Posted on 11/04/2003 9:29:11 AM PST by paulklenk
Taking time out from the war on terror and the war on drugs, President Bush, to the purple born, has declared war on cleaning ladies.
The agents of his wrath swooped down on 61 Wal-Mart stores in 21 states where men and women from South America and Eastern Europe toiled at minimum-wage jobs mopping floors and cleaning toilets until Bush closed them down. One wonders if the president remembers the words of the man whom he once cited as his role model: “That which you do to the least of these, you do to me.”
Perhaps the president and all his advisers have forgotten that their ancestors, too, were immigrants who had to struggle to make it in this new land. The fact that their forebears may or may not have come here legally and these plunderers of our national treasure came without sanction of law merely betokens how self-involved we are in our prosperity, narcissistically refusing to share it with those in need.
These men and women now in jail came here seeking work, not welfare. The $11 billion a year Mexican Americans send home to their impoverished nation gives every man, woman and child back home $110 with which to buy food and other necessities. Bush no doubt has no family memories of immigrants who sent money home, but those of us of more recent vintage recall clearly the stories of our fathers and grandfathers. It was that money that allowed our ancestors to survive.
Does Bush seriously contend that, with 6 percent unemployment, there are Americans waiting to take the jobs of those he arrested at Wal-Mart? He knows full well that the alternative to illegal immigrants performing those jobs is to use robots to do it. He has not saved jobs for Americans. He has saved them for robots.
For those in high dudgeon who are reading this column and would intone piously about the rule of law, let me ask if you are sure the toilet you used at the gas station was cleaned by a legal immigrant or a U.S. citizen. How about your garden and lawn? And your housecleaners? And the guy who waits on you at the lunch counter or cleans the dishes after you have eaten? Are those all here legally? I invite you to vindicate your self-righteous views on immigration by mowing your own lawn, cleaning your own toilets and cooking your own food — or do so for $5.25 an hour.
America needs Bush to crack down on illegal immigration, but from nations that harbor terrorists or sponsor them. We need an end to immigrants coming in on student visas from those nations. We must have more aggressive efforts to round up those who have overstayed their visas who hail from lands that wish us no good.
We need an immigration policy along the lines of legislation proposed by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) that would reward with amnesty and citizenship those who pass certain criteria such as English literacy, no arrest record and employment with contributions to Social Security.
The Republican Party can continue its war on Hispanics and its battles against cleaning ladies if it wants, but it does so at the price of its own electability. What message does the Wal-Mart raid send at a time when Bush is attempting to overcome past GOP insistence on cutoff of aid to legal immigrants by adopting pro-Hispanic policies and appointing top level Hispanics to key jobs?
Americans do not confuse hardworking Mexican and Eastern European immigrants, legal and illegal, with those who come to our nation from nations that sponsor or harbor terrorists. We know that the former build our nation and the latter want to tear it down. Bush does himself and his party no good by attacking the good immigrants and letting the bad ones go free.
So, you think that illegals, criminals by definition, are the most noble people you know? Do you normally hang out with murderers and thieves? How can you say this and expect us to have any respect for you. Are these people more noble than your closest friends and even your own parents and family?
You must have a pathetic life if these criminals represent the good of mankind to you.
Boo-hoo-hoo, for you. An extra number to dial, and another reminder of having to share your country with people you hate because they don't talk like you.
Thank you for posting one of the most stupid remarks ever to make it to an FR discussion thread.
I think your handle accurately describes your brain.
You come up with some workable solutions that don't include whining, and I'll listen to you.
Go intimidate someone else.
"Dear y2k_free_radical, why are you talking to me? I don't even know you." -- Jesus
And then you say:
I'm doing my best to show His love and kindness to people.
WHAT?! Are you serious? You call that showing God's love and kindness? You think you can speak for Jesus and tell people what Jesus would say to them? You reek of arrogance. I think you need to go back and read your Bible. Concentrate on the parts about real love, kindness, compassion, patience, and humility.
And while you're at it, read the parts about coveting, and theft, and being in submission to the authorities over us. Read what Paul said about how we should take care of those of our own household first, lest we be as bad as an unbeliever. Read what God said to the Isrealites about not letting aliens corrupt them and take over them. Read about how God "sets borders and boundaries." You've got a lot of reading to do, so get busy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.