Discussion

 

Immigration

 

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

 

(Plaque on the base of the Statue of Liberty)

 

 

what is immigration?

•  To enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native

 

what are your feelings on immigration?

• Should we even have immigration? The system is non-funtioning, and it does not work. Maybe some serious changes need to be made. Changes that work. (cs)

 

How do we fix the problem?

 

• as far as illegal immigration goes, increase border security. and make sure that all workers have green cards
• its too late to fix "the problem".....What is the problem?

• Be sympathetic and think what you would want people to do if you were in the same situation. what if you were illegal? Would you fear deportation? (sg)

 

Do you believe a guest worker program will be successful?

 

    If you were to look at history, the guest worker program was already successful. During the World War when men and boys were sent to war, there was nobody to tend the cultivation and harvest of agriculture. So instead of withdrawing family members of their duties, we called upon immigrants to do this work for us. It worked successfully, and I believe that the same would apply to today's society because as it is, most of our agricultural workers are of different nationality, but the concern of wages among native Americans are competitive. There is no one that is enculturized to our expectations that would work for that amount.

 

so whats the problem now?

 

Are the new laws fair?

• they need to amended

 

What do you think should happen to landlords that rent to illegal immigrants?

• i think this is crazy beacuse they kick out entire families to the curb.

 

• I found this image on the U.S. Immigration website:

  What does this image say about how we view immigration and nationality?

  --Ian

  How do you feel about the new driver's License law? You have to bring in a birth certificate and Social Security card? ( in oregon)

  • i think that is reasonable.
  • I agree, it's fair.
  • every person should be asked for ID and proof of address

   

   

•   It's reasonable but don't misplace your ID!  if you carry all your ID in one spot, you are really at risk for identity theft.
•  

The drivers license law is a good thing.  When I got my license I had to bring documentation and I was born here. I think it is very reasonable.

 

NPR Illgeal Immigration

 

When you start to really research immigration issues, they cover all the other topics we are going to study.  Maybe we could look at healthcare related issues with immigration (especially illegal immigrants), who probably have a very difficult time accessing those services.  Also poverty and education really impact immigrants.

 

  On this note above, if you go through the proper channels when you come to America, you would not  have

any problems getting any kind of assitance. Yes it does take time, but if you cant provide the correct information, you can not complain.

 

To add to that would you be saying thr same thing if your family was illegal? because at one point your ancestors were illegal?

 

     Actually when my ancestors came to this country, there were no regulations or policies established. So, at the time they were the people who founded our country and exploring new land, not illegal immigrants.  Now it is a whole different story if you involve those who where already in N. America.  "Native Americans"  I am not giving a whole history lesson.

 

 

 

FACTS/STATISTICS

 

More than 70% of farmworkers in the fields of the united states are illegal immigrants

• This is interesting, buuuuuuut, where does this "Fact/Statistic" come from? Part of the problem with the immigration debate is that a lot of "facts" are tossed around, but without any sources to back them up.
•  

 

here is a web page with some statistics on illegal immigration http://immigrationcounters.com/

 

immigration-thought it was interesting how many definitions there were...

 

immigration-the one way inward movement of individuals or their disseminules into another population or populated area.

 

immigration-departure from one's native land to settle in another

immigration-to enter or settle in a country which one is not native

immigration-the move, including the unintentional introduction by humans of an individual group or species into a geographical area

soooo, seems the definitaion is pretty broad.

 

-posted by Courtney Perry

 

 

 

This is My House

This is my house, and you are a guest in it.

Please - leave when you are no longer welcome .......

I will have no hesitation in using force -

Beneath my smile lies

Fear

And

Hate.

 

This is my house: it needs rebuilding -

I value you

For your skills:

But without those skills

You

Are

Nothing.

 

This is my house: you are not welcome,

Yet my morality insists that you stay -

But

Only

One

At

A

Time.

 

This is my house: we are friends,

And you can stay forever -

But only because

We

Are

Friends.

 

This is my house: we are brother and sister.

You are most welcome.

Live here and join our family.

We will argue: we will love: but most of all

We

Will

Live.

 

This is my house. Next door is another house.

I have been in that other house.

That other house is part of my street.

It is a nice house.

I

Like

My

Street.

 

-thought this poem was a good one.  it's about immigration and his point of view -posted by Courtney Perry

 

 Question.... Does racism have anything to do w/how we feel about immigration.?   Meaning, do we feel stronger about people from a specific country more so than others, comming to America?  Just a thought? -posted by Courtney P

 

 

As you may have noticed here in astoria there is and abundant number of mexicans in astoria and they do get discriminated against which is not fair. when the news, papers, internet talks about immigration there are so many things that come up about mexico. What about the rest of the world?

 

Pro's of immigration

• • it keeps the economy moving by filling  low wage jobs 
  • it provides a better way of life for those entering the country
  • it creates a pool of consumers for a variety of goods and services
  • farmers are able to plant and harvest less exspensively
  • contributions to social security funds often go unclaimened
  • illegal immigrants pay sale taxes
  • illegal residents who are property owners also pay real estate taxes
  • creates diversity
  •  

 

The Pros And Cons Of Immigraton

people for and against immigration said the following:

 

Pros

1. Some of the most intelligent and ambitious individuals, who are unsatisfied with their own countries, bring their skills to America.
2. It increases the diversity and expands the culture of the country.
3. Immigrants often taken the low-paying jobs (like food service & hotel cleaning) that most Americans don't want to do at such low wages.
4. Decreasing or eliminating legal immigration will inevitably create more incentive to come to the country illegally, which leads to less assimilation and fewer taxpaying, law-abiding citizens.
5. It improves the overall image of America internationally, as it is seen as an open, welcoming country; and immigrants who return home or maintain contact with family back home have a true image of America, not the one propagandized in much of the international media.
6. Adding an additional group of cheap labor adds to the flexibility of business, leading to cheaper prices, better quality products, and higher profits.
7. It gives struggling people all over the world an opportunity for a better life. This country was built on immigrants who sought opportunity, political & religious freedom, etc.

 

Cons

1. More immigrants means more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals to enter the country.
2. Immigrants, especially the poorer ones, consume a high amount of government resources (health care, education, welfare, etc.) without paying a corresponding high rate of taxes.
3. The national identity and language is disappearing. The great "melting pot" is being replaced by divisive multi-culturism.
4. Less-skilled American citizens earn less money and have fewer job opportunities because they must compete with immigrants in the job market.

 

     -Posted By Shane

 

The pros really outweigh the cons-that is why we need to find solutions so we can work together. Mexico needs to be involved in the process too! (cs)

 

Healthcare room Care

 

 health care-

 which country has best health care? found this site and thought it interesting- posted by: Courtney P 

 Actually, These facts are wrong- The United States is now 25th for healthcare, and the Emergency Room wait has tripled due to staff shortages, redtape, and paperwork. Also the uninsured

who wait until they are critically ill, flood the emergency rooms. This is just one of numerous problems with our healthcare system.(cs)

 

cartoon image- thought this comic strip was accurate-couldn't get the image/cartoon pic to show up.  so, i gave the website the cartoon was on.  Just click on, cartoon image and it'll send you to the cartoon.    posted by: Courtney P

 

 another picture- sorry, had to add this pic to the mix.  again, sums up healthcare even in another country. click on, another picture, and it will bring you to the pic.  Posted by: Courtney P

 This is a propaganda picture-have friends in canada-they love the healthcare system there. but, there can be problems in anything you try to change! (cs)

i agree and know canada has a wonderful healthcare system.  i just thought the pic. was intersting because it shows people's points of view on their own healthcare system.  every thinks theres needs fixing. the french however, and most canadians are content w/their countries healthcare.  just liked the pic.-Courtney

Question-

Would you except a minimum wage job, knowing you may not be able to pay bills on time or pay all your bills in full,  if the job offered a good health insurance package?   You might say you'd be choosing a roof over your head or you/your families health?  Which would you choose?  I have had to struggle w/this personally.  It wasn't a minimum wage job but it was $9.00 an hour.  I'm a single mother of two.  After taxes, $9.00 isn't much.  However, I had great insurance for my kids and myself with a deductable of only $100 per person.  Just curious... A high paying job w/zero benifits or a low paying job with good benefits?  

posted by: Courtney P

 

 If I had small children, I would probably want good benefits.  I would want the security of knowing my children's health care needs were met. I care more about my family than money. (MB)

 

 I agree. If I had small children, I would want the benefits before the money. But, then what happens when you are homeless because you couldn't pay your rent? Everyone needs to watch SICKO-by Michael Moore. Boy, is that a reality check! (cs)

 

Yes, I watched "Sicko" a few weeks ago. Did you know that the enemy combatants that are in Cuba get better healthcare than people in America. That was stated by a US Senator and several military personal. This movie shows you who really runs this country.  Insurance copmanies.    posted by Emily R

so, so true Emily-It is really scary.......stay healthy!!! (cs)

 

info on healthcare in OR -posted by Courtney P

 

 MORE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION:Illegal immigrants spread infectious diseases to others because they are afraid to go to the doctor. They fear deportation and by the time they receive medical help, other people may be infected with drug resistant diseases.  Emergency rooms have to treat everyone, so that is usually where they go.  I think illegal immigrants should have preventative health care screenings.  In the long run, it will save money.  Better to be proactive than reactive.  MDRTB can cost upwards of 250,000.00 to treat.  Imagine if 30 people were infected! (MB)

 

Poverty

 

 statistics of poverty in clatsop county - Posted by Courtney P 

 

 

 Almost like a cross

like sleeping on the church bench-

and the neon lights replace the familiar candles;

the rubbish replaces the smell of incense.

The onlookers who ignore

replace the worshippers.

The hard hand of the cops

dying to be replaced by the warm hand of love.

 But who will reach out to touch?  -Posted by Courtney P

 

Courtney, did you write this? really good!!!!  (cs)

 

__oh no, no...i had the guy's name that wrote this originally on the page.  not sure what happened to it.  i will find it again and post it.  i wish i could take credit though.  i did not write this.  -Courtney

 

 image of poverty- posted by courtney

 

 

Education

 

 

 

 

War