Thread: Give full amnesty to all immigrants in the United States

http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/oped/ci_4082815

Give full amnesty to all immigrants in the United States John M. GALLAGHER


Inside Bay Area

AS the House and Senate continue to argue over the more draconian immigration bills presented to them, the case for amnesty that millions of immigrants and civil rights organizations have been arguing for has not been brought to the table — yet.

The historic demonstrations by ordinary people on May 1 (International Worker's Day, started in the United States over the fight for the eight-hour work day) brought the demand for amnesty to the forefront of these marches.

However, little has been mentioned about this option for the undocumented workers living in the United States.

First of all, no human being looking for a way to feed their family, escape poverty, or simply trying to survive, should be labeled by politicians and media pundits as alien, terrorists, illegal, or otherwise.

This terminology alone divides people into categories and encourages racial divisions and racist ideas to take hold, creating an "us vs. them" attitude.

These are hard-working families that deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity that everyone expects, be they documented or undocumented.

It just is not equal treatment under the law when millions of dollars and whole corporations can cross state and national borders without a raise of a finger, yet when people try to cross the same border, 5,000 national guardsmen are sent to stop them.

This policy begs the question: Do we live in a society or an economy?

Furthermore, considering all the hoopla given to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet recently, it is interesting to note that the undocumented (and documented) worker pays more taxes as a percentage of their income than do these billionaires after all the tax breaks, write-offs, and subsidies.

This country was built by immigrants from all over the planet — Europeans trying to seek refuge from the brutal monarchies of the time, Asians looking for better opportunities, Latin Americans looking to get away from political strife, and Africans brought here during the slave trade.

This country would not be what it is today had it not been for the immigrant populations who built it.

As these populations came to America during different periods of time, racist ideas also came around as a divide-and-conquer tool used by those in power.

For example, during the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, Congress was debating the racist Asian Exclusion Act, blaming the Asian community for the lack of jobs. This was able to divide the Irish and Chinese workers and keep wages low.

Moreover, during Reconstruction, the newly freed African-American population was blamed for taking jobs from the poor white community, creating an environment impossible to form unions able to fight for better wages for both races.

It is in times like these you see the development of racist groups like the KKK, Aryan Nation, etc.

We are witnessing again the turning back of the clock to scapegoating the immigrant population in politics.

The two bills in the House and Senate being debated differ only in their levels of barbarity.

One argues for the criminalization of undocumented worker status with a prison sentence of five years and deportation, while the other argues for second-class citizenship status via a guest worker program.

The first option is not only cruel and unusual but also would divert funds from our schools and hospitals.

The second option is a modern form of slavery. These guest workers would not be allowed to form unions, destroying the standards for wage laws and benefits, which will in turn drag documented and undocumented workers' wages down in a competitive labor market race to the bottom.

We are witnessing, again, the rise in the number of groups like the Minutemen and Fremont's own East Bay Coalition for Border Security.

But as the counter-demonstrations against these groups and the massive May 1 demonstrations for immigrant rights show, people support the immigrant community and will continue to challenge the backward ideas of such groups.

Instead, the only humane way forward is to give full amnesty to all immigrants.


John Gallagher teaches fourth grade at Forest Park Elementary School in the Fremont Unified School District. He has been a Tri-City resident for 32 years.

Too bad the poor children he teaches are being taught by such a naive man.

Maybe all the expenses we incur because of illegals could be paid for out of his pocket.

You would think that people like Mr Gallagher and their delusional self importance and implied moral superiority would get over themselves. The same BS flows out of every one of their mouths.

[quote="Brian503a"]http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/oped/ci_4082815



.....These are hard-working families that deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity that everyone expects, be they documented or undocumented......

- Then why do we need any documents on the first place ?

....It just is not equal treatment under the law....

-which law ?


.......Instead, the only humane way forward is to give full amnesty to all immigrants........

- Why this is the only way ? Maybe because this is the only way illegals want to have .

- I think the only human way forward is to take care of both - legal and illegal immigrants - to send illegals home peacefully , this way they will be safe in their country and legal immigrants will be safe in their country .
What can be more human than this ?

This terminology alone divides people into categories and encourages racial divisions and racist ideas to take hold, creating an "us vs. them" attitude.

These are hard-working families that deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity that everyone expects, be they documented or undocumented.


You just divided these people into a "category" you gigantic #$@#@#@# idiot...

Do they committ crimes? other than falsified documents?
At what rate do they committ crimes?
How much $ does it take to bring a third world adult up to 1st world standards, if thats even possble?

That they are ALL holier than thou super humans with NO FAULTS...

In other words, they are GODS.

In other words, you are pushing a religious point of view....

You are a religious KOOKOO #$@#%!^@!^% idiot...

Brian , the clock is not right . Today is Saturday and all the posts say Sunday

Originally Posted by hope2006

Brian , the clock is not right . Today is Saturday and all the posts say Sunday

You need to set the forum for your timezone for it to display the correct date and time. Go into your profile and look for the timezone setting to change it. If you're not sure how to set the time I suggest going to this web site.


http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com

First of all, no human being looking for a way to feed their family, escape poverty, or simply trying to survive, should be labeled by politicians and media pundits as alien, terrorists, illegal, or otherwise.

This terminology alone divides people into categories and encourages racial divisions and racist ideas to take hold, creating an "us vs. them" attitude.

Okay fine! I refuse to read any futher until this writer reviews the actions and statements of those he laments, updates himself on the Aliens and Seditions Act to figure out what politicians called who what first .

As far as the hostility THEY set the tone for them vs us mentality by announcing citizens of the United States should return to Europe since they were reclaiming their Aztland.

I don't see many American's associated with ractist groups like LA RAZA we're just stuck with Elephants and Mules!

The people crossing the borders illegally are NOT citizens of the United States and are in fact illegal aliens to this nation by definition of their actions! He can argue with Websters on that.

I have no patience for this kind of propaganda today. harumfph and poof I'm outta here for the day

First of all, no human being looking for a way to feed their family, escape poverty, or simply trying to survive, should be labeled by politicians and media pundits as alien, terrorists, illegal, or otherwise.

This terminology alone divides people into categories and encourages racial divisions and racist ideas to take hold, creating an "us vs. them" attitude.

I have a suggestion for this self-absored, arrogant, conceited, obnoxious, bratty little pip squeak.

How would he feel if they al moved into his house?

He reminds me of part of a verse in one of the Moody Blues song:

"living in a land of make-believe"


RRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrr