The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[lizziebith]

Okay...are *illegal* Canadians the problem being talked about? I don't think any honest person would say so. I think the term "illegal" is code. Code for a group that is currently being scapegoated: Mexicans.

EDIT: wendybeth's post alarms me most: they have won the terminology war and now have everyone paranoid about a person's "status." Consider me freaked.

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by lizziebith

EDIT: wendybeth's post alarms me most: they have won the terminology war and now have everyone paranoid about a person's "status." Consider me freaked.

I suppose there are some people who are using illegal as code. I'm sure there are some people out there that think that way. If that's the sentiment in your community, it is unfortunate. But please don't assume that we are all living that same experience.

Up here, "illegal" is just as likely to mean Chinese as Mexican, if not more so. There are regular news reports of illegal Chinese immigrants coming in through the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma in shipping containers. Or, smugglers take them over the Canadian border, just as happens with the Mexican border. I don't think I've ever heard a local news report about rounding up illegal Mexican immigrants, and I've heard dozens upon dozens about Chinese immigrants.

Maybe the bias is more pronounced on the east side of the state (wendybeth? any comment?) but honestly I wasn't aware that Hispanics were considered a minority until I started having to fill out affirmative action forms when applying for work after college graduation. Maybe I'm horribly naive, but where I lived growing up, I didn't notice the kind of bias you describe. Whenever we talked about minorities we meant African Americans exclusively, because they were the rarity.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by lizziebith

Okay...are *illegal* Canadians the problem being talked about? I don't think any honest person would say so. I think the term "illegal" is code. Code for a group that is currently being scapegoated: Mexicans.

EDIT: wendybeth's post alarms me most: they have won the terminology war and now have everyone paranoid about a person's "status." Consider me freaked.

I don't suppose there are 11 million illegal Canadians in the country. The problem is the flow through the southern border.

Who is they? "They have won the terminology war...." Let me guess what you mean....right wing racists. Open your eyes LB....it isn't just the right side of the political spectrum!

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

The problem is the flow through the southern border.

That's the result, IMHO.

The problem is not enforcing the laws we already have.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Scrooge McSam

That's the result, IMHO.

The problem is not enforcing the laws we already have.

I was meaning that there aren't 500,000 Canadians entering the US illegally every year. It makes more sense to focus on where the problem of a massive flow of people coming across is.

I think it is too tough to define exactly what the problem is. It is many things. Not enforcing laws, catch and release, complete lack of control of the border.....but the biggest problem is the immensely corrupt Mexican government.

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I think it is too tough to define exactly what the problem is. It is many things. Not enforcing laws, catch and release, complete lack of control of the border.....but the biggest problem is the immensely corrupt Mexican government.

Don't think I don't hear you. I do.

I'm just restricting my comment to things we can actually control, if we choose to.