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Here's a thought: who gets all the housekeeper jobs in Mexico? In America, we hire someone who is willing to do what we're not at a price far below market value--so where do they find people to do such jobs in Mexico? Australia? Come to think of it, I haven't heard from Paul Hogan in a while...

I normally shy away from discussing politics. It's not because I don't have an opinion--by now you should know I've got a take on pretty much everything. Discussing politics and social issues is not the type of writer I want to be. I like lighthearted and funny stuff. If I start debating the impact of American interference on third world politics, I'll lose my core audience: those who like fart jokes. Besides, I'll feel it's best to stick to issues where I'm knowledgeable--and leave the uneducated opinions to the politicians. But this immigration issue really angers the blood. And since every Tom, Dick, and Harry (or should I say Juan, Roberto, y Carlos) has an opinion, there's no harm in me throwing in my two cents.

I've always felt this country needed to make a decision on the illegal alien issue. Either we had to embrace them and stop with this charade or "border control" or put our foot down and really do something about it. Right now. It feels like we're talking out of the both sides of out mouth. On the one hand, illegal immigrants are here unlawfully; on the other, when was the last time you saw an INS truck swing by Home Depot? We say we don't want them here, yet I've never heard of anyone firing their gardener because he was here illegally. I felt that this country needed to decided--really decided--what it wanted. If we truly wanted to get rid of illegal immigrants, how about the law go and arrest those farmers who employ day laborers? If they are a crucial part of our economy, let's stop wasting money with the border patrol and INS divisions of our government. But for cripes' sake--pick a side.

Well, it looks like our government has decided to take a stand. And while I admit I don't know all the facts and my opinion is uninformed, I'm in favor of crack downs and a hard stance against illegal immigrants. I could be wrong and it might drive the price of strawberries through the roof, it is my uneducated opinion (it's just a good thing I don't like strawberries...but I do like tacos).

But the part that really irritates me is how too many construe this as a race issue. It's not about race: it's about nationality. I don't see if as a way to keep Mexicans down or out of this country. It's about getting rid of people that are burdens on welfare and social security while without paying taxes. It's about keeping American dollars in America and not sending it to families in some other countries. It just bugs me how Mexicans feel like they're being targeted--what about the dozens of Canadians this issue also affects?

I'm not a redneck. I don't have a confederate flag license plate. I don't wear cowboy boots and have not--nor will I ever--own a gun. But I am an American and I'm about taking care of my own. It doesn't matter if you black, white, brown or yellow--hell, I'll even extend this courtesy to women--if you speak my language, pay taxes, abide by the laws of this country and live the American dream, you're okay in my book.

But is seems like that's been forgotten in this whole issue. Mexicans feel like America is trying to rid them of their culture or something. I've heard this topic likened to the oppression of blacks prior to civil rights movement.

It's not. The crack down on illegal immigration isn't meant to persecute Latinos or any one ethnic group. It's not like the government plans on rounding up every brown-skinned person and shooting them in a cannon back to Mexico. If you're an American citizen, you've got nothing to worry about. And a true American citizen should feel the same way--it's about having some American pride.

I can't stand to watch people wave Mexican flags or shout "Via Mexico!" If you like Mexico so much, why don't you move back there? This is American. We speak English, don't vote, and think we're better than everyone else--that's the ideology of an American citizen. If you can't embrace it maybe you should live someplace else.

But I've gotten way off track. The point is I wish people wouldn't get so emotionalabout this topic. I wish they wouldn't take it so personally. I heard a report on the news that the LA county school district had a 27 per cent decrease in attendance today. Are those students who did show today illegal immigrants or just Mexican? If their illegal, I believe they shouldn't be there--they're not the children of taxing-paying, American citizens who are paying for that education. And if they kids who didn't show are American citizens, they're just being ignorant. Those people are taking the matter too personally when it isn't about them in the first place.

I'm tired and said all I really wanna say on the matter. My reasons for opposing illegal immigration may be inaccurate--but my reasons for getting pissed at people who make it a race issue aren't.

Oh wait--one more thing. I absolutely hate--hate with a passion, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Dude is a total media whore! He does weekly interviews with two local LA television stations and (at least) one radio station. A few months back, there was an airplane that had to make an emergency landing at LAX. The plane's landing gear was malfunctioning and every media outlet was going to cover its landing live. When that plane landed safely, Mayor McCheese was the first person on the runway to greet those who suffered through their ordeal. There isn't a camera this guy hasn't liked. His smile is phony; his responses are generic. I hate him--hate him more than a tone-deaf tenor. It's pretty obvious to me that some day he'd like to run for president. Dude has politician written all over here. I'll never trust him, support him, or say anything nice about him. Oh, and he loves A Day Without Immigrants: you couldn't buy that kinda national press.

While I'm discussing people I don't like, what the hell is el Presidente Vicente Fox doing in the United States and lobbing against immigration reform? Isn't his concern the country that elected him president? Shouldn't he be worrying about Mexican politics? If I was president of a country, I'd do whatever it took to make my country the best damn country it could be--and a sign of that would its citizens not running over borders and just to get away. If I was the Mexican president, I'd be embarrassed by this immigration issue. Considering the number of people that would rather not be there, I think it's safe to assume Mexico must be an awful place to live--and like a restaurant with no employees, that reflects badly on the management. Senor Fox should completely wash his hands of this matter. I mean, what's really in it for him anyway? It's not like the illegals living in America can vote for him.

Okay, I'm finished discussing this matter.

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2006