I have been totally disgusted lately at the waste of taxpayer money by the Seattle and Tacoma City Councils. Seattle in a brave new stand passed a resolution to boycott Arizona for passing a state law that is essentially an exact copy of a federal law. This brave new stand however did not include a major contract with Arizona based American Traffic Solutions. Why you ask? Because ATS runs the red light cameras in Seattle and makes approximately $2,000,000 a year for the city. So if the city really wants to take a moral stand on the immigration laws in Arizona then lets boycott all Arizona companies. Including the ones that make the city revenue.
How about Tacoma? They spent 4 hours yesterday debating and listening to public comment and they did not even act on their proposal because sometime during the hearing someone figured out they did not have enough votes to pass it anyway. So rather than not taking action they postponed the hearing and will once again take it up next week and waste more taxpayer money hoping to get a majority vote.
Really?!? What a colossal waste of time that we think we have any right to tell Arizona how to run their state. Would we change our tax structure if Chicago or Dallas passed a resolution to boycott us? Or would we be in an uproar about their pompous attitude and how dare they tell us how to run our state? They don't know our situation. They don't know what our issues are. Oh wait... those are all good arguments for us to mind our own business and quit wasting taxpayer money.
If you or any other citizen feels the need to boycott Arizona please do, but government needs to stay out of it. Especially those with no jurisdiction, a moral high horse and a superiority complex. Use our money to govern us not Arizona.
I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.
ReplyDeleteI know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!
Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.
Benito,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your passionate comments. In your posting you mentioned that the rights of men are being threatened. What rights are you referring to?
I agree 100 percent that we should fight for equal rights for all men, women, and children but I also believe that we, as a country, have the responsibility and obligation to ourselves and our posterity to maintain our sovereignty and our national identity.
Our country is our home. I doubt you would allow me to enter your home without your permission because you need to have your toilet plunged and you do not want to do it.
Or if you were to advertise for someone to plunge your toilet I am sure that you would at least talk to them and ask to see some sort of proof that they are licenced, bonded, or insured.
Why do we expect less of those entering our country? Is our great nation not as hallowed as our home?
So again I ask what rights are being violated by Arizona allowing their local law enforcement officers the ability to enforce a federal law?
"Illegal" is not a race. It's a federal crime.
ReplyDeleteIf the federal government would do its job of enforcing our nation's laws and protecting our borders from the flood of illegal immigrants, Arizona wouldn't have to step up and do the federal government's job.
Arizona is completely within its rights as a state, and in fact has an obligation to do so, to protect its citizens.
The fact that the mainstream media, the Obama administration, a liberal leaning local governments like LA, San Francisco, and now Seattle make these boycotts is what's really scary.
I have to admit that I am torn over the immigration issues. I recognize that America is a great melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, and that there are people from nearly every race, culture, religion, or political view here in America today. I support the idea that the United States as a whole has the right to choose for itself what the national language(s), culture, and immigration laws should be. I recognize that this will never make every sub-group within the United States happy, but I don't see any way to make everyone happy while maintaining a national identity.
ReplyDeleteHaving been to Mexico a couple of times and seeing the horrible conditions that people live with in the border towns, I wonder what can I possibly do to help improve living conditions so that houses are made of something stronger than cardboard and corrugated tin.
No matter what answer I have heard proposed for addressing the immigration laws and enforcement strategies I have serious concerns over the sustainability of those laws, and their general effectiveness. I think that the best place to start is this - If you don't pay into the system, you don't get benefits from the system. This means that illegal immigrants cannot collect social security, vote, or collect welfare from sources funded by tax dollars. Welfare sources which receive funding from private sources (churches, etc) can administer relief to whomever they like according to the dictates of their own consciences, but tax dollars collected by the US government should be spent to help US citizens.
Benito, tiene razon cuando se refiere al hecho de que los EEUU fueron fundados con ciertos derechos al ser humano pero otros paises del mundo tienen la misma historia que es la nuestra - tienen sus propias historias, leyes, etc. Hoy en dia parece que hay pocos paises que luchan para los derechos tanto como los EEUU (no solo en preservar nuestra libertad sino tambien en dar apoyo a los paises donde hay progreso hacia la libertad). Los derechos a que Ud. se refiere son -estadounidenses- que vienen de nuestras leyes, fundadas hace 'poco' tiempo (en relacion a las historias largas de otros paises). Son distintos de los derechos de otros paises - cada uno tiene sus propios derechos. Como puede Ud., entonces, hacer la conexion que hace en su argumento arriba? No veo la correlacion.
ReplyDeleteBart,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your well reasoned comments. I tend to agree with most of what you say, however, I am not torn over the immigration issue. I am a STRONG supporter of legal immigration and I will do everything possible to prevent illegal immigration. Our country is great because of our freedoms, our work ethic and the talents of all of our legal immigrants going back many generations (and many generations to come). I love the way this country invites and welcomes immigrants and I will do everything to make sure our country continues to be the light of the world and offers a dream to others living in less free countries.
Yes, the conditions in Mexico are deplorable. However, people are also suffering in Russia, China, India, Indonesia, N Korea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Argentina, Greece.... are you starting to feel overwhelmed? The United States of America unfortunately can't save the whole world or even everyone in Mexico. And that's why we have to have a formal process to immigrate here. Open borders, which is effecitvely what we have without enforcement, will lead to chaos and then all of us will be living in deplorable conditions.
The Arizona law is logical and humane and it is very much needed.
Susan
I was sickened to watch the President of the United States stand up with the Mexican President and malign the state of Arizona. He owes the American people an apology. Perhaps, President Obama should have suggested that the United States adopt Mexico's immigration laws if the President of Mexico doesn't like ours. When I travel to Mexico I have to have my papers with me and if I don't I am guaraneed a prison term.
ReplyDeleteBill
Hey Thomas,
ReplyDeleteBack to your original point about the government boycotts. My first thought was that it is disgusting for other governments to try to tell Arizona what to do. However, now that I've thought about it more, I think it's a great idea for municipalities to ban boon doggle travel to Arizona - and how can we get them to ban the boon doggles to other states too? The last thing I want my taxpayer money to pay for is unnecessary government travel to other states!
Dan
Dan,
ReplyDeleteI agree that governments need to stop stop frivolous spending whenever possible but they should do this because it is the responsible and appropriate thing to do, not because they are teed off at another states legislative agenda.
In this case needless travel is lumped into the same pot as moral superiority. While I am happy that the government will spend less on travel I am disgusted that this is the reason why.
I can't wait to see the campaign ads that are bound to come out. Imagine a picture of your local councilmember or representative standing on a hill overlooking a valley when a voice over says "your representative is fiscally conservative and stood strong against radicals by cutting $150,000 in travel expenses from the city this year. Looking out for the little guy, Vote for So and So; he's on your side."
Here is a little quote from Will Rogers. It applies to this situation and is suprisingly accurate.
ReplyDelete"Never blame a legislative body for not doing something. When they do nothing, they don't hurt anybody. When they do something they can be dangerous."
-Will Rogers
Danny Westneat had a great column in the Seattle Times. He asked Mayor McGinn about why the only contract Seattle has with Arizona was excluded from the boycott, and here was the response:
ReplyDelete"McGinn answered bluntly when asked why the red-light cameras contract was not part of the boycott.
'You may have noticed we have a budget deficit here,' he said.
Now that's a statement of our values!
Seriously, though: Our grand principle is that we believe in equal treatment as long as it doesn't cost us any money?"
I recommend reading his full column at:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2011897563_danny19.html
Susan - I came across this in an e-mail from a friend earlier today. I thought it applied rather nicely to the topic here:
ReplyDeleteTheodore Roosevelt spoke frequently in the early 1900's about what it means to be an American citizen. As I read some of these quotes, I found that I agreed whole-heartedly.
'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
I say that if you wish to immigrate to the United States, then you must choose to give up the ties to the old homeland. If you are not willing to do so, feel free to immigrate back home.
That being said, I still contribute when and where I am able to provide assistance to various areas around the world in need of aid.
bart,
ReplyDeleteyou make a great point with that quote. I could only hope that all immigrants were so inclined to love America and it's laws.
Bart,
ReplyDeleteI agree whole-heartedly with Theodore Roosevelt and your last post! The current legal immigration process is designed to help immigrants assimilate and become full U.S. citizens with all right afforded. And that's why it's important for all immigrants to go through the legal process. Illegal immigrants do not get the benefit of help assimilating.
I'm also very proud of Americans because we do willingly and cheerfully donate so much of our time and money to help anywhere in the world in need of aid. I want to make sure our country continues to prosper so we can continue to be a blessing to all nations.
Susan
With all due respect to residents of Washington State, you have a very different border situation. Other states have laws that are different from your state laws - will you boycott them, too? After awhile, the "Union" will find itself in pieces, one state taking out after the next.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is a federal issue but when the feds don't get a solution going fast enough, states are left to fend for themselves.
If you travel abroad, don't expect to take your U.S. rights along with you.
As the saying goes..."When in Rome...do as the Romans do."
Someone needs to ask the Seattle City Council and Mayor if they've read the law.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6qEQ-KnitQ&feature=player_embedded