt MEXICO's immigration laws. It is a felony there. And Mexico deports more illegals annually than the US....

Try
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?i...

or

http://www.newswithviews.com/Slagle/john...

Posted by chuckrobledo (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of what this article suggests is completely inane...none of it reflects reality. I have neither the inclination nor the time to educate you so I suggest you do your own research and not rely on the rampant ignorance that one can find on the 'internet'...

I see after all these years the Emporia Gazette hasn't veered far from its roots...

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chuckrobledo: PLEASE muster the time and inclination to educate we ignorant less-informed types. It sounds like you have all the answers and could save us hours of internet time. The sheep need a shepherd and you appear to be the self-proclaimed leader of the flock.

Posted by jdserrano1 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow. Adios Emporia! Now that the Somalians were sent packing, you're back to picking on the Mexicans because they're all illegal right? Every brown skinned person in Emporia is illegal. Holy cow! This can't be the sum of your existence or the sum of Emporia's existence is it? I get that illegal immigration is a hot topic but know your facts and don't assume that everything you read on-line is in fact the truth. Don't be so naive. Bring on the hate people - So glad my kids are not being raised there any longer - I know ,I know - you're so clever - I'll wait for whatever genius you can articulate in my direction.

Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

might i remind EVERYONE here..that unless you are american indian, you are an immigrant or the descendant of one.
if you came here illegally and intend to stay, do the proper paperwork to become part of the citizenship of this country. learn our ways, learn our language, and please obey the laws.
if you came here and intend to work and go back home, please work hard, enjoy our country, but do not detract from it by being ignorant and suggesting that we should be inclined to follow your ways instead of our own. then go back home when you are done.
if you are here illegally and intend to do none of the above, hope that the ICE (new INS) doesn't find you. they had four vans in the wal mart parking lot a few weeks ago, looking for people.
america does and should welcome people of all backgrounds, because that is what made this country what it was and pretty much still is today. if those of you of hispanic descent take offense at what i've said...please read my whole reply and find one place where i've referred to anything other than "people". as i read through what barb stated above, i found no words as for whom this was intended. remember, the US has a horrible problem with illegal immigrants of all nationalities. if you are taking offense and throwing a "flag" over it, shame on you.
remember the question....would you call the police if a burglar broke into your house and stayed there? it's a simple yes or no

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm just curious. Which part of this article and the subsequent posts stated that every brown-skinned person is illegal?
Also, which of the "rampant ignorance found on the internet" posted above is false? Is it all the government and other studies that show the cost of illegal immigration? Or is it the articles that all point out how strict Mexico's immigration laws are in contrast to our own? Apparently, you believe otherwise, but for some reason, you "don't have the time or inclination to educate us"...... I guess we're back to the old argument that you can find info anywhere and everywhere on the internet to support both sides of the argument. And, again, it's up to a person to use his/her own reason and powers of discernment to sift thru it and decide what is true and what is false. But you don't have the time or inclination to show us what Mexico's immigration laws truly are, (apparently how lax and welcoming they are to illegal immigrants), nor do you have the time or inclination to point out the wealth of studies that show what a boon illegal immigration is to the US - how the gov would basically be bankrupt if it wasn't for all the wonderfull $$$ surplus that illegal immigration brings us.

Interesting......

Posted by create (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, Chuckrobledo, I can't wait to see all your solutions.

Mistiblu says, "If some of you lazy complainers out there would go get those jobs no one wants, these jobs wouldn't be available fot them to have." Kiddo, if those jobs paid a decent wage with which people could raise a family, they'd be taken. I believe Bj already said that.

Also, Mexico needs to seek ways to beef up her economic frailties. Yes, families are hungry, but Mexico doesn't seem to care. One more thing, and I will catch flak for this, but if people in Mexico are starving, it's time for them to start thinking about having less family members ala birth control! If my family were starving, the last thing I'd be thinking about is having another child to feed. This is madness!!!

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Shame on you, jdserrano. People who have no defense whatsoever to an argument or accusation tend to play the "race card" in desperation. I am not racist and have no animosity against Mexicans or other Hispanics. Heck, my favorite Aunt is Costa Rican! My daughter's best friend is Hispanic as are my next door neighbors for the last 4 years. They are all lovely, productive, honest, hard working people whom I love dearly. You know what else? They are in this country LEGALLY! That makes them Americans and due all the respect and benefits due any American citizen. Illegal aliens of any race, color, or nationality, are breaking the law and destroying my way of life, my nation's economy, and a national culture and heritage bought and paid for with the lives of a million American citizens who gave their lives to keep this nation free from invaders. Don't call me a racist; call me a patriot.

Posted by Local_Hispanic (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As SpamGangrene posted..."In my opinion, the furor over illegal immigration is an election year ploy by the conservatives to draw attention away from how badly they have mismanaged the country over the last few years."
Yes, That could be true. But this has been going on for longer than that.
..."The bottom line is that illegal immigration keeps labor costs down, and that is all that big business cares about. What big business wants, big business gets..."

I think you hit the nail on the head! Yeah I know there are jobs out there that people don't want to do, so are we supposed to wait for the employers to raise the labor wages? Guess what, we are going to run out of produce before wages go up. And if the wages do go up, anything such as construction, factory or farming will go up in price as well. We know that the wages will stay the same, and if not we will see these big companies just pick up and go elsewhere. Have we seen this done before?

Everyone is feeling the effects of the high cost of gas now a days, unless you're one of the fortunate ones who doesn't care if gas goes up to $4 a gallon or more because you're financially secure. I applaud you for that, but for the average middle class citizen the price can cause an effect on where to spend your money more wisely.

And to Bjnemp, you seem to aim your comments or points toward Hispanics and not the other "illegals" here. So if the Hispanic illegals left who will you blame then? And I have not yet heard of anything about how many "Anchor babies" that are over seas helping fight the war. Or are they spies for the Taliban?

And as for the protest marches, unless you were there at the meetings personally, they were supposedly organized to a point. But when you get a group of people trying to demonstrate their freedom of speech, and you have another group protesting that, then yes you are going to have friction. I myself didn't agree with the outcome of the first march, in fact i voiced my displeasure with the organizers and then got involved with the second march which went over well. But if the organizers would have had better control during the first march, then we would have never had to have the 2nd one!

You are always going to have those few people who want to rally up the troops without knowing what the outcome could be. And I see it again with the Tyson layoffs.

Finally, I would like to thank the gazette for letting us have this comment area to voice our opinions.

Posted by dick (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If all of the Hispanic's who have posted comments on this blog stepped forward and took all these illegals we have here alone and explained to them that the way to get along here in the United State is to get yourselves legal and speak English they wouldn't have near the trouble they think they have. There are enough beginning to get a gut full of this and it's not just the Mexican illegal. When you get the increase in property taxes we are experiencing here in Emporia and Lyon County doesn't make it any easier to swallow when we know a large amount is to pay for a bunch of the illegals needs. School is a good example along with health care.

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I know that some of these jobs don't pay well and raising a family is rough. But you can go out and take one of these jobs and if you need to take on another part time job, so be it. I know from experience that I worked in a nursing home and couldn't afford insurance for my children. Not to mention my own medical. But somehow, I made it work. I only had two adopted children. I know that not all Mexicans have a big family. There are some of them that have enough brains to take birthcontrol as they do realize they can't afford so many babies. Now about the Mexicans all being Happy in Mexico because the Twin Towers were blown up, were you in Mexico watching them praise that job being done? The ones I know from there and here were shocked and very angry that this happened. It shows them that the other countries like Iran, Iraq and other countries who have things against different places and people can cause so much destruction in our world. Don't blame the Mexicans for all the bad stuff that happens. What next? Will it be their fault that our gas prices and food prices have gone up too? The countries that want to fight our country is to blame. I am not crazy about Bush sending our guys out to fight the war, but he is trying to keep those people from coming here and causing more destruction. I do believe that there is good and bad in evey country. It is ashamed that the inocent get blamed because of some of the guilty. I do agree that the border needs to be more secure. And I also know that some of them who do make trouble here in our country do get sent back to their own country. But when they are not using or harming and have no record, why give them flack? You all have good and bad points and as for calling them rude names, that is not right either. As far as them carrying the flag of their country in a march, I have also seen them carrying a USA flag too in those Marches. Letting people know that they are proud of their country and that they also are proud to be in the USA. Once they do become legal, in time, they really do want to get their citizenship. But they should also be able to go back to Mexico and visit their families on vacations and be safe too.

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You are back to the race card, Serrano. I tend to single out hispanics as illegal immigrants because there are forty million of them in our country. I suspect there aren't a half million illegals of all other nationalities combined. Immigrants from other countries tend to come in legally, speak English, obey the law, possess good educations, have less children than fingers, and not abuse government entitlement programs. I harbor no ill will toward hispanics but I have a very low tolerance level for anyone in our nation illegally. Illegal means against the law, Against the law means outlaw. Outlaw means criminal. Comprender?

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, Gas prices and food are getting outragous too. All those people in congress could care less because they have money to play with. Some of them even feel it is OK to use the government money to pay for their prostutes and such and other doings they choose to do that taxpayers are paying for. And people wonder why our country is losing so much The money that should be getting used to take care of certain programs is being flaundered on their own personal use. I don't think the Mexicans or even illeagles have anything to do with that. Look at what Spitzer has done, and just recently another government official has admitted to this, and what about some of the others that we know nothing about? And they or we all wonder why our country is losing so much money which is not getting to the programs they belong to. That sort of stuff is just as bad or maybe even worse then what the Mexicans are doing.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This argument is so predictable you can set your watch by it.

First, someone reminds us all that we are all immigrants (duh - while you're at it, please remind me that the sky is blue) - and therefore everyone deserves to come here and take whatever they want - no matter what the law is, there's always a justification somewhere for breaking it.

Second, someone points out that not only is it against the law, they also point out the high cost of illegal immigration and the burden on our finances, and that in the early days immigrants didn't have the plethora of gov services to take advantage of. And someone demands proof.

Third, someone shows plenty of evidence and studies to verify the above.

Fourth, the all info is dismissed as "internet ignorance", while at the same time they claim they don't have the time or inclination to show any data to the contrary.

Fifth, and what if always comes down to, since they don't have the time or inclination to do any research, throw out the race card. Regardless of how you stand by LEGAL immigrants of all races/nationalities/ethnicities, suddenly everyone against ILLEGAL immigration thinks that all brown-skinned people are illegals, and everyone hates everyone of a different skin color, because after all every one of them is either a bum or a terrorist.

Oh, and I almost forgot, it's all Bush's fault.

Some things never change... (sigh).....

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

open-eyes, I read your comments. I am not making fun of you, but I feel like telling you the sky is blue, but actually, today is is a bit gloomy out today. And the sigh at the end of your comment. I Loved it. You sound pretty cool. Really, there is enough blame to go around to all congress, government and other such persons. I know this all is not a laughig matter, but don't get your blood pressure up over what I or anyone else says on this page. We are only stating our own oppinions and we all have our own feelings about different subjects. Thanks for your coolness too. I really did Love it.

Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So true, openeyes; so true. But we all know it is a major, possibly fatal, problem that needs to be addressed yesterday. We know who is at fault. It is us, the people. We elected the useless bureaucrats who run the country and we don't hold their feet to the fire to see they do a good job. Every American needs to stand up and get VERY vocal with their elected officials. Votes talk. If we don't, my cousin who owns a small ranch near the border in Texas, assures me countless unmarked graves will soon begin surfacing in the desert just north of the Rio Grande. I suspect some are already there. It's happened before. When the people can't get action, they eventually will take action.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks misty. Sorry if I sound sarcastic at times - but it DOES get tiring listening to a broken record. I wasn't really trying to single any one poster out - just point out that the discussion always follows the same pattern.
But you're right - ya got me on the blue sky - but hey, I found out that the sky was blue on the Internet, so obviously I have nobody to blame but my own ignorance on that one :) LOL

Posted by eattheapple25 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as Emporia is impacted the only problem I have with illigal Mexican community is that it is illegal. However, it is to be admired the sense of family that they bring with them. Consider the alternative, they do not cause the problems that the refugees caused and that our "leadership" refused to address. As far as who is to blame, we all are. Regardless of our political ideals and afiliations, we elected the leaders that refuse to do anything that is vital in this situation. Same as we allow Emporia's "leadership" to get away with greasing the squeaky wheels that hold us back from progress. For example donated land that our fairgrounds sit on instead of moving in the direction that would have benefited this city. I am guilty as well.
I would be entertained to read any hateful emails you might want to send. eattheapple25@gmail.com

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

See open-eyes, you are so cool and I really do Love a sense of humor too even though these postings are very serious. Thanks Anain, Take care now. And you are not ignorant. Keep up your sense of humor. Thanks again to you. LOL back at ya. (:-)

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

eatheapple25, Like you said, we are all to blame for this which is going on here. I have quite a few friends that are her not leagally, and I have lots of friends otherwise too, but when I had my last 3 or 4 surgeries and needed and still do need help and can't afford to pay people, these illeagles steped in and did for me what I couldn't do for myself. Grateful? Yes, very much. I am eventually looking at being on dialisys and again, they will be there for me no matter what. I very much apprecieate all these people and other friends do for me. I just wish I could pay for the help. But if I try to pay what little I may be able to pay if and when I do, they will not accept. And like open-eyes, he is so cool, and I can tell you have a kind heart too. We will all get what we want in the end and faith and Love will get us all through these times and feelings which we all have a right to. We all need to take one day at a time. That is how I have to do. and eattheapple25, is that the red delicious, or other brand? (:-) LOL I like your name too. Please don't be angry at me for that little comment. I am only trying to lighten up the day through all the grimness we have been hearing.

Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wow, you folks need a hobby

maybe it's not the fact that it's so obvious and it stares most of us in the face every day, but it's the "why" to it.....
the fact that we are all immigrants but we cast stones at the ones who are illegal makes us totally ignorant of the one thing that separates them from us...the "legal" title. it's the only thing that everybody seems to skip over time after time. I have absolutely no troubles with anybody wanting to immigrate anywhere legally. just take responsibility for your actions and do the paperwork.

even for those who want to work here on a temporary basis, it's sooooo simple. do the paperwork. thousands if not tens of thousands of US citizens do it every year, going to canada, mexico, and europe to work, then to return home when they want to.

open eyes and the rest..if somebody murdered your spouse, or brother, or child...what makes that illegal act any different? or would you just walk away and say "oh, it's ok, they are just misunderstood, please let them go on living like nothing has happened".

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dhcc66 - Excuse me? YOU'RE posting here, is YOUR hobby not keeping you busy enough?
I really have no clue as to what your last paragraph is saying directed at me.
I agree totally with what you said up to that point, besides your hobby snipe, which apparently you need one also.
So have you read any of this so far? Do you know who you are asking what?

Posted by eattheapple25 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mistyblu09,
No problem with the joke, I do have a sense of humor. There are several reasons for both sides of the argument that I find valid just like there are several that are asinine.

Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

open eyes.
i work. i have hobbies. one of them is watching some of the crazy stuff that gets going on here. obviously you are too sensetive to be on here, or at least on this topic.
the post was directed at EVERYBODY. the jist of it is.... is it ok to choose which laws to enforce and which to ignore. i don't think so.
as for the sniping...i seem to remember quite a bit of sarcasm in your earlier postings. if you can't take the fire, stay out of the posting logs.

Posted by trucks_boats (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is my two cents: I am Hispanic, I am not playing a race card or any card but this is just my observation after many years. I have worked with the public for many years in Emporia. Maybe I have helped some of you posting comments at one time or another. I have been in a profession that has been devoted to helping human kind, all human kind. It is very discouraging that after many years working so closely with the public I feel that we are taking a millions steps back, not forward. Unless you are going around asking every Hispanic person for “papers”, how do you know if they an illegal or not? It has become very dishearting, very uncertain for me to see a future for myself and family in Emporia. For some people, I am sure that will leave you very accomplished. Frequently I am floored by some people’s comments to me. When people comment about “those Mexicans” have they forgotten I am one of “those Mexicans”? Maybe for a moment? I love this community but more and more everyday I spend less energy on being upset by this and spend more energy thinking about packing my bags. My children will likely be exposed to this kind of trash in Any town, USA but at least we could be in a new city with the added bonus of the arts, culture, more educational opportunities, and shopping. There are so many wonderful people in this community that are committed to helping others. Everyday I am reminded of this. To those that are committed to only themselves I feel sorry for you. You will never know the joy that is service.

Posted by alfalfa (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I probably should just keep silent on this one, but I want to get my 2 cents worth in. The operative word here is "illegal". I don't believe either party has any intentions of actually doing anything about illegals in this nation. They are too important to big business because big business can work them cheaply. Everyone, immigrants and native born citizens would be better off if the government cracked down on illegal immigration, because it would force employers to pay a living wage, at least I think it would. However, the alternative might be they would just move their plants overseas, or at least over the Rio Grande. When the 2008 election is over, I will be shocked if anything is done to change the situation with our open borders in any meaningful way.

My biggest problem, and it will get me labeled as a racist bigot, is that on a personal level I worry America and in particular the area we live in will not resemble a unified nation in 10-15 years, with one unifying language and culture. I think it is great to honor the culture and language of the nation you came from, but I want you to also learn our language and become Americans, that doesn't mean to forget your roots, I respect wanting to hold on to your culture, but I don't want a foreign language or culture to root out my values and language. No one ever asked those of us born here if we wanted to become a multi-cultural society, we never got to vote on that. It doesn't make me a racist to want America to stay America.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dh - you specifically asked ME - by name - if somebody murdered my spouse.....etc...... I would have thought that it was pretty clear from my posts where I would stand on that. I couldn't understand why you would specifically direct that question at me - you did mention "and the rest" - but you mentioned me directly. Sorry if I took that wrong, I read it to mean that I would be in the camp of those that would walk away and say it's ok. Perhaps it would have been clearer, if you were going to specifically name someone, to name someone that seems to think it IS ok to pick and choose which laws to enforce. Then maybe it wouldn't have been so confusing.

I also think its rather funny that people post here, and then someone else takes the time to post and tell people they need to get a hobby. Kinda ironic, don't cha think? I mean, when I go to church, I don't stand there and tell everyone else church is a waste of their time, and they need to find something more constructive to do........ that's the point that vexed me.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people care - very much - about this country, it's future, and their children's future. They care about the current political situation, they care about the future this country will provide for their children. And they discuss it, on forums like this. Some people think everyone here needs to get a hobby, and they read it "for fun". That's fine. To each their own. I may disagree, sometimes quite a bit, with other points of view, I may think their point of view is even nonsense, but I don't dismiss HAVING a point of view as nonsense . I care too much about this country and its future. If you don't give a rats a$$, then, yes, get a hobby. But don't tell people that care to go get a hobby. Unless you think next election everyone should just stay home with their hobbies instead of getting out and voting?

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, had a little time to chill, I admit I get a little fired-up on certain topics. And get my feathers ruffled overly so. Apologize to all for taking the thread down the rabbit hole. (Alice in Wonderland, in case anyone wonders).
Back to my hobbies.... LOL

Posted by mistyblu09 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To trucks_boats, don't you dare take off and leave where you are living for so long. You have the right to live here too. My daughter is a Korean and she is worried that her child will get flack too as she gets older. Some people ore not too nice and we all must stay strong. Picking up and leaving only hurts the family and makes everyone else feel like they got one out and we will work on another one. Really, these people that are posting on here are not as bad as they sound. Sorry your feelings are hurt. That is very much not something that should happen to anyone. alfalfa, we do get to vote, but how much does the government really listen. I don't speak spanish, but I really like hearing the spanish talk, and we can still keep our culture and they can still keep their culture. No one is really pushing anyone elses culture down out throats. Well, there goes my spelling again. We are all making our little comments, and people, if we take everything to heart and let it hurt out feelings, we would all be in some deep trouble. open_eyes and eattheapple25 are pretty cool, so even if they say things, it is not meant to hurt people. That is my opinnion of them. I like them, though I am sure they don't agree with my views on things. But really, we all mean well.

Posted by open_eyes (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

truck_boats, please don't leave. Our community needs more people like you. If everyone had your attitude, much of the worlds problems, including this one, would disappear.

But the stark reality is that unfortunately, that is NOT the world we live in today. In a utopian society, there would be no need for police or borders. But our world has problems. Laws are passed to protect people and societies. And ignoring a law just because it doesn't benefit you is not the answer. Yes, obeying the law is often less productive and takes longer. But that is what a people and a society must do to exist and co-exist. As someone pointed out earlier, there exist legal avenues and paperwork one can do to legally be in this country. I could work and save money for several years to buy the car or house of my dreams - or I could just steal it now. Yeah, I know, working and saving takes longer, but that is the lawful route, so that is the route I will take. Otherwise, if in my mind I justify my stealing it from someone, then how can I argue against someone later coming and stealing it from me? That is the hypocritical thing I see about Mexico's stance on immigration and their immigration laws - it's ok if ours are super-tough, but yours has no right to be. Because you have more than me, and I want it. Now.

Posted by glarson (Gwen Larson) on March 28, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Time to close this thread and move it to news forums. The link is here:

http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/ope...