What ever happened to "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | 01/11/2004 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

 
IMMIGRATION INDIGNATION, holy smoke! DID YOU SEE WHAT I SAW?

What ever happened to  "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."

They came here for several centuries for the same reasons – freedom and hope -- and then a Frenchman created a statue that embodied their hopes and dreams. And it embodied America's promise as well. "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

I have been watching with a bit of sadness, and more than a little concern, the debate that has been raging over President Bush's Administration proposed guest worker program. I haven't seen anything definitive yet, but I have to admit that I have some uneasiness about what is being said, and what may be done.

First and foremost, I do not wish to trivialize the genuine fear and the authentic concern that most of the protesters of the proposal have expressed. Nor do I disagree with the legitimate anxiety over what the future may hold if this proposal is actually what is being portrayed, "a blanket amnesty for illegal aliens". That being the case there would be in fact, national as well as historical principles at stake, and we must be ever vigilant in the protection of our liberties as well as our sovereignty.

"Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed."
-Mark Twain

Immigration is now and always has been a tricky affair. The delicate balance of need and want, verses can and should. We can certainly understand someone living in desperate conditions wanting to improving their lot in life. What better place to do it than the greatest nation on earth. America is the envy of the world. We are a magnet, and a beacon.

Who wouldn't choose to be free, unless as is the case in too many places, they are incapable of understanding the reality of freedom. Who wouldn't want to have wealth, if we all agreed on what wealth really is. To someone without anything to feed themselves or their children, a neighbor possessing a sack of flour, is indeed wealthy.

To a nation of plenty, it has to be understandable that a desperate and starving parent wouldn't break down a door, or cross a sweltering desert to feed their child, or a family would risk their lives in a sealed boxcar to work for a steady meal.

I must admit, and state for the record, that as a policy, I firmly believe that all law breaking must be prevented, and law breakers should be punished.. the sooner the better.

That said, I may be a candidate for a flogging I might be at most a fugitive from justice, or at the very least a shameful hypocrite, because I have in the past, and without a moment of indecision would again, give employment to someone I suspect but cannot prove, may be an undocumented worker, ..yes, AN ILLEGAL ALIEN!

I have experience with this issue.. up close and very personal...

I AM A PRODUCT OF FORMER ILLEGAL ALIENS.. Thank God.

As a young boy, I watched as my 92 year old great Grandfather, an immigrant from the bowels of depravity in Italy, as he stood in a crowded church basement and took an oath, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to his beloved country to finally become a citizen of the United States Of America. For him, becoming a real member of this wonderful country was the culmination of a lifetime of work, and struggle and hope, and prayers.

My great Grandfather, his aged body bent from years of hard work, managed to stand tall as he listened closely to my uncle, who whispered in his ear, everything that was said from the podium. In those days, hopeful immigrants had to study and be tested to prove they knew enough about this country, and it's founding, history and government, to be qualified to contribute to it's greatness.

He had done his homework, and he didn't want to miss a word.

It was that day, in the cold damp basement, in a soft grainy light, walls decorated with flags, and with his fine and honorable family looking on, he and a large group gathered to prove that they were worthy patriots. That day this proud man who had overcome language, illiteracy and poverty, was at last to be rewarded, he was finally a real American.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, he broke down and cried for the first and only time I ever remember in his long and distinguished life. At that moment,  I remember thinking, it must be special to be an American.

Yes, my family crossed a border from Canada into the United States in the dead of night in hopes of securing a better life for their children. They suffered the pain of fear, poverty and ridicule to take a chance. What was being said throughout the world, was true, America was and still is a nation of opportunity.

I do hear the call of fears and doubt of my fellow Americans, and I share the pain when my neighbors hurt as a nation. There is real worry about the costs and loss of jobs. There are legitimate concerns about lawlessness, and precedent of the apparent "reward the lawbreakers", at the expense of the law-abiding and innocent.

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort."
-Sydney Smith

I know we cannot be the world policemen, or pantry. We are a mighty nation built upon a foundation of hard work and sacrifice. Much of that labor was done by immigrants, many of which were here illegally not by choice but by necessity. Many, as my family, didn't do it as a thief, but as poor frightened peasants, who came without documentation because the limits on Italians were reached, and they couldn't afford to wait until the bureaucracy opened the doors again.

Upon arrival, frightened and stranded in a strange place without money, friends or family, they did the unthinkable, they prayed and began working until they were safe, solid and accepted.  They raised a family that contributed and their offspring went to war, and they became solid threads in the fabric of their chosen country. There were a few that gave my folks a boost, a chance, a lifeline until they were secure.

So now the dirty laundry, I did the same for others, but I am apparently not alone. This isn't a unique thought to bend the some rules to help those who need help when the need is the greatest.

History is replete with law breakers that did what turned out to be a blessing. There has always been a few that took the law into their own hands when it seemed that was the only way. Moses, was spared by a benevolent stranger. Thank God a man named Schindler broke the laws to save a few hundred Jews from the Nazi's and where would we be if the Underground Railroad was derailed, because it was against the law to save a slave.

"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances - to choose one's own way."
-Victor Frankl

The overwhelming numbers of our newest immigrants aren't fleeing death, or slavery, and I am not Schindler, but I could see the desperation in their eyes and feel the need in their hearts. And what was I offering? A job, and friendship. A job that few Americans wanted, and friendship that has lasted decades.

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."
-Nelson Henderson

There are jobs that nobody wants and few would do, unless they had no other choice, a situation which rarely arises in our country.  But they are good jobs that need to be done. By and large these jobs are hard, thankless, dirty, repetitive jobs, at odds with a normal schedule. However, they are at the limits of those that need them.

Contrary to popular belief, almost no large companies would ever pay cash to save a few dollars, or underpay wages to a poor man because he is illegal. We never paid under the table, or less than the going rate because we were a well known company, and a scandal of that pettiness, would have harmed everyone, including hundreds of employees, almost all homegrown Americans.

  "Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why, when I am in special need of help, the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim."
-William Feather, The Business of Life

Lest you think it was all one sided, these workers were solid as a rock, and usually faithful as a clock. The work ethic in other countries is as it was in much earlier times in our history. The bottom line is they needed us, and we needed them. They stayed with me and climbed the ladder in the all American tradition, and I watched them with pride, and admiration.

For those that are really concerned about these poor people taking the bread out of your mouth, unless you are a pot scrubber, or a garlic picker, you are at little risk.. And to ease your mind, I have discovered a new money making venture, one that has a fabulous track record. This one has recent and past history has never failed to pay-off. It's remarkable in it's simplicity!

Here it is... bet against the fatalist, place all of your available milk money on the person needing something, and against the person wanting to keep it from him.. in short, betting against profits of doom.

Bet the farm, or the futon, that the screams are always louder during an election year, and the spin is more spit than polish. Just like the generations that preceded us the Italians, Irish, Germans, Haitians and Vietnamese, these folks will continue to be a blessing to our country. Take a deep breath and think about it without the shrill voices whispering apocalyptic threats.

Before you make your final decision on this matter, ask yourself a simple question. What would you do if you were in their place, but first, take a long look around your home, in you fridge and in your pantry.. and just for an added effect, and take an extra moment thinking of your children. Perhaps, you'll come away with a slightly different outlook.  Then again, maybe not.. you have that right, my once removed, illegal uncles and a lot of others died for your right to be wrong..

I am proud of our President, he knew there would be anger and once again he faced the problem head on. Dealing with this now is going to save us all in the long run, and as to the near future.. remember we are free Americans thanks to our immigrant forefathers, and some day as in the past, these new Americans may well save you and your country...

  "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
-Abraham Lincoln

"One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency."
-Arnold Glasgow

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[Hon]

Yeah, I'm sure Carlo was the Chairman and CEO of a company in FRANCE.

Good one! LOL!

[Hon]

"My call to Jim was to verify that Carlo is who he says he is."

Did Jim work with Edith Head, too?

You really don't know what a preposterous claim this is. And for him to say that he did the costume design for the trailers of a movie is just hilarious.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I'll leave you to your little vendetta. Spite suits you.

[Squantos]

Easy Crock Pot Mexican Chili

2 (15 1/2 oz.) cans red kidney beans, drained
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, cut up
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped onion
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1/2 c. chopped green pepper
1 (4 oz.) can green chili peppers, drained and chopped
2 tbsp. sugar
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried, crushed marjoram
Dash of pepper
1 lb. ground beef

In skillet brown ground beef and drain. In crockery cooker combine all ingredients. Cover, cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. Remove bay leaf and stir before serving. Approximately 10 servings and great with corn bread!

Stay Safe Carlo !

[Hon]

Crock is appropriate.

[christie]

Seems to me you can't answer any questions yourself. Once again, what are YOUR credentials?

[jellybean]

Did Jim work with Edith Head, too?

I don't think so, but you'll have to ask JR that question. Perhaps you don't believe Jim is the owner of the website either.

Tell you what...you post your resumé and we'll see how many of the companies you worked for are listed on Google. Most of my past employers or positions wouldn't be found on a web search. That doesn't mean they didn't exist.

[Squantos]

Don't confuse my personal disapproval of this immigration issue presented to us this week with any thing close to approval with what you've implied about my friend Carlo......

Stay Safe !

[Hon]

When I start a thread making an argument based largely upon my work and general world experiences, and when others defend me based on my integrity and say that when I say I have done something I have done it--and when I link to my bio and resume in every tag line--then I will post my CV. Fair enough?

But it is edifying to see that Carlo called me a coward and other names, and yet will not respond to any of my questions. Instead it would appear he is hiding behind you, his fans.

[christie]

Carlo doesn't hide behind anyone. LOL. I'm not a fan, I'm a friend and he has been a true friend to me.

[AmericanVictory]

Well, your grandfather wanted to be American, to be a "Yankee," in the best sense of the word. Prblem here is that so many of the immigrants, especially from Mexico, don't want to be American, they want us to be like Mexico.

[jellybean]

Carlo is not hiding behind anyone. He's more than capable of speaking for himself. YOU are a coward!! And apparantly unemployed...you can't post a bio or resumé and you've been posting on the internet (this thread in particular) all day.

[jellybean]

I'm not a fan, I'm a friend

I don't think Hon understands friendship. He must be a lonely soul, sitting at his keyboard all day, unemployed, hoping someone...ANYONE! will pay attention to him.

[carlo3b]

You folks are truly wonderful.. I don't want to dignify this sophomoric exchange with any more nonsense.. I've been stupid enough to do as much as I have..

Thank you very much.. after all is said and done.. I am a lucky guy to have great FReeper FRiends indeed.. :)

[MissAmericanPie]

I understand your post better now, you didn't smuggle illegals you hired them. And you are right, you are not allowed to ask if they are illegal and have no real way of checking their papers, even if you suspect they are illegals.

The business's you have been in are teeming with them, but I take exception to your view, and I have seen other's repeat it often, about the laziness of the American worker.
I have had no such experience in my hiring of employee's in fact the opposite is true, I have hired minorities because they are minorities and able to do the job, and I have had to let them go because they were either not honest, or were interested in a salary but not interested in work or attendence.

That is not a blanket condemnation of all minority employees any more than your feelings about American workers is a blanket condemnation of all American workers it is our personal experiences with the matter. And they are 180 but there ya have it.

What does bother me, and it is not just you, it is also the attitude of my fellow countrymen that may also have not sat down and thought it out. I'm always astounded to find that I am the odd man out as usual on things that I just assume are elementry Watson, but find that I am holding yet again a minority opinion, so I have alot of experience with being a minority.

We live in a disposable society, use it toss it, to be replaced by a never ending supply of new and improved later.
Growing up in a small town on a small farm I have always felt a primal connection to this land called the USofA. My dad was big on the history of our family, my great, greats, were so alive to me that they may just have well been sitting in the next room.

But they were not, I listened as my Dad told me how they fought and died for this land I am so connected to and to those brothers who along with myself make up the decendents of this nation. I learned about integrity, fair play, justice, right and wrong, loyalty, oaths, and friendship and my Dad was very animated in the telling. I never lost interest or tuned out.

Another freeper Luis had an article on his personal page about the connection he felt to Cuba when he flew over it. The land reached into the plane to pull him. Your family came in under the fence, but with every intention of becoming Americans as fast as they could. But you have to ask yourself this, and this is the reason so many want no immigration or very limited immigration, with who do your loyalties lie? How much responsibility, loyalty, or gratitude do you have for your fellow countrymen and those who will eventually make this their home?

You hired people you suspected were illegal, fine good people, hard working, deserving, and you financed them and helped them prosper in their own business's. But do they vote carlo? And how do they vote carlo? Because as a native American, whose legal home this is, who holds title to it by the blood of my decendents, and who has the right to be left alone in my home, without home invasion, to determine who to, and not to, be charitable and welcoming to, I don't really care if they have halo's above their heads and wings sprouting out of their backs, are they voting my nation away? Are they voting their bellies? Are they voting in ways that puts pressure on the government to forgive illegals and insure more?

Because freedom is not free, carlo, and many have forgotten that fact. The Constitution is not free, it has cost vast amounts of American blood to insure. That makes native born and immigrant, responsible to preserve it. Squander it and it's only won back at the cost of vast amounts of blood and sacrifice, and then winning it is a long shot, and yet our politicians are eagerly throwing it away with both hands. What we have today is not immigration, it's Balkinization.

What we have today is not a democratic republic, what it is becoming, with each Balkinized immigrant vote, is a socialist totalitarian nightmare, and to boot all nations that have tried socialism fall. Usually to hordes of immigrants voting their bellies. In 1986 Reagan granted amnesty to three million illegals, that was three million new votes up for grabs and the demonrats wanted them, so they pandered open borders and the promised future arrival of more of their brothers and sisters as the carrot.

Where do their loyalties lay? Not with me. But why should it? My own governments loyalties don't lay with me either. If I feel a loyalty and responsibility to, if I with to insure the good of my own countrymen, then I am a nativist and a racist, when illegals do the same by wrangling more in, they are the noble needy.

What is the ultimate outcome of all this? Slave wages and a third world lifestyle for everyone, and friend, I'm just not slave material. What is the ultimate outcome? The end of the land of the free, the end of the last place to flee to, as we are put under the rule of international law. And friend, I will be ruled by no law but the Constitution of the USofA.

I feel a responsibility, no, I have a responsibility to, not only my fellow countrymen, and my own family, but those who will come, not to allow that happen just because someone is good, sweet, deserving, and a useful tool of the enemy, and so do you.

[jellybean]

I know you'd do the same for any of us...

I did some calculations to determine how much Hon's opinions matter to me. No matter which method I use (add, subtract, multiply, divide) zero still comes out to zero and fading...

[carlo3b]

But do they vote Carlo? And how do they vote Carlo?

Thank you for asking, my employees were fine respectable people with close families. I doubt it, but truly cannot recall if they voted or not before the became US citizens in 1986, I know they voted for Reagan in his bid for reelection. Because we told them it was this President that allowed them to have this opportunity.. :)

[carlo3b]

HUGGGGG.. sigh.. :)

[carlo3b]

Because freedom is not free, carlo, and many have forgotten that fact. The Constitution is not free, it has cost vast amounts of American blood to insure. That makes native born and immigrant, responsible to preserve it. Squander it and it's only won back at the cost of vast amounts of blood and sacrifice, and then winning it is a long shot, and yet our politicians are eagerly throwing it away with both hands.

WE do indeed have an obligation to protect this great country and we should do everything to preserve the integrity of our constitution..

I have, with the best of my mind and body, served my country both on the field of battle, as well as a good neighbor, as I am sure you have as well.. Thank you so very much for your commitment to your fellow countrymen.. :)

[Aetius]

If we need these workers ,and many economists say we do for our economy to grow,we must find a way to keep track and have them pay taxes.We must look at the longstanding law that if you are born here you are a citizen,as that complicates the "after three years go home" rule. Unless you are a native Indian,we are all descendents of immigrants or immigrants.We have to make it more orderly and keep up with who is who.Ranchers along the border have a right to have their property protected from trespassers. And many economists say we don't. And these 'guests' will not go home. The phenomenon of Anchor babies is just one of the reasons virtually all will be allowed to stay. You seem pretty rational, but must you bring up the whole 'unless you're an American Indian then we're all....' bit. First of all, the Indians themselves migrated to this land centuries ago, and the same could be said for virtually every native group in every nation on the planet. So what? Does that mean we must accept unending mass immigration forever, despite the fact that past great waves have been followed by long periods of low-moderate levels of immigration? And to anyone, how can you possibly cite the words inscribed on a statue (yrs later by the way) as evidence we should maintain mass immigration? Its absurd. Its seems as though for some people reducing immigration is off limits because of the Statue of Liberty. Its like something out of the Twilight Zone.