The Pros and Cons of Illegal Immigrants

February 29, 2008· To form my opinion on Illegal (IL.) immigrants I have to balance my love for America with my Christian morals of being the good samaritan. I want my kids, our schools and my neighbors to live a safe and prosperous life. At the same time I want those repressed and downtrodden immigrants to be able to come to the land of opportunity.

So how do we balance the Republican tide of shutting off the world, with the Democrat view of letting the masses in? This forces the Republicans to look like the bad guys and the Democrats to look like they're weak on defense. In either case, it's all smoke and mirror politics. One side is trying to make the other side look bad, so their side can win an election.

Who gains and who loses when you have IL. immigrants?

Pro – Immigrant makes money in America to send to family.

Pro – Business gets cheap work.

Pro – Business doesn’t have to pay taxes.

Pro – Business doesn’t have to pay for healthcare.

Pro – Business doesn’t have to contend with OSHA.
 
Pro – Upper class Americans can save money on maids, lawn care, etc.

Con – America loses money on taxes.

Con – America’s schools lose funds teaching kids of IL. immigrants.

Con – Middle- and lower class Americans lose jobs to IL. immigrants.

Con – Nation's hospitals lose money in charity treatment of IL. immigrants.

Con – Nation is forever in bilingual debate.

Con – Those that come to America legally are disadvantaged in comparison having spent so much effort.

Con - Lack of control on how many terrorists make it across the border.

Con – Increased crime; A criminal will never take the proper route.

So having done this I feel that immigrants and Republicans stand more to gain from a porous border at the expense of the nation's taxes, middle class and security.
 

B. Masters

Equal Playing Field

From: Tim P.……………(Last name withheld by request. Ed.)
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 10:49 AM
To: Navarro, Peter
Subject: CNBC Squawk Box / China trade



Dear Professor Navarro,

I just listened to you on CNBC's Squawk Box.
Your summary of issues of trade with China is the best that I have heard
in some time.
Could you email to me the site of the China commission that you
mentioned, I would
like to follow it?

Two years ago, I was approached by a Chinese businesswoman from the PRC
to export used cars to the PRC.
In the end, it was not PRC import tariffs that prohibited the trade.  It
was the PRC law that forbids the
importing of any used cars, under any condition.   As I recall, Buick
sedans are a car of choice, and
are produced in the PRC by GM.  If it were not illegal to export Buicks,
I could be competitive with a good profit
margin and export between 6000 and 20000 one year old Buicks a year.
In the end, the deal was worth $20 million
in US exports.  PRC only wants to import one American good, the dollar.
In the end, China is holding us hostage to
inflation via cheap labor, and buying up excess dollars.

There are many needs for small American businessmen knowhow in China.
We are precluded by Global Corporations and
policies of foreign Governments with emerging economies.

I agree with you, it is time, to do something significant to create a
fair playing field.  Every year that it is put off,
the more painful the cure will be to the USA.

Thank you for your insight,

Tim P.

Letters from around the Southland—Regarding where California:should be spending its funds? (Note: the Sierra Madre Eagle is read all around the Southern California. Ed.)

The state should spend its funds on improving the quality of education by attracting more qualified teachers. It's important to take advantage of this development, leave behind the debate on class size and focus on instruction. --- Jorge, catch up with your demographics. The makeup of students in LA is more US born than immigrant; that's part of the recent the numbers are going down. This is not only a story of large families leaving the area due to high rents, but its' also a function of US-born Latino families beginning to outnumber immigrants. Get the facts straight and stop using immigrants as a scapegoat for your frustration.

Maria Orozco, Highland Park

February 15, 2008

I live around the corner from the possible echo park new school. They have left dozens of abandoned houses sitting there like a ghost town. The fence around this mess has been tagged and tagged and tagged. It is now the biggest eye sore in Echo Park. Either put up the modern school or put the people in the houses so life can return to my neighborhood.

Gary Sims, Los Angeles

February 12, 2008

Tax Dollars at Work--LAUSD Administration's Beaudry Building

LAUSD has not built a single school on the Westside in decades. The handful of K-5 schools that are decent like Warner, Fairburn, Roscomare, Wonderland and Westwood Charter, are bursting. Most of the Westside and hills have no schools at all. But the district has kept building schools for immigrant (25% illegal) students. Those who pay the big taxes and are barely middle class anymore are gypped. There are no middle and high schools for local Westside or hillside kids at all. Emerson Middle and Universal High are in disrepair and full of bused in kids. LAUSD has been negligent even when it had money.

Jill Richardson, North Hollywood

February 8, 2008

We certainly should not be spending more money on a torrent of illegal immigrants. Those of us who came here legally did so our kids can have a better education. Not to support those who break the law to bring education down to Mexican standards.

Jorge Ramirez, El Monte

February 4, 2008

Letters Regarding Health Care Reform
(Recently the Eagle has received a number of letters regarding health care reform. Apparently these readers agree with the need to change the current medical delivery system and the need to lower the cost of drugs. Often readers are ahead of the curve and affect the content of the magazine. This is one of those occasions. Ed.)

I agree that the lack of health care is a huge problem. The REAL problem (the one the title points to) is that we ordinary unlobbied citizens have lost our representative government. The answer I hoped to hear was how we take government back.

I often see and hear solutions presented too many issues, but dispare of getting any elected officials to implement them.

We are about to reelect in November about 80 to 90 percent of the people who have done a truly unremarkable job so far. (Well, no remarks fitting for children and ladies to hear anyway.)

In two more years we will choose once again from a pathetic field of candidates. From the last three we got these memorable quotes:

“Read my lips, no new taxes.” and “I don’t have the vision thing.” (G.H.W.B)

“It depends on what is IS.” and “I did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinski.” (W.J.C.)

“Mission accomplished.” and “I don’t read newspapers.” (G.W.B.)

Of course national health care makes perfect sense. Anything is better than the current system. The health care system is sucking as much surplus dollars out of the productive economy as the energy industry.  The US automakers are by far hurt the most with $1,500/vehicle cost addition due to health care costs.  When I was a construction laborer eleven years ago the Laborers’ International Union added $3.00/man hour to the wage bill to cover health insurance costs.  That is an effective 15%/hour raise for the entire staff just for health care.  The health care corporations are greedy and are raising costs just to gain record profits. They’ve stolen enough. It’s not about doctors, nurses, or other providers.  Most of the health care cost increases do not going to their salaries or fees but to the corporations. Who needs the corporate takeover of health care?  I just heard a story of a young surgeon who did a complex nine hour spinal surgery on a cancer patient who was denied post operative physical therapy because she was not expected to live and the money was viewed as wasted by the HMO. The surgeon, who received only $900.00 from what was assuredly a six figure procedure, was understandably livid at the HMO’s disregard for his patient’s recovery chances.  We need health care for people not for profit in this country.  We need it now!

The problem with healthcare is Americans are “FAT & LAZY”. 

When I went to Europe on a business trip for 2 weeks ... I couldn’t believe it when I got off the plane in NYC.  Walking down the concourse I looked at my boss and I said “what do you notice?”

He said “everyone is fat”. 

If your fat and don’t exercise you drive up the cost, plus all of the illegal’s, plus all of the fraud, plus all of the lawsuits.

The problem is managed care which wastes hundreds of billions of dollars on administrative and other redundant costs which could be saved in a single payer system. More people would have access to care and the money lost through delinquency would be saved by a more stable system of collecting and charging for premiums and by taxing to fund the system.  We would spend less per capita and insure more people. Also, certain fees for procedures should be regulated.  Health care providers should have more say in policy than corporate suits.  A public trust could administer the funds for the system which allow free choice of health care providers and decisions about care and confidentiality between doctor and patient would be better preserved in this system than under managed care.  I personally found it appalling that 18,000 people die unnecessarily every year of curable illnesses when Managed Care CEOs are raking in millions of dollars while there is 15% uninsured and unchallenged waste in the private corporate system.  Where are all those “pro-life” hypocrites on behalf of the unnecessary deaths of real live uninsured infirm of America?  As usual, real human life is not their true concern!

One study a few years ago estimated that of the nearly $400 billion spent in the private US health system in administrative costs alone in 2003, a single payer system would have saved as much as $286 billion or nearly $7,000 per uninsured in the US at that time.  The number of uninsured in the US in 2003 was officially estimated at over 41 million people or 15% of the US population.  The administrative cost savings gained by shifting to a single payer system could have easily paid for a comprehensive health coverage program for the entire uninsured population many of whom are children!  The argument for such a system is irrefutable and will become more so as employer health costs price US goods and services out of the market and/or leave more people uninsured.  A single payer system along with some kind of modest regulation with regard to medical fee increase rates should currently allow for total comprehensive health care coverage for all US citizens.

Letter of Introduction from Stacy Nichols

Dear SMMS 7th grade parents,

Hi! My name is Stacy Nichols and I'm your child's new English teacher (and in some cases, History teacher).  I'm so happy to be at SMMS and working with all of your wonderful children.  Not a day goes by that I don't laugh (or cry) at something they've said or done because there's something new every day!  But seriously, we have a lot of fun together and they are truly interesting little human beings who are unique in every way. 

I've been teaching for a little over 4 years, primarily in Elementary (Kindergarten, Third, and Fifth grades).  I taught at Pilgrim School, a top ten private school, in Los Angeles, for three years and then made the switch to public school last year. Although this is my first year teaching middle school, I have lots of practical experience since I'm the mother of a beautiful yet sarcastic 6th grader, Nika.  So I can empathize with all of you when we lament together about the trials and tribulations of raising a middle schooler :) 

 My Philosophy of Teaching

My philosophy of education is simple: My goal for students is to become life-long learners so they can create a place for themselves in society that brings meaning and contributes positively to all. To achieve that each child needs to know and appreciate their own talents and gifts and use them accordingly. I use Howard Gardener's Multiple Intelligences in the classroom and try to have students focus on their strengths while working on their weaknesses. I know not every student will love reading as I do or want to write that essay but hopefully through exploration and imagination I can create an environment in which they aren't afraid to try so they can experience the possibilites that await them when they succeed.

In addition to my teaching career, I also own a small business that supplies book fairs to preschools and allows individuals and families to create and publish their own books.  And, I've just embarked on my next project as a freelance writer for various newsletters and magazines on topics related to eduation.  Whew, are you tired yet? I am - now I know why I've been getting all those headaches!

So, if you need to get a hold of me or just need a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, or just someone to talk to when your child won't, I can be reached at stacyann96@gmail.com until the district sends me an email account.  I am available for conferences Tuesday - Friday at 9:00 am or after school 2:45 - 3:30. I look forward to meeting every one soon!

Changes to 2nd Semester 

I'm making a few changes to the curriculum for 2nd Semester:

We'll be starting a new vocabulary program, Wordly Wise, next week.  I want the students' vocabulary enriched so they will have a weekly packet given on Monday which is due on Friday.

I also want them to start reading more literature.  Unfortunately, there isn't much money available in the budget for class sets of books - I'm looking for parents interested in helping with fundraisers to raise money for books - email me!

Finally, we'll be starting a goals-setting program on Fridays. These weekly mini-lessons will help them realize the big picture and prepare them as they approach high school and their future endeavors. 

I'll also be sending home with your child and via email additional ideas for extra credit projects in English and History.

Classroom Requests

If you'd like to help out with supplies for the classroom, here's a list of things we need:

Highlighters (Green, yellow, and pink)

Jolly Ranchers (great incentives)

Green, yellow, and pink dot stickers used to color code items - found at office supply stores

magazines

Thanks!

Stacy Nichols

(I for one am glad to have you Stacy. Welcome to Sierra Madre. Ed.)

Residents Appalled by Report that Illegal Immigrants Cost L.A. County $1.1 Billion A Year

(Taxpayers in the nation’s most populous county pay more than $1 billion annually for services that go to illegal immigrants with the biggest chunks going to welfare and food stamp benefits followed by healthcare.

A new report published by the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services reveals that the county spends $440 million a year on welfare and food stamp benefits for illegal aliens and $400 million on healthcare, contradicting immigration advocates who assure illegal aliens don’t use social services. An additional $220 million is spent annually on incarceration costs. In July of this year alone, Los Angeles County taxpayers spent more than $35 million on welfare benefits and food stamps for illegal immigrants who live in the sprawling county of more than 10 million residents. Each month illegal aliens get welfare benefits through a state program called CalWorks totaling $20 million in addition to $15 million in food stamps.

The county supervisor who requested the report, Michael Antonovich, points out that the figures don’t even include the skyrocketing cost of education. He requested the report to further document the “devastating impact” that illegal immigration continues to have on Los Angeles County taxpayers. Antonovich represents a portion of the county that is roughly twice the size of Rhode Island and has about 2 million residents. The following are a few of the many responses we have received from readers about the rising costs of illegal immigration. Ed.)

Comments

Wow, that's a whole lot of money literally being given away. And this is just for the Los Angeles county area. It's sickening how much money is poured into supporting illegal immigrants. Our tax dollars are being thrown away to illegal immigrants and this has got to stop. I have a ways to go before retiring, but if this trend continues, there isn’t going to be much left for me if I truly need help. It's sad, I'm American and I'm working my butt off and watching big government spending my tax dollars for illegal immigrant benefits.

And they say they only come for a better life, yes only to get a free ride on taxpayer. Ask yourself why we have allowed this to happen and why we are losing our country to Latin America and our English language to the Spanish language. Our public schools in Florida are bilingual, this is wrong, our American children who only speak English are being outcast by the Spanish students...This must stop!

If they were legal, they would pay taxes, so what’s the problem here? Just make them legal, make them pay, and problem solved.

Great. This is what I sweat and toil at work for?! To aid the lawbreakers?!

Deport all of them! Or better yet, they'll save us the deportation costs if we just enforce current laws and take away their incentives to be here; they'll self-deport if we stop supporting them! Their slave labor may save big business money, but I'd rather pay more for my tomatoes than all the money in taxes for ILLEGALS.

Oklahoma is about to be sued in court for the rights of non-citizens. If you think making them legal and having them pay taxes is going to fix the problem just wait until you add 20 million non-assimilating Hispanic citizens to the voting ballots.

Enforce our laws. Fine the employers that hire them. My wages as a carpenter are poverty level right now. I have been doing construction to long. Illegals have cut my wages in half. This is out of control. All of my Friends that do Construction are in the same boat as I am. This Economy is going to hell we have Illegal’s working here and we have imported goods from other Countries, What is left for Americans? Soon we will be nothing unless we enforce the laws.

This whole affair has been going on for how many years? On and on, and on some more. Law Enforcement on the border was the simple cure and Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bush didn't do that. Why?

We need a national ballot initiative very badly. Our congress ignored our requests/demands, and now we are in a jam that will take years to fix, and billions to fix. But clearly, cost less to fix than to allow assimilation. We NEED a national ballot initiative.

What a Country!
> (Actual letter from an Iowa resident and sent to
> his senator)
>
> The Honorable Tom Harkin
> 731 Hart Senate Office Building
> Phone (202) 224 3254
> Washington DC, 20510
>
> Dear Senator Harkin,
>
> As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the
> Internal Revenue Service, I
> am writing to ask for your assistance. I have
> contacted the Department of
> Homeland Security in an effort to determine the
> process for becoming an illegal
> alien, and they referred me to you.
>
> My primary reason for wishing to change my status
> from U.S. Citizen to
> illegal alien stems from the bill which was
> recently passed by the Senate and for
> which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's
> provisions is accurate,
> as an illegal alien who has been in the United
> States for five years, all I
> need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000
> fine and income taxes for
> three of the last five years. I know a good deal
> when I see one, and I am
> anxious to get the process started before everyone
> figures it out.
>
> Simply put, those of us who have been here legally
> have had to pay taxes
> every year, so I'm excited about the prospect of
> avoiding two years of taxes in
> return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way
> that I can apply to be
> illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent
> result for me and my family
> because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.
>
> Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin
> using the local emergency
> room as my primary health care provider. Once I
> have stopped paying premiums
> for medical insurance, my accountant figures I
> could save almost $10,000 a
> year.
>
> Another benefit in gaining illegal status is that
> my daughter would receive
> preferential treatment relative to her law school
> applications, as well as
> 'in-state' tuition rates for many colleges
> throughout the United States for my
> son.
>
> Lastly, I understand that illegal status would
> relieve me the burden of
> renewing my driver's license and making those
> burdensome car insurance premiums.
> This is very important to me given that I still
> have college age children
> driving my car.
>
> If you would provide me with an outline of the
> process to become illegal
> (retroactively if possible) and copies of the
> necessary forms, I would be most
> appreciative.
>
> Thank you for your assistance.
>
> Your Loyal Constituent,
> Donald Ruppert
> Burlington, IA
>
> Get your Forms NOW!! Call your Internal Revenue
> Service at 1-800-289-1040.
>
> Please pass this onto your friends so they can save
> on this great offer!!!!