I'm slightly encouraged to see that there were apparently plenty of American flags at the enormous pro-illegal-immigration rally in Los Angeles today.
I think Glenn Reynolds made a good point in saying that "Illegal immigrants as individuals just trying to make a better life are sympathetic. Illegal immigrants as a mass movement making demands on the polity are considerably less so."
I think people need to obey the law, but I can understand with the desire to be an American. In fact, I think the real problem is our expensive welfare state, not so much the illegal immigration. Illegal immigration could be a net gain for our society if not for the education, health care, and law enforcement costs that stem from our nanny state. I'm glad we're having the debate anyway, because we need to either legalize it and face the consequences or we need to enforce the law.
So they're glad to see plenty of American flags, huh? What about the ones wrapped in Mexican flags? If they're proud enough to wear the Mexican flag, they should be proud enough to make Mexico their home!! From the photos I'm looking at, it appears to be Mexicans protesting the laws. I guess if I was here as an illegal immigrant, I would be protesting also! I would also be protesting if I was an illegal immigrant that was accepting of American hospitality, sympathy and welfare!! The ones back in Mexico that are waiting to become Americans the RIGHT way are the ones who should be protesting!! God bless the U.S.A.!!!!!
I think readers will be amused (in the sense of instructed, as well) by this post from Brad DeLong. He seems to be missing the point in wanting to count in the benefits of immigration to immigrants as well - it's an example of what's called "survivor bias" in statistics, not comparing before and after.
The thing is, the people who have rights at the time of any immigration are the before people - not the after ones. If you count the after ones in you get the scenario Ogden Nash brought out in his poem "The Japanese", which it so happens I have on my site (see my page link on this comment).
It's not that I disapprove of those people wanting to better themselves, just that in principle I agree with the point in the earlier thread that problems of Mexicans ought to be addressed via Mexico.
It's the practical principle behind Burke's saying that he'd rather hear less of the Rights of Man and more of the Rights of Englishmen (that way, your pious sentiments don't get in the way of seeing what you're doing, and don't obstruct Frenchmen, Spaniards and whoever from looking out for themselves either).
The only caveat I'd make to that - a big one - is that the USA rather overweighs Mexico's fate, as in the saying "Unhappy Mexico! So far from God, so near the United States!"
Well, I believe they were told in future marches to wave plenty of U.S. flags because waving all their Mexican flags looked bad (turning ours upside down or removing them wasn't cool to me) and they want U.S. Sympathy. Hmmph. I noticed there was a lot of Che Guevara Pictures and A.N.S.W.E.R. plaques as well.
(of course Main Stream Media never covered that). "They were just holding rallies." And they never make the distinction between Illegal and Legal. They just always magically leave that word out.
They were also told to wear white T-shirts and bring their kids so they would look more peaceful.
So in other words, they were just trying to fool the U.S. (Joe Blo Stupid) public.
I also wish they would protest just as fervently in Mexico where their economy is such a mess.
But, all their protesting did not make me sympathetic in the least. All they did was make me very angry.
I did some searching and came across La Raza (means the Race)and MEChA (motto-For the Race Everything-For those outside the Race, nothing)
And I found out about Art Torres (White America's Last Gasp) and somebody else .
Of course looking at the Voc de Aztlan website, I came across a map of Aztlan and even a picture of Iwo Jima (Mexicans raising Mexican Flag). (I don't believe Voz de Aztlan is a white Supremist site).
Then I discovered The Plan de San Diego.
(so much for the racist comments).
So, back to the march And for their comments about "Cleaning our Toilets", etc, I clean my own toilet, wash my own car and seldom eat out. Maybe if I didn't live in an apartment and owned a house instead, I would seriously be looking into growing my own veggies.
But in the meantime, the illegals can go on thinking Americans are lazy, stupid and fat and won't work. Whatever.
(and don't play the Racist Card). I've been married to a Latino now for decades and he doesn't approve of all this either.
WEll, I guess I better summon my tooth fairy so she can wash my dishes, mop my floor tonight and throw out the garbage & I can just park my lazy carcass in front of the T.V. for now.