Someone want to tell me...

[Mythsaje]

...why the immigration issue has spawned so much fire here on DU? I think MOST, if not all of us, realize the fault lies with the corporations who are exploiting these people to our detriment, not with those people here in an attempt to better their lot in life.

The feuding has gotten out of hand, as well as the spurious cries of racism, when damn near all of the posters I've seen are quite clear as to why they have a problem with illegal immigration in the first place. It's bad for average Americans, and bad for America.

What's to fight about?

[LSK]

1. i dont know

I am wondering how much of it is from newbies and "former republicans" who are not completely unbrainwashed yet?

[shenmue]

3. That's a cheap shot...

as if no one would have a better reason.

[Mythsaje]

5. Sowing dissent is a pretty good reason..

I don't know if another reason would be "better." Just different.

There are a lot of people deliberately muddying the issue here. And it's worth asking why.

[KitchenWitch]

9. I do not think it is a cheap shot at all

Think about it. It takes a lot of time for those in the process of changing their point of view to get informed about all the issues. Immigration has been a wedge issue for decades.

[havocmom]

2. Hear Hear!

:thumbsup:

[pimpbot]

4. Because I don't agree with other's views?

Anyone in this country illegally (ie without going through the proper channels) should not be here. I don't care where they are from, or what their skin color is. However I believe the big problem is the people who give jobs to illegal aliens. Not only are they cheating them out of a legal paycheck, but they are denying a legal resident of this country a job at a legal wage.

Even if a legal resident wanted one of these jobs, I doubt these employers would hire them. The fact thier employees are illegal makes it so much easier on them. If one of them complains, the employee gets documented and probably deported. Maybe a minor fine to the employer? A legal resident would have more power to complain about working conditions because they dont have to fear being deported.

[Mythsaje]

7. Escaping to America

is some peoples' only chance to escape from bone-grinding poverty. The problem isn't with the immigrants, who are doing what they believe they have to do, but with the system and the people who make it possible.

The United States has long billed itself as the "land of opportunity." It's hardly surprised that people will do almost anything for a chance at that opportunity.

It shouldn't make us fight amongst ourselves. We know who the real enemy is, and it's not the people coming over the border.

edited to fix a typo

[KitchenWitch]

10. Well put, Mythsaje!

[Rainscents]

6. I truly believe, this is one issue that is going to turn this country

upside down with major protest, if the Sensenberner's (I think, I am mis-spelling his name) bill is pass. The real problem cause of most of this problem is with Corporation and Businesses, but instead of going after corporations and businesses, Republican bill, it does nothing but, going after little people. I am very sad about this whole issue.

[Lexingtonian]

8. pieties and hypocrisy

Invariably the people who don't like illegals talk the "just enforce the laws on the books" line, with zero comprehension or experience that the laws on the books really only apply to poor people and their enforcement is purely a matter of politics, which is to say: race and class based.

There's also no admission that when the economy is booming, every middle class couple wants a nanny that does the work for cheap and lawn guys who do the work for the price they asked last year.

Illegals are a solution when the economy is booming and a problem when there's recession. All the rest is hypocrisy and more racism than you care to admit.

[Mythsaje]

11. I think it's an excuse for some people

to spew venom and back-stab other liberals. Nothing more than that.

Illegal immigration IS a problem, and it pisses a lot of people off. The blame lies with those who exploit them, not the people searching for a better life.

[laheina]

12. I think that there is fear involved.

If some of these people are truly on the anti side of this issue--and not just disruptors--it's because they are scared regarding what they see as a threat to their livelihood or their way of life. The repugs are masters of inducing and manipulating such fears.

However, they are fears that are largely based on ignorance of the situation. An interesting proof of my point is to check the profiles on some of these people in order to see where they are from. Is Minnesota really awash with Mexican illegals?