I have been
reading with interest the comments on illegal immigration and border
control. I am originally from
Winona and currently live in Tucson, AZ.
When I speak with friends back in the Midwest, I am surprised at how
little they know about this issue but then when I watch the National news, I
realize we are being spoon-fed only one side of the story.
On a daily
basis we contend with theft of cars and property, violent rapes, murders, drug
trafficking, gangs, and a strain on taxpayer resources. And being so close to
the border, they can cross back into Mexico and not be extradited. They are
home free until they chose to cross again, commit more crimes and hopefully be
brought to justice.
Hospitals budgets are depleted by
illegals that tried to cross the border through the desert and need medical
attention, or were injured by human traffickers driving vehicles over-flowing
with human cargo and traveling at speeds of 75+ on the interstates. These
accidents are phenomenally horrific . . . and very common. The Police and
Border Patrol are spread too thin, as are the Tribal Police on the
reservations.
Small towns
like Bisbee and Douglas are strained beyond their maximum. Ranchers along the
border are in constant danger of confrontation trying to protect their cattle
and property as well as replacing fences broken and destroyed by illegal
entrants as well as contending with their litter, feces and yes, human
bodies. Mexican children are
driven to the border so they can cross and attend schools in the U.S. at the
expense of our taxpayers. I could go on and on and on but will stop
here.
There was an
excellent article in the September 20, 2004 issue of TIME entitled Americas
Border, it was the cover story. I would encourage you to go to the library and
read this article. Sadly, its
still relevant.
From what I
have read, Mexico is the tenth wealthiest nation. Look at all the American
companies that relocated plants to Mexico. In the past five years my husband has
lost two jobs due to plant closings. His first job went to Mexico. It is
offensive to hear that the illegals are doing jobs Americans dont want
because we also know roofers and construction workers that lost their jobs and
were replaced with illegals at significantly lower wages. What do our
unskilled or semi-skilled citizens do for jobs now?
I never thought
I would live to see the very fabric of this country being pulled apart. The
smoke and mirror tactics used to run this country over the past five years
have pitted group against group, and now people against people. When are WE
going to stand up and say NO MAS? A quote from a sermon given during WWII in
Germany ends with this statement: . . . and then they came for me, and there
was no one left to stand up. Every day I write letters so my voice will be
heard from immigration and border control to gas prices.
Im not opposed
to legal immigration and control. I have Hispanic friends, and one of my
Doctors is Hispanic. What I am against is exploitation that borders on
slavery, our country and her citizens being vulnerable unnecessarily, and
taxpayers not having their resources available for themselves to
utilize.
