mrspruett

Yeah, thanks BJean. I guess that I am thought to be one of the" suburban housewives" of which some have spoken. I am a wife and mother. I work full-time and I am college educated. I have visited 46 of the fifty states but have never been out of the United States. I live in a very rural area of Indiana and do not live in or near the suburbs of a large city.I am not sure if that makes me a "suburban housewife " or not.I don't know what frame of reference EVA uses to make judgements. The same people who so radically defend a person's right to break our country's laws sure are quick to stereotype others. There are numerous stereotypes linked to illegals and even legal hispanics. I have not mentioned nor do I believe in them. Stereotypes are usually false.The picture that I have in my mind of a suburban housewife is probably false too. I have often thought the life of a "suburban housewife" would be nice but I fear that I would soon be bored. My oldest child chose to learn French as her second language and I feel that is most assuredly her perogative. She was not interested in learning Spanish. She should not be forced to learn Spanish neither should my younger child. My daughter has visited France and Italy and just fell in love with the French culture. Why shouldn't our children get to choose a language they wish to learn? I took Spanish only because there wasn't much of a choice at school. I was able to make excellent grades but have forgotten so much of it because I was not interested in it. I have had no real opportunities or inclination to use it. What I don't use, I forget! I love my life. My husband and I have the means to live anywhere we choose. I have never had to resort to criminal activity to get what I need.I never intentionally break laws and I have never had to. Maybe I am lucky or just honest and hard-working, I don't know.I am very active in my community and do not think I own it or the U.S. I am, however, proud of the country I live in and make no apologies for being so. I feel that perhaps since there are 12 million illegals in the U.S. , there are probably some on LBT. If not I am sure there are some who have loved ones who are here illegally. I think this is what brings out such emotion.I have no idea what incites such anger and hostility. I don't really care what a stranger thinks of me but it just goes to show how opinions based on posts can be wrong. Nothing that has been said here has changed my opinion of people who break our laws and come here illegally. I have learned a lot about international economies and life in neighboring countries though. I enjoy learning and there are some very knowledgeable people who post here. BJean, Green, L8BloomR, Derrick, Carlene, Marimaru, Laurend, etc. I could go on and on listing the intelligent and thoughtful folks here. Like I said, I love to learn. Learning is always good but freedom to learn is even better. I am not a bigot or a racist. It has even been suggested that I am a bad human being because I disagree with people coming here illegally. That is just foolish! Differences of opinion are such a big part of our culture. People are quick to say that this is a "melting pot" but sure don't leave room for a disagreement.LOL I ,for one, get tired of talking about my band all the time. I enjoy a lively debate and presentation of different points of view. I can do that without resorting to personal attacks and insults. Many of you also debate without insulting. Kudos to you. People come into the R&R forum and say that they want to talk only about their band. Why are they in here then? That is what we do in all the other forums, isn't it? Wow, this has turned into a novel. What I have said is from my heart and I appreciate all of you who take the time to share your thoughts and opinions with me. It is AWESOME.

hijack----- Hey Laurend, how are you feeling? I am glad to see you are back posting at LBT. Remember, walk and sip, walk and sip, LOL.

Thanks Faithmd! That was what I was looking for. OOOH those honey bbq are a little high in the carbs. I thought the mandarin orange sounded a little yucky but the bbq are really good. I may try the tuna next.

Derick- what you say does make a lot of sense. Improving the wages, working conditions, etc. in Mexico would lessen the attraction of the U.S.A. wouldn't it? I am sure, as you say, it would be a violent struggle, but hey that is what we are looking at here if things don't improve......violence. People are very angry and the outcome cannot be good if something doesn't change. We suburban housewives are a bloodthirsty bunch of gals

Speaking of the DMV reminded of a funny story that I ,myself ,witnessed recently. I had taken a number and was sitting waiting for my turn. A young local hispanic man who I know and was born in this area entered with an even younger hispanic man. The local man recently left his job of 15 years to become an interpreter (he bragged to everyone how much money he was going to make working for some agency). The younger man started out by speaking through the interpreter but when the name he had given and the social security number did not come up the same, he became agitated. He quit using the interpreter and started yelling,"It's OK. I take it. I take it." (referring to the name that didn't match). The clerk explained to him that she could not and would not issue him a license without proper documention with matching names. The interpreter quickly ushered him out and returned later with yet another older man. I did not hang around to see if the items that guy presented matched up or what.</p>

Bjean- I don't know if Tyson or Cosco do this in ALL their factories. I know they do in the 2 locations they have near me. I have already crossed them off my list of companies that I buy from. By the way the formerly Cosco plant is in Columbus, IN and the Tyson factory is in Corydon, IN. They do require documentation ( as far as I know ) but are given fake papers to verify citizenship or legal status. These facts are so much common knowledge in this area that the illegals readily tell their co-workers after a while on the job. The truck drivers delivering to these plants have to look around to find someone who speaks English near the shipping and receiving area. As I have said, I do know a few people who have worked in these factories but they were U.S. citizens. That is all I know about these companies. Another local culprit is AISIN in Seymour, IN. An illegal recently asked someone I know to go to the DMV for him and get his license tags because he was afraid because of being illegal.They both worked at AISIN. It is an automotive plant.

I think a lot of nations capitalize on the fact that the U.S. tries to be so "politcally correct". Many individuals do as well. We are so afraid of stepping on the toes of certain groups. I, for one, am about ready to jump up and down on their toes if it gets the politicians' attention and pressures them into doing something about the issues that are hurting our nation.

dry chicken, any meat that is cooked on a BBQ grill (too dry), breads. It seems like all the bad things go down easy though, why is that??

I feel so sorry for the victims. Isn't it awful to think that simple things like toothpaste, or medicine could be poison? My sympathy goes out to all those affected.

I wore sweat pants and a sports bra. I do not think I could have tolerated underwire or jeans! The soreness for me only lasted a few days. My port area was tender for about 10 days. Goodluck!!!

Green, I just spit out my water while reading your Scotter comments!

yeah we are a bunch of carnivores, aren't we?

Oh Jachut----except the dog poo one! LOL

Oooh I love casseroles too. These recipes sound delicious! I am going to try them. Thanks!

Green- You are so right. The people I know who worked at Cosco during the shake-up said that the illegals worked along side everyone else. They had the same pay, the same working conditions, and I guess, the same benefits. A few of them even confided to one of my friends that they were underage ( 17 years old) and were using a fake name and card ( social security card or green card maybe). From what I understand the conditions at the Cosco plant were crappy for all the employees, legal and illegal. Although the attention from the public has died down a bit, the plant that was formerly called Cosco is still known to hire illegals. I don't know how they continue to do it unless the fact that the folks do present fake ID's and documents keep the execs in the clear. I do wonder if there was an accident if these folks would get worker's comp or would they suddenly be required to produce more documentation? Your point about the toothpaste is well taken. We do have many people who hate the United States. Even thought the toothpaste thing may have been simple contamination, what if some radical terrorists do something similar? That is another reason that we need to tighten our borders and use as many of our own food and products as we can. Even then, things will get in. It is a scary time. L8BloomR- You are so right about the "made in the U.S.A." thing. We have to be willing to pay more if that is what it takes. EVA- I am sorry that you are so upset. Perhaps you have a more personal experience with this topic than I. As I have said, I do not know anyone who is here illegally so to me it is a political issue not a personal one. Let me assure you that I am not a racist and I have no problem with anyone who comes to our country legally. No my family is not from the Mayflower or inbred LOL. I do have quite a bit of Native American (Cherokee) in my ancestry though. I do think before I type and speak and I think most of my posts are well thought out. There is no way that I can address all the slurs and insults you threw my way except to say that maybe YOUR life would be better if you thought before you spoke or typed. I no longer want to address you because it is obvious that you have a personal experience of some sort that makes you so very angry. Have a nice day! Please don't forget to vote so that you may cast a vote for someone who shares your philosophy....... I most certainly will.

Every time I PB it is my own fault! I take too big of bites. I eat too fast. I am learning but it is a slow process and old habits die hard I guess! I am really trying to slow down, chew well, and do all the things I am supposed to.

Green- I am not sure either why these companies get a slap on the wrist. One such company which was caught hiring large numbers of illegals was Cosco. They make baby beds, strollers, car seats, and some household stuff like step ladders, etc. They were caught with several hundred illegals in their work force. They did eventually change the name of that particular factory but Cosco is still the parent company. There is another local culprit and that is Tyson chicken. They are also well known to hire illegals. The only thing that I can figure out is that these are HUGE companies and $$$$$$$ talks. As I have said earlier, I do not patronize companies that I know use illegals as part of their work force. We cannot, however, know who all these companies are. I just do what I can. I agree the fat cats are as much to blame as the people who come across the borders . They are all breaking the law.

BJean- You crack me up!

Don't all presidents pardon their law-breaking cronies when they get ready to leave office? Granted, it is kinda early in Bush's last term to do this. Clinton, Nixon, and probably a lot more have done this too. I think it is sort of customary. However........ that doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do.

Oh and to anyone who is interested------NO, I have never had a traffic ticket. I am such a nerd............LOL

L8BloomeR-Thanks and yes it would have been nice to have a nanny and a housekeeper when the kiddies were small. I would have been a lot less tired! LOL

-My children learn enough "stuff". They both have 4.0 GPA's. They are also both fine human beings. This does not mean that I think uneducated people are not fine human beings though. I don't think that one topic has anything to do with the other. -The Katrina victims were American citizens but they were not treated nearly as well by our government as the illegals are. They were left in a stadium to die while THEIR own government abandoned them. That was an American tragedy. They were denied medical care and basic human rights. America should not treat it's own citizens like they treated the Katrina victims. EVER. -This is a debate forum and I love it. Nothing I say is intended to offend. It is just my opinion and everyone has one. I just think it is nice to be able to state what you feel about issues that are on everyone's mind. Nothing that is said here really upsets me or causes me grief. I don't personally know any illegals and no members of my family are here illegally. I don't know anyone who is an "anchor baby". I think that is the term I have heard used here. -The only thing we can really do about this issue is to let our politicians know how we feel and be willing to vote them out if they do not follow the wishes of the people they represent. The vast majority of our nation wants this issue handled. We also just have different opinions on how to do this LOL. -I have paid into the social security system all my life and giving amnesty to these people will quickly bankrupt it ( or so they say). I believe it may be bankrupt by the time that I am ready to use it anyway but I believe the people who pay into the system should be the ones who use it. -Like I said, I do not know any illegals personally but there is not a large migrant worker population in Indiana. The lettuce argument seems irrelevant in Indiana.LOL -Next?

jasmine- I was responding to a previous post in which someone stated we should "force our kids to learn stuff" in reference to people not learning the English language. Yes, I used to eat lettuce on fast food ( when I ate fast food) but the e-coli contamination scared me out of my wits. I don't think the rich farmers who hire illegals provide them with such a great existence. I hate to patronize business owners who use illegals and I try very hard not to. NO illegals in my area pick veggies for a living. This is just not the true picture. In some states, I am sure it may be the case. In my area ( I am in Indiana), most illegals work in factories along side American citizens. In fact, factories in our area are frequently "swept" for illegal workers and they are fired and reported to the immigration service but in a few weeks more have taken their place. I guess that I am lucky that I do not live in a border state. I still have a local hospital who has an emergency room and has not been sent into bankruptcy by servicing only people who cannot pay. The government is most assuredly to blame for the sad situation that we are in. However, I do not appreciate being told that MY children are lazy because they don't choose to learn Spanish. They know the language of the country they are living in as well as others they CHOOSE to learn. The numbers of illegals who are in our country DO constitute an invasion ( a large scale one at that). I don't believe anyone said that there was a law forcing us to learn Spanish. If there was such a post, I missed it. It is our choice and many of us choose not to learn Spanish. Some of us prefer to learn French, German, Portuguese, whatever. I, personally, took 4 years of Spanish in high school but it has been so very long ago that I remember very little LOL. This was long before there was this major political debate regarding illegals. I took it because I chose to. I get so sick of being politically correct and it is nice to be able to speak our minds on a hot topic like this and debate each side. I love LBT and I love this forum. Next?

I have quite a few points to make here. -Mexicans do not raise my children or wash my house. I do those things. - I grow my own vegetables. Mexicans do not grow them for me. -There were no immigration laws when the Pilgrims landed so everyone here is not an illegal. - People who break laws are CRIMINALS. Sugar coat it any way you want to but that is the bottom line. - ENGLISH is the national language of our country. You speak whatever language you want but don't expect me or my children to learn Spanish because a bunch of criminals have invaded our country. My daughter is fluent in French by the way because it is a language she chose to learn. She was not forced to speak it because others were too lazy or illiterate to learn the language of the country that they are residing in. - Education is so important for our children. Reading, writing, math, grammar, spelling, and science are so necessary for all children to learn. No child born in America should be forced into a Spanish speaking class because there is no room anywhere else. That is ridiculous. English speaking children belong in English speaking classes unless they choose to be a class which is taught in a language other than English. The fact that children who don't speak Spanish are being put in classes taught in Spanish is horrible and should not be happening. OK, I am getting off my soap box now!!! Oh and by the way, Charlie Daniels does seem to mention gonads quite a bit doesn't he, Green? LOL. I noticed that too. I do agree with him, though, that quite a few politicians need to grow a set!