I am really digging on the ideals that Flobots, and this organization are putting out.
I do wonder if you are in support of amnesty for illegal immigrants, and condone the further addition
of those who seem to have no real understanding of what it means to be an American.
Many of my friends are Americans of Mexican and other racial backrounds, so this is not about Race.
They feel very much that illegal immigration is a problem as well.
I strongly believe that we need to have a country of people that are proud of it. If this organization is
for illegal immigration than I can assure you that it will not have my support, nor the support of my afformentioned friends.
I do believe that there should be a better path to citizenship.
Please give your thoughts:
Hi - welcome to this space. I think that this text, taken from the main page of this site, might be helpful:
"Fight with Tools is a project of Flobots.org, a non-profit whose mission is to create a community of empowered music fans, Street Teams, that are actively engaged in social change in their communities. Fight with Tools is a non-partisan community that welcomes and values all who are willing to honor our Street Team Code of Conduct.
Any opinions expressed on Fight with Tools are those of the members and do not necessarily reflect those of Flobots.org or Fight with Tools. Flobots.org and Fight with Tools do not endorse or oppose any political candidate, party or specific legislation.
We're glad you're here. Join us and together we will change the world!"
Immigration is definitely a complex issue. I'm guessing that folks on here fall all over the spectrum in terms of what we think about immigration and why. The organization doesn't have a stance though, so you might want to open the question up to what we, as individuals, think...if you want to have a discussion. :)
I, personally, want to be proud of my community - and my country, but there are a lot of realities - past and present - that I'm not proud of. That could be an interesting discussion too.
Thanks for your reply and the info.
I am very proud to be an American, and not in a they took our jobs kind of way.
The reality on the ground is that we need change in this country on many levels.
I really want to be an active part of positive change going forward, as do many of
the folks I associate with. There is however a feeling of disgust brewing among
many of us that we are giving away that which we so desperately love. This issue
will be amongst the most difficult and profound that will confront our country in
the next Ten years, and I am not sure what the best route is. I do hope we can
come to some realistic middle ground.
I'm wondering if you've had particular experiences that are fueling this disgust you're feeling. ? I can't relate to that feeling, so I'm trying to understand what's behind it for you.
I think it's important for us to learn to understand each other and relate honestly, but with humility. I can see, for example, how some people might feel like your family and my family have taken away that which they love very much. Do you know what I mean? I'm thinking about people whose families were here before our young country was founded....or of our free trade policies, and how they impact the economies - and therefore the families - of our neighbors to the south.....
I realize that we stole this land in the beggining. However, we now live in a land that is based on laws
and democracy. It's by no means a perfect system, but I have yet to see one with more promise.
The disgust is based on people who enter this country illegally, and then show a lack of respect for this country, because they have nothing vested here. I can give many examples of how this is hurting our country. Here is one:
I as well as my wife are in the financial field. She has more contact with the average citizen than I do.
On almost a daily basis she encounters people who try and use false Social Security information to open accounts. So the problem does not end at crossing the border illegally. It leads to one law after another being broken. Also, why should I as an english speaking American, born and raised need to cater to another language being spoken by those that don't. I see that you are learning spanish, and more power to you. But those that speak spanish should not get jobs over and above others for purely this reason. And I can assure you they do. I think many of the problems to the south could be fixed if the folks there became active in their politics. But as it stands we are living on a one way street.
Another example of why this is bothering people would be medical services, and education. We as tax payers are paying for the care and education of these folks. I don't want you to think that I am Anti-immigration, because that is just not true. In fact I believe that legal immigration is just what this country needs. The fact is that in order to be a part of the American system, you must contribute. You should speak the language (English), and be a productive member of society. If you look into the immigration laws of other countries many are far more strict than ours. My point is this:
If I decide to move to another country, I will learn the language of that country, and abide by the rules of that place. As it stands many resources are being used and abused. If you ask a legal immigrant to this country I believe most agree.
If you go to Mexico, you will find that it is a beatiful country, with many resources of it's own. I am not sure that coming here is the answer for the Mexican people. I do not believe that we are oppressing the Mexican people, and the answer to their problems lie within their borders.
As long as we remain complacent the problem will only get worse, and if there is no path to assimilation into the American system, the system itself is doomed to fail, and as much as the thought might ammuse some, it would be a tragedy for the whole world.
Remember, although we do live in a flawed society, for thousands of years prior to it's creation Monarchs, and Men (for the most part) ruled the world. It's only in the last 200 years that we as Americans hve paved the way for free speech, thought, and action. Think what you will about the sins of the past, and those that exist now. At least we are able to talk openly about ideas. And try to make a difference. I'm sure that many will disagree with me on this issue, but that is your right, and it's this system that makes it so.
I think your cuase is noble and as an mexican american resident, i've noticed a trend that a lot of imigrants have been moving back to thier respective countries due to the economic crysis. now i've noticed this trend both localy and nationaly and all i'm really trying to state is that perhaps immigration is a problem but we should be concentrating our efforts to our economy and government. in my honest opinoin if our economy contues to fall i really dont see why anyone would want to come to the U.S. or anyone illigal stay.
Thank you for your comment.
I am a Financial Advisor, so I fully understand how badly the economy is suffering.
I think the example that you give of people leaving because the economy is bad underscores the theme of this thread. I think patriotism, and community come from a deep love of your home. Indeed if people want to be a part of this great country, they should love it enough to fight for it, and come together as a nation in times like this. We as a country have been through times like these before, and will undoubtedly be through them again. Indeed it is these times that strengthen us in the long term.
We live in a world now where prosperity can be found anywhere. I would say that the key is for all of the people that are discontented with there respective lands should rise up and make the world a better place, rather than wait for the U.S. to step in and make, or should I say try to make it happen.
That's not to say that we should not help when possible to actually make a positive contribution.
yeah you are completly right, i guess i'm just a bit (to be honest) a little scared with everything going on in the world today especially the U.S. not to mention the collapse of mexico itself and obama not returning the troops from over seas. i feel concerend and i would like to contribute, but at 18 and without a job i feel a bit helpless.
Well I think the world is an Ocean Liner and not a speed boat. It's going to take a while to turn around. I'm not a fan of ever having gone into Iraq, but we can't just bail overnight or there will be even more dire results. As far as being 18 w/o a job and feeling helpless, I think we have all been there at some point. You just hve to put forth your best effort and go for it. You will probably fall on your face a couple times, as we all do, but pick yourself up and keep going. In the end I think that a fortune cookie I once saw said it best.
"Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or nation"
probably a quote from someone prior - but true none the less.
Good luck on the job hunt.
I have been in the position to hire before, and I can tell you if there is a job you want do the following.
Dress nice, Talk to the manager, and call back twice, if you don't have the job by then go back dressed nice to see the manager. If they don't hire you than it's their loss.
Repeat as needed you will get hired :)
I know that this is a little off topic from the posted thread...But I wanted to comment on your "18 w/o a job and feeling helpless" comment.
DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your expectations guide what you do in life! Us teens need to stop thinking that we aren't powerful simply because we haven't been alive as long as everyone else. Age is just a number and if you disregard it, people will be left wondering how such a young looking person acts so mature. I'm only a lowly seventeen year old...but I have held the same job since I was fourteen, and I volunteer with refugees up to five days a week. It's all your choice...
And as far as the job, I would suggest hitting up restaurants in your area. Restaurants are constantly turning over their staffs, and a lot of the people in the restaurant business aren't necessarily the most reliable employees. Plus, tips in most restaurants will get you even as much as triple the money that you would make in the minimum wage hourly kind of job.
what's the first word in "illegal immigrant?"
illegal. what else is illegal? selling drugs, stealing, and so on.
there is a reason why the country has an immigration process and only so many people are allowed in yearly. it because with an open border the job market would crash... even more then it is. that's just simple economics, supply and demend.
That is my point exactly.
I think that a clear line needs to be drawn.
Those that are out there saying that we should just say if your here than your safe
are missing the point. As I have stated I am not anti-immigration at all. It is the line jumping,
and the attitude that somehow they have the right to be here, and do what they want that
is upsetting. This coupled with the idea that we should learn a new language, and cowtow
to the needs of people that are uninvited guests makes this a hot button issue.
Those out there that are flaunting the attitude that we are here so get use to it are doing the
whole community a dis-service. For those out there that believe we can not deport them all.
I have this for you to ponder. If my government calls me and asks me to drive a bus to the
border, I will.
I know that there are those out there that would think I am being bigotted or harse, but those
people should understand that tax paying citizens are getting the short end of this stick.
If you do not aggree, than take a trip to the nearest emergency room, and take a look at the
reality of this situation. I know people that work for the hospital, and they tell me that there
are 50-60 people at a time using the same stolen or fake social security number to get treated
for non-emergency issues, and then never pay.
that point about the emergancy room is pretty true, may not be as bad as 50-60, but yes, you usually see alot of illegal immigrants in the state hospital er's.
why? cause in state hospitals you cannot be refused treatment, and if you dont pay, the federal government picks up the bill after a couple years.
if you wonder how i know this, it's because im a Medical Assistant, and i have a friend that's an OR Tech.