tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post4428364539787224736..comments2023-05-30T05:54:48.988-04:00Comments on kingston progressive: SANCTUARY CITIES: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATIONMike Madsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14527557594630435730noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-87622374364950543132008-08-09T02:49:00.000-04:002008-08-09T02:49:00.000-04:00Actually, with all honesty. The factor of race and...Actually, with all honesty. The factor of race and skin color really shouldnt be an issue. <BR/>If you isolate each country individually where illegal immigrants come from into Ulster County, the highest number come from Ireland. Its when you lump the groups into ethnic demographics when the public associates hispanic and asian immigrants as the main groups breaking the law.<BR/>Because our southern border is with a country who's leadership urges its citizens to cross the border by night as the economic solution, we tend to focus alot of resources to combat those who do so, the middle european and russian illegals tend to be "overstays". <BR/>So it would appear to be an opportunty for our law enforcement officers with a weak constitution to act less-than-respectful to those who may appear diferent.<BR/><BR/>I wish it werent so for any situation. Thanks for the observation.Mike Madsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14527557594630435730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-90750581076137173362008-08-08T09:36:00.000-04:002008-08-08T09:36:00.000-04:00Seems like we are promoting discrimination and har...Seems like we are promoting discrimination and harassment - should someone's race, national orgin, citizenship status, club membership, economic assets any different than sexual orientation -human rights - be consistent Alderman Mike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-22360433849579084312008-08-08T05:07:00.000-04:002008-08-08T05:07:00.000-04:00Mike,Thanks for the open forum and we will have la...Mike,<BR/>Thanks for the open forum and we will have laughs later.<BR/>I'm just a strong believer in Mark Twain's quote," Allow me to establish a society with my superstitions and prejuidices, and I won't even have to make any of their laws."<BR/>People who deal with some issue up close often have a different view than the outside observer.Peace...smittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-20290595637851263352008-08-07T22:35:00.000-04:002008-08-07T22:35:00.000-04:00Ted and Smitty;All anyone is asking is go through ...Ted and Smitty;<BR/>All anyone is asking is go through the process that legal immigrants have done before them.<BR/><BR/>Legal immigrants, like all four of my grandparents, are a proud people, who came here to make a better life or escape tyranny.<BR/><BR/>Those who would chose to enter this, or any country without signing in, usually do so for a reason. Those who go through the process, are subjected to years of appointments and home inspections as well as staying out of the criminal system. <BR/><BR/>Now, stop and think...why are we advocating for more undocumented residents? <BR/><BR/>Smitty, werent the United Farm Workers pretty much documented workers? And not one person has pushed for the end of medical assistance for children. Theres no place here for that inference.<BR/><BR/>We just left a "commune fire" meeting, asking for tax justice for those who pay taxes. They wanted services without contributing for them. Illegal Immigration is an extreme version of the same tax dollar drain on the same system. <BR/><BR/>Im sure youll see me later and we'll have a few laughs, but those who handle municipal budgets, get an intimate sense of how little is left after the bills are paid.<BR/><BR/>Warmly, MikeMike Madsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14527557594630435730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-19492506890236719382008-08-07T18:59:00.000-04:002008-08-07T18:59:00.000-04:00In 1968 I marched with the United Farm Workers at ...In 1968 I marched with the United Farm Workers at the Boston Common Market for fair wages and housing.In 72 & 73 I worked with and for them thru the Ceta program in Diboll and Lufkin Texas. In 77 and 78 with Ceta[Comprehensive Employment Training Act]in Houston,Texas. <BR/>Any and all medical aid to sick children or adults was not conditioned by their legal or illegal status as I believe it should be in any civilized society.<BR/><BR/>Disagreeably yours...smittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-41783592952900861842008-08-07T17:25:00.000-04:002008-08-07T17:25:00.000-04:00Mike, I have to point out that apologists for ille...Mike, I have to point out that apologists for illegal immigration always try to paint this as a victimless crime, it’s not. Illegal immigration causes substantial harm to American citizens and legal immigrants, particularly those in the most vulnerable sectors of our population: the poor, minorities, and children.<BR/> <BR/>Illegal immigration causes a huge drain on public funds. A study of the costs of illegal immigration by the National Academy of Sciences found that the taxes paid by illegals, do not begin to cover the cost of services received by them. The quality of education, health care and other services for Americans are undermined by the needs of endless numbers of poor, unskilled illegal entrants.<BR/> <BR/>I would also mention that job competition by waves of illegal immigrants desperate for any job unfairly depresses the wages and working conditions offered to American workers. Need I say, the Labor Unions aren’t thrilled with either Presidential candidates vision either. <BR/><BR/>TedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-8206326747775801252008-08-07T08:39:00.000-04:002008-08-07T08:39:00.000-04:00Each year the Border Patrol makes more than a mill...Each year the Border Patrol makes more than a million apprehensions of aliens who flagrantly violate our nation's laws by unlawfully crossing U.S. borders. Such entry is a misdemeanor, but, if repeated, becomes punishable as a felony. <BR/>Why is it we arrest and prosecute people for stealing a can of tuna and yet some people want to embrace the illegal border crossers like nothing happened?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-58192892019802543282008-08-07T08:25:00.000-04:002008-08-07T08:25:00.000-04:00Smitty, thanks for the opportunity.There are so ma...Smitty, thanks for the opportunity.<BR/>There are so many hard working legal immigrants also willing to work. Do people think because they are illegal, they work better than legal? You tend to insult the legal immigrants when you make that comment. But i forgive you.<BR/><BR/>About 3 yyears ago, a study was done in New Mexico regarding the cost of lettuce. As they tracked the handling of a bushel, they found 5 middle-men who increase the price as its processed. To replace illegal field workers with legal, the head of lettuce went up 12 cents. The legal workers got better wages and the employees were forced to cover them with workman's comp.<BR/><BR/>Bush an Co consider the status quo as legalized slavery aimed at helping the corporate farm industry. Strong financial backers of his two terms.Mike Madsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14527557594630435730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-76178009171967951662008-08-07T03:22:00.000-04:002008-08-07T03:22:00.000-04:00I find all of this to be grossly exaggerated and a...I find all of this to be grossly exaggerated and an over generalization to this hard working group of people!! Very much like the Irish in the 1890's.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure they could pay for Insurance if they were paid a just wage and benefits and the rest of us were willing to pay $7.49 for a head of lettuce or a three pack of tomatoes.<BR/><BR/>I would like to see the crime stats as they stack up against the general public. Or hear from one of those famous INBEDDED reporters who works with these people. ..smittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24135583.post-27601726463352663452008-08-06T21:23:00.000-04:002008-08-06T21:23:00.000-04:00Although illegal aliens aren’t eligible to collect...Although illegal aliens aren’t eligible to collect public welfare benefits, they may receive benefits under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and Food Stamps programs on behalf of his/her US citizen child. [Any child born in the US]<BR/><BR/>A 1997 General Accounting Office (GAO) report determined that in 1995, households headed by illegal aliens received a total of $700 Million of AFDC benefits and $430 Million in food stamps. This is over ten years ago.<BR/><BR/>Over 60% of the births in LA County in 2001 were of Hispanic heritage according to the California Vital Records Department of the Dept of Health Services and it is estimated that half are of illegal parents. Those deliveries were paid through the generosity of Californian taxpayers.<BR/><BR/>This is just one state.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com