A Day Without A Mexican - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 05-05-2004, 01:59 PM

PLEASE THIS IS NOT A FLAME MEXICANS OR NON ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLE. DO SO AND YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE REMOVED WITHOUT NOTICE.

Quote:

California is in shock. The economic, political and social implications of this disaster threaten the Golden State’s way of life. We delve into the lives of four characters: Mary Jo Quintana, teacher and housewife; Senator Abercrombie, suddenly upgraded to Governor; Louis Mcclaire, ranch owner and agribusiness representative; and Lila Rodriguez, reporter and apparently the only Latina left behind. For all of them, “the disappearance” forces the cracks in their private lives wide open.
Experts pose questions and offer theories: Could this be a UFO kidnapping? Biological terrorism? The Apocalypse and Latinos are the chosen ones? Or perhaps they just left because they were tired of being taken for granted.

As time goes by, the State continues to deteriorate: Garbage has taken over the streets and tears are permanently painted on the faces of most citizens as the 5th largest economy in the world tumbles. The realization that what has disappeared is the very thing that keeps the “California Dream” running – cooks, gardeners, policemen, nannies, doctors, farm and construction workers, entertainers, athletes, as well as the largest growing market of consumers – has turned Latinos and their return into the number one priority in the State.

Of course there are those who disagree. A baseball inscribed with hate and ignorance, is tossed at Lila Rodriguez. The last hope for answers has been destroyed. But as despair turns into quiet sorrow, deeply felt memories and heartfelt appreciation yield unexpected results.

Misunderstandings and humorous situations abound, making this a comedic satire…a modern fable, lesson included.

Description: This video "mockumentary" presents a world suddenly devoid of all Mexicans and explores the effects on society (California in particular) through a variety of news flashes, interviews and colorful commentary. Serious issue-raising filmmaking can be fun. A Day Without A Mexican makes very clear in its 28 minutes of mock investigative reporting, what it would be like if there were no Mexicans in California.

Now what would happen? Would you work as a bus boy? Would you work in the fields to pick produce?

I myself have never thought anything of stooping low to get a job done. I don't care if I'm the janitor, so long as I get paid fare wages and work reasonable hours.

Phaenx · 05-05-2004, 02:22 PM

Um, more then just Mexicans work as bus boys and field laborers....

What I'd be worried about is the "Jesus paintings on the hood of your car" market crashing into hell.

ZING!

irseg · 05-05-2004, 02:47 PM

I think it's funny how liberals argue that we should allow Mexican immigrants because they do all the shitty jobs that no American will do. Is that not perpetuating a racist stereotype that Mexicans are only good enough to do menial labor? How is that any different than saying "we need blacks around; they help the watermelon, fried chicken, and malt liquor industries"?

Furthermore, the massive influx of Mexicans has only been happening for the last 10 or 15 years. How did fields get plowed and trash get hauled away before then?

Polyphobic · 05-05-2004, 02:50 PM

What about all the wonderfull food we would be missing out on?

I agree with Phaenx. Mexicans aren't the only persons with these jobs. I think it would open up the labor market for these types of jobs. However, it would recover eventually.

Aletheia · 05-05-2004, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by irseg

Furthermore, the massive influx of Mexicans has only been happening for the last 10 or 15 years.

Where did you pull that number from because it is wrong. There has been an increase of the latino total population in California, but that due to birth rates as far as I know. California was built on migrant labor, both Mexican and Chinese. Maybe you forgot, but California used to be apart of mexico.

Phaenx · 05-05-2004, 03:04 PM

Well it's ours now. And there's a border there they're not allowed to cross unless they do it the way we tell them to.

Just because something used to belong to someones ancestors does not make it right to break the law. I'll gladly welcome them into the country so long as they do it correctly, but those who chose to disrespect my countries laws can be raptured back to wherever it is they came from for all I care.

Aletheia · 05-05-2004, 03:06 PM

What about those who disrespect "your" countries laws but are here legally?

Phaenx · 05-05-2004, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aletheia
What about those who disrespect "your" countries laws but are here legally? Are you going to deport them to?

You don't think America is ours? You should call Congress and inform them of our grave mistake. Come on guys, back to England.

I can only wish. I'd love to not pay for prisoner's meals and cable tv, but pacific islands are good real-estate, so we can't just dump them on a random island. I guess we could just push them out of a plane into the ocean.

Works for me.

Mondak · 05-05-2004, 03:22 PM

Mexicans are one of the strongest reasons behind the sucess of California and its growth. I would not want to live here without them and I have half a mind to just say open the borders. I don't really want to pay for social programs for illegal alliens who can't find employment or housing or those who need healthcare and did not plan on how they would afford it once they got here. That being said - I believe in risk and return. If they take the risk to be here without a social safety net (heathcare included) then they deserve any returns they can get, including their children being granted citizenship and full rights.

I eat the best burritos in the world (in some cases better than Mexico itself due to food safety) and I have not doen laundry or cleaned my house or mowed my lawn in 6 years. Go go Mexicans!

Aletheia · 05-05-2004, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phaenx
You don't think America is ours? You should call Congress and inform them of our grave mistake. Come on guys, back to England.

I can only wish. I'd love to not pay for prisoner's meals and cable tv, but pacific islands are good real-estate, so we can't just dump them on a random island. I guess we could just push them out of a plane into the ocean.

Works for me.

It isn't mine as a person, it is ours as a society. I live with you, and millions of other americans. Whatever is done will affect not only me, but others.

Quote:

Originally posted by Mondak

I eat the best burritos in the world (in some cases better than Mexico itself due to food safety)

Hell yes man.

hilbert25 · 05-05-2004, 04:35 PM

Mexican's aren't the only ones that do manual labor, but in California, they're the only ones that do it cheaply. Look around to the fields, and all you'll see a Mexican workers.

People complain about illegal aliens being a drain on resources, then they point to the migrant workers. People don't realize that affluent people from other countries also come here to do things like get free healthcare (oh i just happened to have this baby while visiting my cousin in New York and I just happen to be uninsured), welfare, etc. while contributing nothing back to the economy. Migrant workers on the otherhand prop up California's economy, all for rediculously cheap prices.

Drider_it · 05-05-2004, 05:22 PM

well when we bid labor here in louisiana at 1.85-2.75 a square foot for a concrete job and a group of mexicans can do it for .. .60-.85 cents a square foot instead.. hell i dont get mad.. i wish we could do that and turn a profit.. but i just dont know how they can get by..

no lie there is a group of 15 adult mexicans that live in a 6 bedroom house in our town.. they share the bills.. and everything.. i know two of them.. nice people.. friendly.. it all about your mindset.. how you were raised.. taught and such..

in our public schools your tought to earn a living by doing little as possible..

these people acutally break thier backs "in a way" making a living cheaper than others and they get by..

shit im proud of them..

but then as long as they are americans.. but then you could say that there are americans that sit on thier fuckin asses drawing a check being a lazy tard.. so who is right..

btw there is two varities of mexican food.. tex-mex and true mexican.. lol i perfer tex-mex but glut on orginial..

viejo gringo · 05-05-2004, 07:55 PM

I think we live in "Northern Mexico"---we are only 5 miles north of the border....I will be up on that hot tin roof with three of them in the morning--they get $5 per hr and I get noyhing--it's my brother-in-laws house and he is disabeled......I just hope they don't work my ass off...if you want to injoy life with them around, just don't act like your better than they are...

The only thing that really pisses me off is to go into Home Depot and they make all of the announcements in spanish....this only happens after the winter texans go north...

charlesesl · 05-05-2004, 08:15 PM

Haha
The mighty america is being invaded be mexico.

Fire · 05-06-2004, 12:23 AM

I have to give a lot of credit to the migrant workers from mexico that I have met- I have watched them on both a construction crew and a cleaning crew, and I have never seen harder workers- despite this, as mentioned, they get the shaft- in the case of the cleaning crew, their boss refered to them as "beaners" and called them all Juan, refused to learn their names at all.... and these people, all of them, loved america, it was as if this place was paradise to them- seems to me that the only people who win in the current situation are the employers who exploit the migrants- the migrants loose out on wages, and americans are not hired/ underbid by companies using illegals-

Gortexfogg · 05-06-2004, 06:16 AM

When I read the title of this thread I thought it was about going a whole day without seeing any Hispanic people, which happened to me after I left California for school. It was actually sort of weird...

I forget where I read it, but the illegal immigrant population provides (or it might be could provide) California with a couple extra seats in the House of Reps when they are counted with the rest. It's something to think about.

I don't mind Mexicans coming and staying legally, but not coming over here illegally and living off of the U.S.

brianna · 05-06-2004, 07:48 AM

fire -- i have been trying to formulate that exact thought for an entire day now

good job.

we discuss illegal immigrants as if they are all evil lay-abouts here to unfairly take advantage of our countries perks (free education, welfare, etc) nor are they a group of saints more worthy of benefits than those of us lucky enough to be born here. they are just people who are trying to give themselves and their families a better life. the discrepancy between their idea of what constitutes better (working for $1/hour doing back breaking physical labor just be able to live in the USA) and the average Americans idea gives me pause. I can't justify denying people what i consider basic human rights just because they were born a few miles too far south.

Cynthetiq · 05-06-2004, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brianna
I can't justify denying people what i consider basic human rights just because they were born a few miles too far south.

how many miles south? what about north? east and west?

We don't get to pick where we are born and to what parents, haves or have nots... it's the luck of the draw.

brianna · 05-06-2004, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
how many miles south? what about north? east and west?

We don't get to pick where we are born and to what parents, haves or have nots... it's the luck of the draw.

i agree... but i don't know how americans can act so entitled about a matter that depends completely on luck.

animosity · 05-06-2004, 10:48 AM

i am sick of hearing "well the mexicans work cheap and will do shit that no one else will do." if there is a job, it will be filled with or with out mexican labor.

i like mexican food just as much as the next person, but that doesnt mean that i would like everyone from mexico to move in with me.

the law is the law...

i think the resent south park, "wetbacks from the future" pretty much sums up this entire discussion.

side note... my uncle is mexican(came illegally) he is a great guy he is now legal, and im glad he is here. but that doesnt change how i feel about immagration laws.

soccerchamp76 · 05-06-2004, 12:20 PM

I go both ways.....yes there is the stereotype that they do all the manual labor, butt if they do it cheaply versus someone else for twice as much, of course you would hire the Mexican.

At other times I would agree with shutting down our borders.

burnination · 05-09-2004, 09:50 PM

I live about ten minutes outside of Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky and there has been a total explosion of the Mexican population here over the last few years.

They do work all the crap jobs that so many American teens deem below them and also ones that American adults don't want. What bothers me is that so many of them are not here legally. The apartments where we used to live were constantly being checked out because there would be twenty people living in an two bedroom apartment. Maybe two or three of them were here legally.

I don't have a problem with them coming here. I have no problem with anyone trying to better themselves. I really wish the "system" would do something more to regulate the immigration. They have found a large number of gang members living here illegally and that is not cool. Not only that but for their own protection. There have been several cases where people here illegally have been living in the barns on the farms where they work for little money. They do it because they have to or they may get caught. That is just wrong. If they can develop a new system, maybe this will not be such a regular thing. No one deserves to have to live that way.

My only real beef with people who want to immigrate here from any country is LEARN ENGLISH! I am not saying give up their heritage but just learn English. Whatever country you want to live in, the law should be to learn the native language.

Speed_Gibson · 05-09-2004, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Polyphobic
What about all the wonderfull food we would be missing out on?.....

I grew up an Oregon town nicknamed "Little Mexico" (we read that in a Maryland paper while in Vacation in the 1980's

) where the population is basically no more than 50% caucasian, 25% hispanic (very likely higher now), and 25% Russian.
There is been plenty of very good authentic mexican food there and I for one hate the taste of a good deal of it personally aside from some enchildas and tacos; a good portion of if it I would have to almost gag down. Good German food is delicious in my opinion but even just the smell of refried beans is bad enough. I can eat the fake American crap like Taco Time/Bell but the closer to 'real thing' the harder it gets.
unfortunately good german food is event harder to find here in nowhere, ID as it was in Jax FL.

KWSN · 05-10-2004, 12:22 AM

Long Island has a massive Mexican community and, while not trying to flame or be stereotypical, the economy here would collapse without them. Many, many of them work in landscaping. It's a common stereotype but it's very true. And however nonessential landscaping seems, it is a HUGE, HUGE thing here and life would just be a lot more difficult without it. I live on a street that has a board of directors, and the board of directors here has a landscaping crew come one Wednesday a month and do the rounds on all our lawns. We all pay a certain amount each month to have it done. It is a LIFESAVER for people who just don't have time to mow their lawns, collect leaves, whatever. That would be a huge thorn in all our sides were it not for them, because we're so used to it. I have to say I think that migrant workers are some of the hardest working people in this country. They do the dirty work and make life simply easier for people who don't want to do that. And without them we'd have to do that and we wouldn't even get payed.

pomeranian · 05-14-2004, 03:52 AM

Agreed, as an African American, looking at this social phenomenon is quite an empirical observation to behold over a long frame of time. Many African Americans had the trash jobs, bus jobs, and other menial shit I even remember doing cause that was all that was offered to us even with a college degree; still the case even today, but now it is even tougher for some of us to compete for the shitty jobs cause now we are competing not against fellow North Americans, but our good neighboors down south (though many are confirmed not legal around here for sure) cause it is more cost effective and they don't bitch and start shit like some of my ghetto counterparts that always make a scene.

The whole phenomenon is complex in its roots, yet simple....Many of my peoples fucked up from lack of colaborative progress or getting caught up in the drug culture and so corporate America said "Fuck it...lets get even more cheaper labor". Now places like Norristown, PA which was prodominately Italian and African American now appears to be in the last 5 years a Mexican Phoenix. Problem I see is so complex and has to be broken down in such a manner that a flow chart may be in order to show causes and solutions. There are many....but I think really, this may require global cooperation to solve this social-economic crisis within. As a teacher, I see no attempts of social integration or learning english. I do see gangs which never was around since the early 70's.

Pom

pomeranian · 05-14-2004, 03:59 AM

I concur. By the way....i'm not white. I asked for directions for a street in Norristown, PA and I asked 4 people. None spoke english and 2 had a really bad attitute like I didn't belong there.

It used to be a stomping ground since my teens. Now at 41, I (sad but true in my eyes) don't think the town is fit to even drive through, unless you want to take your chances cause driving through the borough is like taking a chance on morons who can't read english, but are driving and running stop signs (known as the California Stop...drift into intersection, stop one quarter into the traffic to evoke a halt, then proceed obliviously).

rockogre · 05-14-2004, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by viejo gringo
I think we live in "Northern Mexico"---we are only 5 miles north of the border....I will be up on that hot tin roof with three of them in the morning--they get $5 per hr and I get noyhing--it's my brother-in-laws house and he is disabeled......I just hope they don't work my ass off...if you want to injoy life with them around, just don't act like your better than they are...

Mexico extends at least this far North. And I know what you mean by having someone work your ass off. The last time I had my house shingled, thanks to State Farm Insurance by the way, the crew was Mexican. Nice, polite, friendly, and hard working as all hell. It must have been over 110 up on the roof and they worked dawn to dark.

A lot of my friends and neighbors are Mexican. It would be a much sadder place to live if they all went away.

This is, after all, North America, not the USA and them other folks North and South. People that don't get that are just going to have a harder and harder time.

On a side note, I was very disappointed when a friend from Canada told me they are not required to say "eh" at the end of each sentence. How are we going to tell that they are foreigners?

kurty[B] · 06-03-2004, 03:06 PM

A Day Without A Mexican

While I was on vacation in California last weekend I saw this movie. I found it funny, and aside from using obvious stereotypes of various cultures in America to try and prove a point I thought they implemented it well. Yes, the quality of the production was not great at all, but I think it was more about getting a point across than anything.

I loved the jokes about white people saying "We can't have that Ecuadorian and Honduran paint our home, they're illegal Mexicans!" with subtitles stating "Ecuadorians and Hondurans are NOT Mexicans". This hits right at home for me, cause I'll tell people my mother was born and raised in Uruguay and they'll say "Oh, she's Mexican?", and I usually get snide with them and say "Hispanic, yes, Mexican, NO!", and that statement alone coming from people just makes me think they are completely ignorant.

The movie tossed out some facts like Hispanics use $3 billion in welfare resources, but they work to produce $100 billion in revenue.

I do believe people who say that "Mexicans" are a drain on welfare and such factors should really think twice about such statements. The movie ads also stated that "On May 14th there will be no Mexicans", and they tried to have Hispanics protest and not show up to work for that day to attempt to prove how important hispanics are to the California economy, does anyone know how this protest went, or if anyone even followed through with it?

The premise of the movie is pretty much that ALL hispanics disappear mysteriously from California, and Cali is locked in on itself by this pink fog that prevents telecommunications and transportation to anywhere else, and continues with what would happen to California if such a thing happened.

Has anyone else seen this movie? It's currently only showing in select theaters in California and Texas.

viejo gringo · 06-03-2004, 03:26 PM

I bet it never plays down here in deep south Texas....and besides
these Hispanics are also Americans---even the six that came baxk from Iraq in body bags...and one of them was a Mexican who elisted....

Sargeman · 07-07-2004, 10:44 AM

IMO the problem is not the illegal migrant workers or the illegal aliens that come here.

It is the system or the employer that hires them to work and to work for such a low paying fare. If there were no jobs for illegals to have here in the US then guess what? Illegals wouldn't come here. I know my parents would of stayed in Mexico or gone to some other country. I had a discussion with a good ole boy once. He told me that all you "wetbacks" should go back to Mexico and leave the jobs for us americans. So I asked him if he was going to get his ass out into the field and pick the crops... his answer, "that's why we have .......s" (I think you can figure it out.) It's a good thing there are many Americans out there that do appreciate and value the work of the migrant workers legal or illegal.

This is like the welfare system. Why get mad at the people that take advantage of it when the system allows for it to be taken advantage of. Too many loopholes or too easy for people to get many types of handouts. Besides why would anyone want to go out an make minimum wage when they can sit on their asses at home and collect more than minumum wage in government programs?

As to them disrespecting our countries laws by coming here illegally, I'm sure you've never broken the speed limit law or the seatbelt law or the public intoxication law or the driving under the influence law? Isn't that disrespecting our laws?

iamnormal · 07-07-2004, 07:10 PM

Mexico 51st State?
Looks like Mexico can't run their country. Should we take it over?

I remember around 10 years ago the Mexican President came here and asked to legalize the millions of illegals here. That would have thown a monkey wrench in our government system.

charlesesl · 07-07-2004, 08:32 PM

I dont see why do you guys oppose mixican immagrents (legal or otherwise) These people work at dead end jobs for below minimum wage to make sure many of you can sit your fat ass on the tv to watch reality shows. America would not have gotten where it is without the African slaves, the Chinese rail road workers, nor the Indian programmers. Just like Britian would not have industrialized without half a world of colonies supporting it.

SinisterMotives · 07-07-2004, 08:52 PM

I live in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood. The guy upstairs is a 23 year old concrete finisher who supports his wife and two sisters, owns three vehicles including one brand new and one late model pickup, has $10,000 in the bank, and throws kick ass barbecue and beer parties every other weekend. What this dude has accomplished with a little hard work ought to inspire people to take advantage of the opportunities they have in America instead of pissing them off.

kurty[B] · 07-07-2004, 09:21 PM

A friend of my family in the town I grew up in, moved with his wife and family as illegal immigrants to Eagle County, they moved into a poor area of the county and crammed 6-10 people into a small house. They worked as maids, house-caretakers for the wealthy for years. He eventually started a caretaker business, he then bought a duplex, then he started renting out the basement of that duplex, then bought himself another house, and rented out the duplex. I saw him over the fourth of july, his wife has learned english, and we had a great conversation (her english well surpasses my spanish, but I was trying), and they now own multiple houses in vail, and eagle county, they have attained their citizenship, and have a large well educated family. Truly living the american dream.

05-05-2004, 02:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Um, more then just Mexicans work as bus boys and field laborers.... What I'd be worried about is the "Jesus paintings on the hood of your car" market crashing into hell. ZING! __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

05-05-2004, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Polyphobic Runt Location: Denver	What about all the wonderfull food we would be missing out on? I agree with Phaenx. Mexicans aren't the only persons with these jobs. I think it would open up the labor market for these types of jobs. However, it would recover eventually. __________________ <--The great infidel-->

05-05-2004, 03:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phaenx The Northern Ward Location: Columbus, Ohio	Well it's ours now. And there's a border there they're not allowed to cross unless they do it the way we tell them to. Just because something used to belong to someones ancestors does not make it right to break the law. I'll gladly welcome them into the country so long as they do it correctly, but those who chose to disrespect my countries laws can be raptured back to wherever it is they came from for all I care. __________________ "I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

05-05-2004, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mondak Industrialist Location: Southern California	Mexicans are one of the strongest reasons behind the sucess of California and its growth. I would not want to live here without them and I have half a mind to just say open the borders. I don't really want to pay for social programs for illegal alliens who can't find employment or housing or those who need healthcare and did not plan on how they would afford it once they got here. That being said - I believe in risk and return. If they take the risk to be here without a social safety net (heathcare included) then they deserve any returns they can get, including their children being granted citizenship and full rights. I eat the best burritos in the world (in some cases better than Mexico itself due to food safety) and I have not doen laundry or cleaned my house or mowed my lawn in 6 years. Go go Mexicans! __________________ All truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed Second, it is violently opposed and Third, it is accepted as self-evident. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

05-05-2004, 05:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
Drider_it Junkie Location: Louisiana	well when we bid labor here in louisiana at 1.85-2.75 a square foot for a concrete job and a group of mexicans can do it for .. .60-.85 cents a square foot instead.. hell i dont get mad.. i wish we could do that and turn a profit.. but i just dont know how they can get by.. no lie there is a group of 15 adult mexicans that live in a 6 bedroom house in our town.. they share the bills.. and everything.. i know two of them.. nice people.. friendly.. it all about your mindset.. how you were raised.. taught and such.. in our public schools your tought to earn a living by doing little as possible.. these people acutally break thier backs "in a way" making a living cheaper than others and they get by.. shit im proud of them.. but then as long as they are americans.. but then you could say that there are americans that sit on thier fuckin asses drawing a check being a lazy tard.. so who is right.. btw there is two varities of mexican food.. tex-mex and true mexican.. lol i perfer tex-mex but glut on orginial.. __________________ It means only one thing, and everything: Cut. Once committed to fight, Cut. Everything else is secondary. Cut. That is your duty, your purpose, your hunger. There is no rule more important, no commitment that overrides that one. Cut. The lines are a portrayal of the dance. Cut from the void, not from bewilderment. Cut the enemy as quickly and directly as possible. Cut with certainty. Cut decisively, resoultely. Cut into his strength. Flow through the gaps in his guard. Cut him. Cut him down utterly. Don't allow him a breath. Crush him. Cut him without mercy to the depth of his spirit. It is the balance to life: death. It is the dance with death. It is the law a war wizard lives by, or he dies.

05-05-2004, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
irseg Junkie Location: Florida	I think it's funny how liberals argue that we should allow Mexican immigrants because they do all the shitty jobs that no American will do. Is that not perpetuating a racist stereotype that Mexicans are only good enough to do menial labor? How is that any different than saying "we need blacks around; they help the watermelon, fried chicken, and malt liquor industries"? Furthermore, the massive influx of Mexicans has only been happening for the last 10 or 15 years. How did fields get plowed and trash get hauled away before then?

05-05-2004, 03:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aletheia Psycho	What about those who disrespect "your" countries laws but are here legally?

05-05-2004, 04:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
hilbert25 Psycho Location: nOvA	Mexican's aren't the only ones that do manual labor, but in California, they're the only ones that do it cheaply. Look around to the fields, and all you'll see a Mexican workers. People complain about illegal aliens being a drain on resources, then they point to the migrant workers. People don't realize that affluent people from other countries also come here to do things like get free healthcare (oh i just happened to have this baby while visiting my cousin in New York and I just happen to be uninsured), welfare, etc. while contributing nothing back to the economy. Migrant workers on the otherhand prop up California's economy, all for rediculously cheap prices.

05-05-2004, 07:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	I think we live in "Northern Mexico"---we are only 5 miles north of the border....I will be up on that hot tin roof with three of them in the morning--they get $5 per hr and I get noyhing--it's my brother-in-laws house and he is disabeled......I just hope they don't work my ass off...if you want to injoy life with them around, just don't act like your better than they are... The only thing that really pisses me off is to go into Home Depot and they make all of the announcements in spanish....this only happens after the winter texans go north...

05-05-2004, 08:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
charlesesl Psycho	Haha The mighty america is being invaded be mexico. __________________ It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

05-06-2004, 12:23 AM	#15 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	I have to give a lot of credit to the migrant workers from mexico that I have met- I have watched them on both a construction crew and a cleaning crew, and I have never seen harder workers- despite this, as mentioned, they get the shaft- in the case of the cleaning crew, their boss refered to them as "beaners" and called them all Juan, refused to learn their names at all.... and these people, all of them, loved america, it was as if this place was paradise to them- seems to me that the only people who win in the current situation are the employers who exploit the migrants- the migrants loose out on wages, and americans are not hired/ underbid by companies using illegals- __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

05-06-2004, 06:16 AM	#16 (permalink)
Gortexfogg I and I Location: Stillwater, OK	When I read the title of this thread I thought it was about going a whole day without seeing any Hispanic people, which happened to me after I left California for school. It was actually sort of weird... I forget where I read it, but the illegal immigrant population provides (or it might be could provide) California with a couple extra seats in the House of Reps when they are counted with the rest. It's something to think about. I don't mind Mexicans coming and staying legally, but not coming over here illegally and living off of the U.S.

05-06-2004, 07:48 AM	#17 (permalink)
brianna Addict Location: nyc	fire -- i have been trying to formulate that exact thought for an entire day now good job. we discuss illegal immigrants as if they are all evil lay-abouts here to unfairly take advantage of our countries perks (free education, welfare, etc) nor are they a group of saints more worthy of benefits than those of us lucky enough to be born here. they are just people who are trying to give themselves and their families a better life. the discrepancy between their idea of what constitutes better (working for $1/hour doing back breaking physical labor just be able to live in the USA) and the average Americans idea gives me pause. I can't justify denying people what i consider basic human rights just because they were born a few miles too far south.

05-06-2004, 10:48 AM	#20 (permalink)
animosity on fire Location: Atlanta, GA	i am sick of hearing "well the mexicans work cheap and will do shit that no one else will do." if there is a job, it will be filled with or with out mexican labor. i like mexican food just as much as the next person, but that doesnt mean that i would like everyone from mexico to move in with me. the law is the law... i think the resent south park, "wetbacks from the future" pretty much sums up this entire discussion. side note... my uncle is mexican(came illegally) he is a great guy he is now legal, and im glad he is here. but that doesnt change how i feel about immagration laws. Last edited by animosity; 05-06-2004 at 03:31 PM..

05-06-2004, 12:20 PM	#21 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	I go both ways.....yes there is the stereotype that they do all the manual labor, butt if they do it cheaply versus someone else for twice as much, of course you would hire the Mexican. At other times I would agree with shutting down our borders. __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

05-09-2004, 09:50 PM	#22 (permalink)
burnination Upright Location: Kentucky	I live about ten minutes outside of Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky and there has been a total explosion of the Mexican population here over the last few years. They do work all the crap jobs that so many American teens deem below them and also ones that American adults don't want. What bothers me is that so many of them are not here legally. The apartments where we used to live were constantly being checked out because there would be twenty people living in an two bedroom apartment. Maybe two or three of them were here legally. I don't have a problem with them coming here. I have no problem with anyone trying to better themselves. I really wish the "system" would do something more to regulate the immigration. They have found a large number of gang members living here illegally and that is not cool. Not only that but for their own protection. There have been several cases where people here illegally have been living in the barns on the farms where they work for little money. They do it because they have to or they may get caught. That is just wrong. If they can develop a new system, maybe this will not be such a regular thing. No one deserves to have to live that way. My only real beef with people who want to immigrate here from any country is LEARN ENGLISH! I am not saying give up their heritage but just learn English. Whatever country you want to live in, the law should be to learn the native language.

05-10-2004, 12:22 AM	#24 (permalink)
KWSN green	Long Island has a massive Mexican community and, while not trying to flame or be stereotypical, the economy here would collapse without them. Many, many of them work in landscaping. It's a common stereotype but it's very true. And however nonessential landscaping seems, it is a HUGE, HUGE thing here and life would just be a lot more difficult without it. I live on a street that has a board of directors, and the board of directors here has a landscaping crew come one Wednesday a month and do the rounds on all our lawns. We all pay a certain amount each month to have it done. It is a LIFESAVER for people who just don't have time to mow their lawns, collect leaves, whatever. That would be a huge thorn in all our sides were it not for them, because we're so used to it. I have to say I think that migrant workers are some of the hardest working people in this country. They do the dirty work and make life simply easier for people who don't want to do that. And without them we'd have to do that and we wouldn't even get payed. __________________ Your arms are broken!

05-14-2004, 03:52 AM	#25 (permalink)
pomeranian Tilted Location: Philadelphia, PA	Agreed, as an African American, looking at this social phenomenon is quite an empirical observation to behold over a long frame of time. Many African Americans had the trash jobs, bus jobs, and other menial shit I even remember doing cause that was all that was offered to us even with a college degree; still the case even today, but now it is even tougher for some of us to compete for the shitty jobs cause now we are competing not against fellow North Americans, but our good neighboors down south (though many are confirmed not legal around here for sure) cause it is more cost effective and they don't bitch and start shit like some of my ghetto counterparts that always make a scene. The whole phenomenon is complex in its roots, yet simple....Many of my peoples fucked up from lack of colaborative progress or getting caught up in the drug culture and so corporate America said "Fuck it...lets get even more cheaper labor". Now places like Norristown, PA which was prodominately Italian and African American now appears to be in the last 5 years a Mexican Phoenix. Problem I see is so complex and has to be broken down in such a manner that a flow chart may be in order to show causes and solutions. There are many....but I think really, this may require global cooperation to solve this social-economic crisis within. As a teacher, I see no attempts of social integration or learning english. I do see gangs which never was around since the early 70's. Pom

05-14-2004, 03:59 AM	#26 (permalink)
pomeranian Tilted Location: Philadelphia, PA	I concur. By the way....i'm not white. I asked for directions for a street in Norristown, PA and I asked 4 people. None spoke english and 2 had a really bad attitute like I didn't belong there. It used to be a stomping ground since my teens. Now at 41, I (sad but true in my eyes) don't think the town is fit to even drive through, unless you want to take your chances cause driving through the borough is like taking a chance on morons who can't read english, but are driving and running stop signs (known as the California Stop...drift into intersection, stop one quarter into the traffic to evoke a halt, then proceed obliviously).

06-03-2004, 03:06 PM	#28 (permalink)
kurty[B] Sauce Puppet	A Day Without A Mexican A Day Without A Mexican While I was on vacation in California last weekend I saw this movie. I found it funny, and aside from using obvious stereotypes of various cultures in America to try and prove a point I thought they implemented it well. Yes, the quality of the production was not great at all, but I think it was more about getting a point across than anything. I loved the jokes about white people saying "We can't have that Ecuadorian and Honduran paint our home, they're illegal Mexicans!" with subtitles stating "Ecuadorians and Hondurans are NOT Mexicans". This hits right at home for me, cause I'll tell people my mother was born and raised in Uruguay and they'll say "Oh, she's Mexican?", and I usually get snide with them and say "Hispanic, yes, Mexican, NO!", and that statement alone coming from people just makes me think they are completely ignorant. The movie tossed out some facts like Hispanics use $3 billion in welfare resources, but they work to produce $100 billion in revenue. I do believe people who say that "Mexicans" are a drain on welfare and such factors should really think twice about such statements. The movie ads also stated that "On May 14th there will be no Mexicans", and they tried to have Hispanics protest and not show up to work for that day to attempt to prove how important hispanics are to the California economy, does anyone know how this protest went, or if anyone even followed through with it? The premise of the movie is pretty much that ALL hispanics disappear mysteriously from California, and Cali is locked in on itself by this pink fog that prevents telecommunications and transportation to anywhere else, and continues with what would happen to California if such a thing happened. Has anyone else seen this movie? It's currently only showing in select theaters in California and Texas.

06-03-2004, 03:26 PM	#29 (permalink)
viejo gringo Registered User Location: Deep South Texas	I bet it never plays down here in deep south Texas....and besides these Hispanics are also Americans---even the six that came baxk from Iraq in body bags...and one of them was a Mexican who elisted....

07-07-2004, 10:44 AM	#30 (permalink)
Sargeman Insane Location: Texas	IMO the problem is not the illegal migrant workers or the illegal aliens that come here. It is the system or the employer that hires them to work and to work for such a low paying fare. If there were no jobs for illegals to have here in the US then guess what? Illegals wouldn't come here. I know my parents would of stayed in Mexico or gone to some other country. I had a discussion with a good ole boy once. He told me that all you "wetbacks" should go back to Mexico and leave the jobs for us americans. So I asked him if he was going to get his ass out into the field and pick the crops... his answer, "that's why we have .......s" (I think you can figure it out.) It's a good thing there are many Americans out there that do appreciate and value the work of the migrant workers legal or illegal. This is like the welfare system. Why get mad at the people that take advantage of it when the system allows for it to be taken advantage of. Too many loopholes or too easy for people to get many types of handouts. Besides why would anyone want to go out an make minimum wage when they can sit on their asses at home and collect more than minumum wage in government programs? As to them disrespecting our countries laws by coming here illegally, I'm sure you've never broken the speed limit law or the seatbelt law or the public intoxication law or the driving under the influence law? Isn't that disrespecting our laws? __________________ ...because there are no facts, there is no truth, just data to be manipulated. I can get you any results you like, what's it worth to you.....

07-07-2004, 07:10 PM	#31 (permalink)
iamnormal Addict Location: In the id	Mexico 51st State? Looks like Mexico can't run their country. Should we take it over? I remember around 10 years ago the Mexican President came here and asked to legalize the millions of illegals here. That would have thown a monkey wrench in our government system.

07-07-2004, 08:32 PM	#32 (permalink)
charlesesl Psycho	I dont see why do you guys oppose mixican immagrents (legal or otherwise) These people work at dead end jobs for below minimum wage to make sure many of you can sit your fat ass on the tv to watch reality shows. America would not have gotten where it is without the African slaves, the Chinese rail road workers, nor the Indian programmers. Just like Britian would not have industrialized without half a world of colonies supporting it. __________________ It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

07-07-2004, 08:52 PM	#33 (permalink)
SinisterMotives Junkie	I live in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood. The guy upstairs is a 23 year old concrete finisher who supports his wife and two sisters, owns three vehicles including one brand new and one late model pickup, has $10,000 in the bank, and throws kick ass barbecue and beer parties every other weekend. What this dude has accomplished with a little hard work ought to inspire people to take advantage of the opportunities they have in America instead of pissing them off.

07-07-2004, 09:21 PM	#34 (permalink)
kurty[B] Sauce Puppet	A friend of my family in the town I grew up in, moved with his wife and family as illegal immigrants to Eagle County, they moved into a poor area of the county and crammed 6-10 people into a small house. They worked as maids, house-caretakers for the wealthy for years. He eventually started a caretaker business, he then bought a duplex, then he started renting out the basement of that duplex, then bought himself another house, and rented out the duplex. I saw him over the fourth of july, his wife has learned english, and we had a great conversation (her english well surpasses my spanish, but I was trying), and they now own multiple houses in vail, and eagle county, they have attained their citizenship, and have a large well educated family. Truly living the american dream.