I’m about to get political on all yer asses. Look out.
So, front page story of CNN.com: Immigrants Leave AZ
I’m astonished with some of the verbiage they’ve chosen to use. One immigrant’s-rights activist and pastor says, “They don’t want to live in fear, in terror.” Um, what??? In terror? Hello, they broke the law, possibly (probably) stealing a person’s identity in order to get employment. I bet that other law-breaking people are terrified of getting caught, too.
Another gentleman is quoted saying, “I don’t want to live here because of the new law and the oppressive environment,” he said. “I’ll be better in my country.” New law. Hmmm. Apparently the old laws were okay because you could break them without major punishment? And oppressive government, Ahem. Okay. If that’s what you think. Perhaps it WOULD be better if you went to your own country. Try *them* on for size for a bit. Don’t let the door hit ya…
Now, let me also add, that I’m not hating anyone. It’s not about race at ALL, and I am okay with people who break laws. Of course we’re not perfect, and in fact *gasp* there are laws I break– but not many. Anyway, the point is that I don’t judge a person’s character necessarily on them making justifications as to why they’ve broken the law. There have been many illegal immigrants whom I’ve loved very personally, and I don’t think they’re bad people, even though they’re here illegally. At the same time, I’m astonished by the sense of righteousness that is being portrayed by some of these quotes. Maybe that’s why CNN put the quotes in the news– they wanted to elicit this sort of reaction from their readers. Yes, I agree, illegal immigrants are not bad people personally, but at the same time– they’re breaking the law, and sometimes ruining lives by stealing identities. Identity theft sucks, and it’s really hard being the person who is caught on the receiving end of the problems that come up when someone’s stolen your social security number. If now the government is “protecting” itself, then so be it. That’s the governing body’s prerogative. When in Rome, live like the Romans, right? Well, when in America, abide by American law. When you choose to move to another country– and you choose to do it illegally, well then you choose to deal with whatever consequences that come of that. Period. Take a little responsibility for your experience, here folks!!!
Anyway, I have come to a more comfortable place with where I stand on the whole subject. A year or so ago when I worked at the jock strap company, I wasn’t so sure on how I stood on the issue. Yes, there were beautiful, magnificent, wonderful people who worked there, illegally. I loved them, and they loved me. I wasn’t going to run to the ICE and tattle, but I also wasn’t going to let illegal immigrants be my own downfall– nor was I going to protect them or lie to the government for them. I realize the government isn’t perfect, either, and maybe we’re not dealing with illegal immigration properly. Perhaps we’ve NEVER dealt with it in the best way. But the government imposes laws, and it’s our responsibility to follow them. I know, it’s a blanket statement that can be argued by bringing up all of the stupid laws that none of us follow (well some people follow them), but at the same time, it is what it is. If you don’t like the laws, change them. If you don’t want to change them, break them. If you choose to break them, man up when you are punished. That’s how it goes.
This whole sense of entitlement is ridiculous in my opinion. Don’t act like anyone owes you anything. They don’t.
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