To: Electric who wrote (44577 ) 6/4/1998 1:13:00 PM From: Tom Trader Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 58727
>>I agree that immigration is what made the country great, but in extreme cases, it really harms the country too. California is a great example of this. People that intentionally enter the country to gain off the efforts of people that work hard to sustain this great place really tick me off. << Since I have lived in California for the past six years or so, I can relate to some of what you are saying about the immigration question. I think that the belief that immigrants don't carry their fair share is a bit of a myth--I believe most do so. I do feel that there are other problems that have been caused by immigration to California--for example the bilingual issue is one that I have no patience with. I did not vote a couple of days ago--but if I did, I'd have voted in favor of Prop 227--that limited bilingual education. I think that propagating bilingual education ad nauseum, is divisive and in the long run hurts immigrants who should learn to speak English for their own betterment. Illegal immigration is the other big bugaboo in California--and on this I think that the population, at large, is schizophrenic about it. Most people are opposed to it--as am I-- and feel that it should be stopped and illegals should be deported pronto. But on the other hand, the very same people, including myself, who advocate this also have no hesitation in utilizing illegal labor for their ends when it suits them. For example, my gardeners, cleaning lady, painters that I recently employed to paint my house, etc are probably illegal. But I certainly did not seek to ascertain their status before using their services--and so it is for most Californians who are vocally opposed to illegal immigration and on the other hand don't hesistate to use their services when it suits their purposes. So, I guess things are not always as simple as they seem, at times.