Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Immigration Reform and the Demise of the American Society

I realize I will be stepping on many toes here but I am using one right STILL in effect in the US and that is Freedom of Speech. Besides, if you do not like what I say, you don’t have to read it. Those in favor of Amnesty, giving privileges to those that have NO rights, keep in mind, this IS spelled out in our Constitution. Perhaps reading it one day might be of benefit to you.

Anyway, I’d like to talk about something I call Quality of Service. This is a term used by computer manufacturers and the like, but it is also applicable in customer service. Anywhere you go today, there is a 70% chance you will find someone behind the counter of your favorite restaurant, fast food joint or bakery that BARELY speaks English, let alone understands the language.

I digress momentarily to make a point before making my point. There is nothing wrong, in my opinion with immigration. People from other countries SHOULD be welcome here, but should be expected and required to follow the SAME process the MAJORITY of immigrants do. By the same token, should an American Citizen choose to move to another country, Australia, for example, there are certain stringent requirements to be met before citizenship is granted. First, let’s make this perfectly clear: An individual comes to America seeking some form of improvement in there lives. Let’s face it, America is known as the Land of Opportunity. With me so far? Good. Unless one is actually BORN in ANY country, they should have NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to be handed Citizenship. Natural Citizens are the ONLY individuals that are supposedly born with the rights AND RESPONSIBILITIES of their respective country. While no person can control where they are born, it is not another country’s problem nor responsibility. That’s the hard, cold fact of life. We are, however, given the tools to make improvements for ourselves and loved ones, but each of these should be earned, not handed out. Nobody deserves a free ride!

On several occasions, I have either witnessed or experienced first-hand the frustration of having to repeat oneself over and over because the clerk cannot understand English, the Standard of this country. Many times, requests are misunderstood even after many attempts at clarification, still is delivered wrong. Long ago, employers required fluent English before even considering hire. Today, in our softened society, that is no longer the case.

Consider the fact that, in order to be employed in a foreign country, one must speak the native language FLUENTLY! We do not require that here. Why? Because we are soft. We don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. To consider the feelings of others to such a degree is absurd. We all heal from having our feelings hurt! It’s not a bullet wound, for crying out loud!

In fact, thanks to NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), we’re selling out to other countries! Maybe it helps big business, but those that need jobs are in even more of a dilemma. Once again, the language barrier! In bygone years, one had to contend with someone either not really knowing the product or just plain stupid. But at least you could understand one another most of the time and make some progress, even if it meant escalating the call. Now, one has to overcome the language barrier on top of the afore mentioned issues. Call escalation is a battle in itself, wasting time AND money on both ends!

I do not believe in free medical care, unless it is provided to ALL, Citizens and non-citizens alike. The Insurance Industry is a sham, robbing us blind, but that’s another topic of discussion. However, too many Illegal Immigrants (Aliens, as they were once called but due to Political Correctness, that term is no longer accepted) are being given medical care at tax-payer’s expense. Education is given at no charge. While I do believe in education and providing adequate medical care, why should Natural-Born Citizens have to pay for their own as well as those that have entered this country illegally? Because we have grown soft, making “those ‘less fortunate” our responsibility. That sounds very Good Samaritan but the problem is, we have issues of our own that remain unaddressed such as homelessness, unemployment, poverty, not to mention a corrupt Judicial System and Government! There is a biblical reference to removing the log from your own eye first before addressing the spec in someone else’s eye which actually was rewritten from an ancient Pagan belief which escapes me momentarily. You might say, “That applies to judgment of others, etc.” Sure, but it actually has other applications, if you think about it. With all the issues in our country going unaddressed, we truly have no business taking on the responsibility of fixing other peoples problems!

The truth is, how America has grown so soft in the past 40 years is beyond me. All it took was ONE generation to go to hell. Okay, nobody had the best childhood. So what? Put your big boy/big girl pants on and get over it already! It’s the PAST! There is no sense in making society responsible for your problems.

Which brings me to another point just mentioned. The past is the past and let it be. Society does not seem to learn from their mistakes the way they used to. Blame is placed on how they were treated to justify their actions today. I hear people whine about how terrible they had it as a kid, so this is why they beat the crap out of their kids or do not act responsibly with money, jobs or in general decision making. Has society gone so wrong that we have to worry about others conforming to their ways?

This is what is wrong with society, kids are treated like precious porcelain. Newsflash! Children are VERY resilient and actually thrive on discipline! Spanking is NOT abuse! Beating repeatedly with a fist, stick, shoes, etc are, though. There IS a medium. Discipline, not abuse. Yes, there is also positive reinforcement, but sometimes, a good old fashioned swat to the butt is in order! We do not discipline our children, so they think they can get away with anything. They are spoiled and expect society to hand them everything. Yet, many still cry abuse!

Hence, the American society has grown soft. We ignore the problems at home and give away the farm because it suits us. Truth is, there is no “poor immigrant.” We’ve made THEM rich while we grow poor. We are giving away America, our very way of life as well as our security.

No, the terrorists will not spell the demise of America. Rather, America will perpetuate the downfall of a once mighty nation. We are giving it away to the LOWEST bidder! NAFTA, Immigration Reform, Gun Control all spell W-E-A-K-N-E-S-S! The world sees this, takes advantage of it and we simply let them. The problem is, being strict and firm do not constitute “meanness!” Holding people to certain expectations is not cruel and inhumane, rather it helps them be stronger, contributing partners.

Until September 11, 2001, the US had NEVER been invaded since the end of the Revolutionary War. Not one single nation has launched an even nearly successful attack on our soil. Why had Al-Qaeda been successful? Because of our WEAKNESS! How does this relate to our discussion? Simple. We are decaying from within due to our bleeding-hearts as a nation.

If you can’t take a little bloody nose, then don’t come out to play!

This is not to say that I do not believe in immigration. See paragraph 3. While I feel English should be the primary language, if one is going to live and work in this country, they should AT LEAST speak and understand it fluently. Knowing other languages, such as German, French, Spanish are pluses in order to communicate with travelers. I also believe that medical care should be Socialized, but ONLY provided free of charge to CITIZENS while available at a cost to others as well.

Bilingual signage is also ridiculous. If signage needs translation, why not translate for ALL languages? If you want to be “fair” to everyone, might as well go all the way. However, if one chooses to live in a country, it should not be up to the government to accommodate them. Learn the language!

In conclusion, we are giving away our very sovereignty by allowing Immigration Reform, NAFTA, etc. to be taken to such extremes. Not to mention bleeding hearts.

One other threat to ponder: Google "Texas Border War."



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Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Lost In Translation

What do NAFTA & Immigration have in common? Language and free-rides. What's happening is this country is being given over to Spanish-speaking people! Everywhere you look anymore, there is a spanish translation for signage, informational pamphlets, etc. It is not even a requirement to speak English in order to work in the US! Undocumented workers are taking cash under the table, receive FREE medical care at tax-payer's expense!

Now, before you cry "PREJUDICE!" let me explain where I am coming from. I have NO problem with immigration, in it's traditional sense. I have no issue with Free Trade where it provides opportunity for ALL, not just foreign countries. What I DO take exception to are non-citizens expecting a free-ride or hand-outs. Jobs being sent over-seas that were performed locally, thereby displacing English-speaking workers. This is what's happening as a result of NAFTA and Immigration Anmesty! If you don't believe me, then open your eyes.

Americans, what is it like for you to call Dell, HP or even your own credit card complany for help with a bill or computer issue and your call is answered by someone who BARELY speaks English, let alone fully comprehends your concerns? Frustrating at the very least. Then, if asked to speak with someone who speaks English AT LEAST fluently, preferrably as a 1st language, be treated like you've just accused "Joseph" a.k.a. Habib of Terrorism! I don't know about you but if we are talking about money owed or money in my bank, I want to understand and BE understood inexplicably!

Talk about lost in translation: Baja Fresh has a policy of "advancing" Spanish-speaking employees if they learn English. However, cooks and back-end workers many times do NOT speak a word of English. Even though front-end workers (counter help) may be bi-lingual, SOMETHING is usually lost in translation!

English is the PRIMARY language in this country, at least it was the last I checked. Americans seeking employment in foreign countries are usually required to learn the native language in order to progress or enjoy any form of success.

Why should we just GIVE citizenship status to illegals? I have no problem with individuals going through the proper channels, learning the language and PAYING their share of taxes. Nobody gets a free ride in this country, so why should illegals? My tax dollars should not be used to subsidize someone who is in this country illegally. EARN your status, just like everyone else. Born here is one thing, I can do nothing about it any more than anyone else can control where they were born. If you were not born in this country, earn your citizenship just like you would require me to if I went to your country.

I am sick and tired of the bleeding hearts that want to hand over this country. It's time to get tough and require what other countries require of us. If I have to work for a living, pay my taxes, insurance, etc. to survive and receive medical care, so should everyone else. America is called the Land of Opportunity, but each of us has to work for where we are. No double-standards, free-rides or hand-outs. Natural-born citizens are not afforded this luxury, immigrants shouldn't either.

NAFTA is hurting us more than helping. The value of the dollar is diminishing because of the lower paying jobs, unemployment is up because jobs are going overseas!

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