What's also tough is that these boys are short and squat and do not show signs of being socialized and assimilated through shared sports activities. That is, they're not going to get any loyalty to the system through school athletics OR academics. And the state will do anything in its power to keep them from dropping out and getting jobs. That means they'll be in for the maximum time sapping energy and resources just to keep them from cutting up, taking from those who could use what is offered. If they want to drop out, let them. The white elites wanted them to come in the first place because those same elites won't mow their own lawns or clean their own pools!
Our leadership assumes that this new population wants to assimiliate, that the best policy is generosity, but my suspicion is that the newcomers just want an outpost of Little Mexico with free American services. In this town, there're new businesses with little Mexican stores, a kind of little Mexican bank which provides services I don't understand, a hairstylist and bakery. Commendable entrepeneurship, I suppose, but this means the new immigrants are not supporting the exisiting business of the town. I'd like to know how careful they are about paying state taxes...There are rumors and stories of a "godfather" that keeps the behavior of the immigrants in line--so they have their own system of police and justice. They will not come to local churches despite repeated and heartfelt invitations. They don't have to mingle with, cooperate with, or get to know any of the American people they live among. They do have a soccer team system that is only for Mexicans that plays at the local park. Keep in mind that this is a small town--the immigrants came in large numbers, and quickly, and now make up a significant percentage.
And no one dares talk about it, or the implications.
What's different about immigration today is that there's no desire among immigrants to be American. At best, this is just plain *rude*.
Bonjour, Mamzelle -- :)
The "little bank" is for money orders and wire transfers back to Mexico. I imagine they also sell phone cards, and probably illegal documents out of the back room. They probably charge 3 or 4 per cent on the wire transfers, so it's a nice little business to be in. This is a big reason why the banks are starting to accept the Mexican Matricula Consular ID cards...they want a piece of the action.
You probably have also noticed that your local "big" grocery store now has 2 or 3 aisles of nothing but "Mexican" grocery items...even up to and including Mexican soda pop, the (really good) hot sauces, etc.
My major chain grocery stores have them, and I live in Maryland, which is not your typical "border state"... :)
You are right in almost everything you say. The part of consulting with Texas educators isn't. They have no more clue than anyone else. Yes, we have always had a sizeable population of people of Mexican decent. These people are Americans, as much as you or I, some have been in this State much longer than a lot of Texans. They are no problem to educate - except of course, for the gang member and that is evident everywhere. WE have also had illegals for many, many years. They didn't usually bring their families, but when they did, they behaved themselves in every way because there really was a time they would be deported.
Now you have a group of people here just for the money and the freebies and they absolutely know they will not be deported. They also absolutely know they will not be held responsible for taxes, medical cost, educational costs, or their illegal activities (and I don't just mean border crossing.) These people are untouchable. They are protected by the greedy corporations that are making a killing because we take care of the benefit package for them. They are protected by the politicians that are being paid by said greedy corporations (from the highest level on down). Theya re being protected by the courts and law enforcement that says, there is nothing they can do so just let them go. They are being protected by the people who mistakenly believe they are been so generous by supporting their cause. They are being protected by the people who support Republicans no matter what they do. These people have free rein in this country and believe me it spills over into the school system. Texas educators don't know how to handle this any more than others. All of this is detrimental to the school system at large. So much resources is being diverted to care for their special needs, it is being taken from the other children.
Their attitude goes much farther than just rudeness. They know they have the upper hand. They know they can do whatever they wish and the citizens can do nothing. They have powerful friends and protectors. It is suicide, not just to the school system, but to the nation as a whole.
This country has been int he election mode for quite some time now. Does it make anyone wonder why illegal immigration has not been an issue for anyone except Tancredo? It is the very crucial issue that is just being ignored.
And no one dares talk about it, or the implications.
What's different about immigration today is that there's no desire among immigrants to be American. At best, this is just plain *rude*.
You see that all over the U.S. No assimulation, no English, and U.S. citizens are footing a whale of a tax bill paying for their free county health care, schooling, (in many states) voting rights, and citizenship for all the illegals' babies. My great gripe with Dubya is that he turns a blind eye to the "reconquista" going on. U.S. citizenship seems to mean nothing anymore, except we get to pay the taxes. ENOUGH!
I have dozens of studies, editorials, census figures, and articles that can prove that statement to be not true.
Immigrants have always assimilated, against all the doubts, and predictions of their imminent destruction of the American way of life by native citizens.
"...measures of great Temper are necessary with the Germans: and am not without Apprehensions, that thro' their indiscretion or Ours, or both, great disorders and inconveniences may one day arise among us; Those who come hither are generally of the most ignorant Stupid Sort of their own Nation, and as Ignorance is often attended with Credulity when Knavery would mislead it, and with Suspicion when Honesty would set it right; and as few of the English understand the German Language, and so cannot address them either from the Press or Pulpit, 'tis almost impossible to remove any prejudices they once entertain. Their own Clergy have very little influence over the people; who seem to take an uncommon pleasure in abusing and discharging the Minister on every trivial occasion. Not being used to Liberty, they know not how to make a modest use of it; and as Kolben says of the young Hottentots, that they are not esteemed men till they have shewn their manhood by beating their mothers, so these seem to think themselves not free, till they can feel their liberty in abusing and insulting their Teachers. Thus they are under no restraint of Ecclesiastical Government; They behave, however, submissively enough at present to the Civil Government which I wish they may continue to do: For I remember when they modestly declined intermeddling in our Elections, but now they come in droves, and carry all before them, except in one or two Counties; Few of their children in the Country learn English; they import many Books from Germany; and of the six printing houses in the Province, two are entirely German, two half German half English, and but two entirely English; They have one German News-paper, and one half German. Advertisements intended to be general are now printed in Dutch and English; the Signs in our Streets have inscriptions in both languages, and in some places only German: They begin of late to make all their Bonds nad other legal Writings in their own Language, which (though I think it ought not to be) are allowed good in our Courts, where the German Business so encreases that there is continual need of Interpreters; and I suppose in a few years they will be also necessary in the Assembly, to tell one half of our Legislators what the other half say; In short unless the stream of their importation could be turned from this to other colonies, as you very judiciously propose, they will soon so out number us, that all the advantages we have will not in My Opinion be able to preserve our language, and even our Government will become precarious."
Benjamin Franklin