Politically correct, unless you're an American!
By ms1323
@ms1323 (259)
United States
October 2, 2008 5:02pm CST
Anyone can come to the US and I welcome them. But I don't want to support them. Why is it anyone can come here and receive full benefits (from the taxpayers) from day one when many of our own citizens can not even qualify for any type of assistance? And why must we change our traditions, holidays and languages to suit them?
Immigration is fabulous, it brings people of all different cultures together and exposes all of us to diversity, them included. But I think the government has taken it way too far. A lot of Americans can barely support their own families, especially right now, so why is it our job to support those that chose to come here? Shouldn't they be just as responsible for their own finances, or lack there of, as we are?
There are no more holiday programs at school, which I personally, deeply resent. Some of my fondest memories of school were participating in school Christmas plays, my children wont/don't have the opportunity to experience that bcz it MAY offend someone.
Seems to me we've done more to offend our own citizens than any other group. Why are we the ones that have had to give up so much of our own culture just so they can feel welcome here? And will anyone in a position of power ever figure that out and be brave enough to change it?
2 people like this
10 responses
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Not all immigrants can come here and receive full benefits. The laws governing "benefits" can be determined under both Federal and State law. That's why some benefits are different in different states. Immigrants come here from all circumstances; some are visitors, some are students, some are here as refugees, some are here seeking asylum...there are many different types of immigration status.
How have you had to change any traditions, holidays and languages? I haven't had to. You could always allow your children to participate in Christmas plays at your church, couldn't you?
Can you put yourself in their place and imagine how you would feel if you suddenly had to pick up and leave the country you grew up in for another? Would you be welcomed or would you be resented based on the fact that you spoke English and not your new country's language?
I do agree that immigrants should learn English from the start, just as I would hope to learn the language of any foreign country I ended up in. I just don't think new immigrants (as we are all immigrants in the first place) should be resented because they are looking for something better for their families or because they were forced to leave for their own protection.
3 people like this
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Cheryl in most states it is a in school for children to learn another language so yes it is forced upon us as citizens. You should respect the country which you reside in too many foreign people move here and do not learn the language or play ignorant to the language and i do think that is disrespectful. My great great great grandparents where immigrants I was born here so therefore I am and American. How can you call one an immigrant if born in this land? Immigrants are ones that come from one land to the other for thier reasons.
This country was definately built from the sweat of many of our ancestors but they were the true immigrant.
It has been a tradition for years on end of christmas plays at the school and I think that is all the writer is trying to say.
2 people like this
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
2 Oct 08
okay that should have read in lots of states it is mandatory for our children to take a second language and it is considered a major
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
3 Oct 08
I do agree with your line of thought. I would welcome immigrants from other countries if they are able to support themselves and don't be a burden on the taxpayers. Unfortunately Malta is in this situation right now. It's a small island. Despite being a small nation, Malta is doing its utmost to make her voice heard and is asking the EU countries for burden sharing of this problem.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
3 Oct 08
I am Canadian, but my father was German and when his parents came over there from Romania, they said that there children were now Canadians and would have to learn English. And I cannot understand why we as Canadians and you as Americans have to make the immigrants feel better than we are. When my grandparents came to Canada, they paid their own way. And I am sure that when your grandparents, great grandparents, great great grandparents did, they did not ask the government for a handout.
If the immigrants are sponsored by a family or a group, it is up to the family and the group to help support them until they get on their feet. It is not as if these immigrants are illegal, they do have a right to get a job and work like everyone else.
And we should not change our holidays, traditions, and languages to suit them. Why should one has secular holidays so we do not offend the hedonists? And why should Muslims be given special privileges? It is not fair. America should be for Americans first.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
9 Oct 08
Your welcome. I do not like other people taking jobs from Americans. If
Americans will do it, yes, but I would suppose even if it were a low end job like dig ditching or picking up cans, Americans would do it just because they would be ashamed of sitting on their butts. OH thanks for the best response.
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I can understand what you are saying ms1323. My husband just got done reading an article in the paper about a free dental clinic. The hitch to this free clinic was that you had to be of a certain race. It helps that the town supports illegal immigrants. We don't quailfy for anything free for our children. There are some months that I have to pick which bills we will pay. It would be nice to be able to save money because we were able to go to the "free" clinic. Some of my childrens medical bills are draining us yet we don't qualify for help.
No, you won't find any help with politicians. Heck we have politicians who are trying to find ways for the illegal immigrants to vote.
2 people like this
@ms1323 (259)
• United States
3 Oct 08
Im sorry for your troubles. Let me guess, you make just a little too much money to qualify for help?
So if this clinic is only for people of a specific race, wouldn't that be RACISM? They (the government) talk that we are all equal, yet these kinds of situations point out that we are not. Why can't it just be a clinic for everyone, of every race that is in need of help?
1 person likes this
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Well, I think everyone should feel welcome and feel like an equal. Christmas is a religious holiday, so it might make a child of a different culture be ashamed to be different. I mean, our country is a little more than disorganized, but I'm sure we will all pull through like we have all these years, and that's what has brought us all together.
@ms1323 (259)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I agree, we should all feel equal. That's my point. I don't feel equal, and the reason I don't is bcz we are not treated as equals. We've become so politically correct that we have given up parts of our own culture. How is that fair, we didn't go anywhere. Here in America, we have/had certain traditions that were celebrated publically. I believe it is the responsibility of others that come here to "melt" with us. They don't have to celebrate with us, but why should our existing traditions be changed? I don't want any child to feel ashamed of his/her religion or anything else. I just don't agree that it is up to us to do the changing.
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I am of catholic faith and I do say Merry Christmas to everyone. Friends of mine will tell me Happy kwanza, Happy Hunnika and so on and I wish it right back at them. Why cant we just wish eachother the day that it is? This does not make sense.
The system does have some loop holes this I do believe but from what I have experienced most people that come to this country come for the opportunity to make money and work.
1 person likes this
@balasri (26537)
• India
3 Oct 08
I think the immigrants are interviewed and scrutinized thoroughly of their qualification and what they can offer to the betterment of the country before given a visa to America.The immigrants have contributed to the growth of the country with their education and skills.Could the dearth of the qualified American personal in some fields led America welcome the qualified immigrants?
1 person likes this
@goldenapple951 (455)
• United States
3 Oct 08
I too love different cultures but alot of our own citizens are suffering.
Lets take care of home
1 person likes this
@Mikaela_taz25 (1842)
• Philippines
3 Oct 08
I agree with your statement. it's not like they were there just to get along with the citizens and embraced the culture. it's all for the money. that was it.
1 person likes this
@nageshnnr (85)
•
3 Oct 08
what u said is true to my knowledge but what i hope is there is a lot generation gap due to advancement in software development .especailly ....the internet.
so what i feel is it a stage for all of us and create an awareness programme for ur traditions and cultures....,unless started by none ....we cannot encourage ....so if u r really entrhusiasic and to maintain the culture...so hope u can organise camps for get together.........like......so
lastly its just an advice and its upto u sir ........
