That is the point of the game.
The protest was allegedly to show how the economy would be hurt if illegal people didn't go to work for one day- but if anywhere from 30-70% of the people who didn't work in order to attend were legal residents, then there's no way to know what kind of impact it might have.

I think to most americans in areas without illegal aliens, they turned on their TVs and saw people who are demanding that the US government help them because their lives are not livable HERE. They don't see the people struggling and working to make their lives better. They see people who have come here and are complaining that their lives are not better than where they came from. Period.
Americans (most of america) who dont have any experience with illegal immigrants aren't seeing the reality of most of these people. So they will say: "Why did you come here thinking you should be given things. If your life isn't better than where you came from, go home. The economy sucks for most of us who ARE here legally. We pay taxes, and noone is giving us a better life." I don't think the long term impact of these demonstrations were thought out very well at all.



I think that when most of America sees images like this being used to represent the may 1st marches...they wonder how people are waving this flag and chanting "We are america!". The event was horribly oraganized to the point where a person might wonder if groups like A.N.S.W.E.R. and others (who were heavily involved in the organization of this event), might not have undermimed the whole thing- in order to make demonstrators seem to be sending a message, that leaves most citizens wondering if the term "america" was referring to the US at all.

I believe most immigrants in this country want opportunities- and not to say gimme gimme.

The media called it a "Day without immigrants", which I think should be offensive to people who suffered and waited and had to go through all kinds of work because they respect the laws of the land they wanted to come to.

What kind of country will we have if people don't respect and obey the law, and the government is selctive as to where and when they decide to enforce the law? I know of a place like that. It's called Mexico.

 

Okay, I didn't put the full quotes- but I did take a part that seems to be recurring in these posts. I'm not gonna bother to say "hey, we could replace 'white' with all other colors and names...sadly people are already doing that in their minds when they read that.
What I will point out is something that I think is a sad thing in American society...
Imagine that you have the Democratic party, and the Republican party. They live in two different houses, and they invite everybody over to come here their views about america. Some people go over to the Republican's house right away, but alot of other people go over to listen to the democrats views, since the republicans screwed them in the past.
Everybody goes into the democrats house and sits down. And the democrats start talking about how things should be equal for men and women. Some of the white men get up and leave...but alot of them agree and stay.
Then they start saying that things should be equal for all minorities. Some more white men get up and leave...but alot of them agree and stay.
They start talking about ___ inclusion, and how people shouldn't be attacked for their sexuality. Some white men get up and leave...but alot of them agree and stay.
Then they start talking about how the problems in america stem from the evil white man...They create the image of the white devil in his grey wool suit. how any well to do white man is evil and out to screw everybody. They talk about how piggish white men are uncivilized beer drinking football watching bigots. They promote books by people like Michael Moore- entitled "Stupid white men". They blame the white man, because when they look over at the republicans house thats all they see.....
Then the rest of the white men get up and leave, and so do their wives and children.
This is why our government is run by the freaking republicans now. I still vote democratic, but it's really hard when you have to choose between people who only represent the extremely wealthy-and another group who will blame you for all of the countrie's problems.

 

As a black man.....a young black man living in America i think my perspective on our government goes without saying, but i'm not going to go off on that subject, i totally understand where those immagrants are coming from, and in response to that ^^^ said about the media implementing names on people with the "day without immigrants" i feel you on that as well because i was ____ed when they labeled us (New Orlenians) as refugees, i was like WTF! refugees from what?!?! check the definition of a refugee and tell me how in god's name does that apply to us? this whole country is screwed, i would have fled to Amsterdam or somewhere :D !

 

^^^ Good comments. The way I see it, there will never ever ever be an answer that will work with the illegal immagrants in America. What we can do is try and better the situation. Luckily, in America, you have the right to look like a dork and protest on the side of the street. I am a conservative, but when it comes to the views conserning this situation, I tend to side with a liberal mindset. My buddies are all conservatives so they give me a hard time and call me a democrat. Truth is, I don't think that conservatives look at the problem and view the immagrants as "real people" (i.e. they hold a racial bias towards them). One of my best friends doesn't like to come into Tucson because of all the, and I quote, "Mexicans in the streets." Personally, I think that that is a racist comment that a WASP is known to make, and I hate that.

No matter what the final ruling on the whole situation is, I just want the illegal immagrants to be treated by the government (and Americans) as human beings who have as much of right to walk God's green earth as I do!

 

I was like WTF about that too. It's all media spin..all of it. Only once did I hear some guy on CNN call the people who had to leave New Orleans "displaced citizens"...not great, but "refugees"?!!! It's meant to imply that these people are somehow not wanted to begin with or like they somehow didn't blong in America. They try to influence people with the choice of words, so Most of America wont feel as disturbed or worried about the governments lack of action and even concern about people in that area. What are they gonna say if theres a chemical spill in Detroit, or a tidal wave floods Los Angeles.
It's all based on the agenda. Katrina would have been reported as a huge human tragedy, and a horror for ALL of america, and all that talk- if Katrina had detroy those texas oil fields. Master Cheney and puppet Bush and the gang didn't even try to hide that this was the only thing they worried about.
Instead of stranded suffering americans cut off from their homes and land-with little to no aid from their government--we get "refugees". Instead of illegal aliens and a call for amnesty---we get "immigrants' and "a call for reform".
The government wont say anything bad about whats going on because they dont want you to know that the real cost of their mismanagement and inflation means a head of lettuce actually costs $5 now, and without sneaking in some people to work for under the accepted minimum wage, america might learn the truth about this. This is also why the media didn't go too crazy bout all the rallies...Every major internet news site posts polls about top stories..not a single one about the immigration rallies. They don't want people to see how other americans outside their own neighborhoods feel about this.
They know that most of America wants the border to be closed, and the government will never let that happen. They know that even if they legalized every one hiding in the US right now- most of those farm and meat industry workers would be very excited to get a fair and legal wage....only to find that two months from now, they've been replaced by some other guy who snuck across last week, who will do the job for $5 an hour. And the price of our food will still go up, and the companies will say that it's because of the required pay increase for their wokers.

 

Starting to open an entirely different can of worms...

With that out of the way, here's what I'd like to say. After Kat hit, why was it that the color of your skin that interpreted whether you were "looting" or "struggling to survive"?

 

^^^exactly.


Oh well, enough political ranting from me for today...it's good to vent sometimes, but I'll stop cluttering up the board now.

 

ill agree that the whole country is screwed, but putting a lock on the borders and getting those people who dont deserve to be here off of our property is a great first step. You ask who will fulfill those jobs? Americans -- and for that matter Mexican americans too -- there is no room freeloaders who dont pay taxes on labor or dont have medical coverage. Its about time everyone realizes that these low paying jobs arent helping our communities, theyre hurting them -- they arent helping to educate young children by paying income tax, they arent helping to pave the streets, they arent helping anyone but themselves. So if you dont have papers...you better watch out. Not just mexicans but everyone. SHOW SOME DAMN PRIDE no matter what nationality you are. Mexico is in bad shape right now, as is most of central and southern america. Why dont you show some Nationality and help your country, not just yourselves. Go back to where you came from, and if youre serious about becoming a citizen, do it the right way and no one will be coming after you.

 

Im not a racist, Im a Nationalist and I love America and all it stands for.

 

Okay one last thing- because I think it's funny:
The naiotnal anthem being sung in spanish.

Who cares?!! People can be free to sing it in whatever freakin' language they want! When singing becomes the major form of communication in america, then we should worry about what language people do it in.It was commented on by the president, congress, and all kinds of idiots made such a big deal about this. There is even talk of inacting something to specifically declare that it can only be officially sung in english. You get 1.5 million people marching thru cities around the country, and noone wants to say a word about it, but they're all in an uproar over some stupid song.
A song that was talked about more than it was heard by people. A version of the anthem that was actually conceptualized by a BRITISH record producer, who knew that he could make a few quick bucks off the controversy.

 

are your a lawyer? becaues you put up a damn good persuasive argument! (in my opinion)

 

Thanks dude, but im just a college student.

 

excuse my grammar, i'm at work kinda hard to multi-task!

 

The best government that money can buy.

 

i live literally 2 miles from the river.... imagine how it is here

 

you know... its not just about mexicans though! i hate when people are just putting it on them! its about imigrants!either way! kick them out!
so when i land back to my MOTHER LAND! im gonna start
SE: MEXICO

 

You better be careful. Thats not a new blanky your mom sewed for you on your bed, thats Jose hiding under his Pancho so he wont get caught from La Migra.

 

i have to agree with the first point

it is interesting how very little presence other nationalities have represented themselves at these immigrant rallies.
here in chicago, there are large amounts of chinese, eastern indian, polish, and serbian undocumented workers. yet they are no where to be seen or heard of - even in their coverage of these events in their respective-language papers.

its a lot easier to vilify and victimize the latino population -- because that is what this nation has done for many, many years. the great part is that these rallies also signify a change in attitude by the latino population. no longer will they remain silent, non-confrontational lackies.

and, believe you me, this scares many, many people...

 

well who do you think is always playing the loud mexican music at 3 in the morn having a bbq in their garage, for a occasion that doesnt exist ?? MEXICANS !!! Mexicans are more likely to careless and speak or do what they please, when they want and were they want other than any other ethnicity i know.

 

You are sooo right! Most people hear the word "immigrant" or this favorite of most white america..."ILLEGAL ALIEN"...and assume right away...The Mexicans.
Come on, just like you said Raul, why aren't the other nationalities representing themselves like we are...