Immigration

[Bobbie En Tejas]

...but my politics are quite left so im probably too radical or something for people

I'm a lefty myself, ponyboy... not sure if anyone noticed

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Anyway, America was built on immigrants, but scotland is different. Thats why I wanted to know what people there thought, and if you thought you were losing or gaining in the process.

[dgraves]

More what I am saying is, let them come and do their jobs without having to take the great risk of dying for the opportunity. If we just let them come and work and do their jobs, they can pay taxes with their paychecks the same as you and I do. I don't get free health care.. as a matter of fact, I don't have health insurance. I can't get health care because I am not poor enough to get on the government care and I am not rich enough to afford to pay for it myself. I am self employed, so don't have the benefit of having a company pay a good portion for me. Is my health any less important than anyone else's?

My point is, if they are allowed to work, they pay taxes, they get the same benefits I do, and the same hardships I do. Maybe the farmers and ranchers who have been benefiting from the sweat of their backs for years should contribute to their health care and pay higher taxes for their education.

As it is now, it is all a charade. They are welcomed and wanted to do the jobs they do, as long as everyone plays the game right, but in doing that, they drown or die trying to cross the arizona desert or in the back of semi trucks or rail cars. Just let them work....

I guess part of the problem would be solved if it were easier to obtain a green card to work in the US temporarily. That would be a partial solution, as then they would be obligated to pay taxes. As it is now, they do not pay taxes and the bulk of their earnings goes back to their families in their countries of origin. I would like to see the suffering they endure to enter the US stopped as I imagine most would. As far as medical goes...thats a different can of worms! We pay through the nose for medical, whereas they do get medical for free, being at the poverty level.

Thanks Bobbie..it is a problem that needs to be addressed. I'm glad you brought it up. I would really like to know how the immigrants are integrated into the community of Campbeltown. I'm sure we could learn something.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

More what I am saying is, let them come and do their jobs without having to take the great risk of dying for the opportunity. If we just let them come and work and do their jobs, they can pay taxes with their paychecks the same as you and I do. I don't get free health care.. as a matter of fact, I don't have health insurance. I can't get health care because I am not poor enough to get on the government care and I am not rich enough to afford to pay for it myself. I am self employed, so don't have the benefit of having a company pay a good portion for me. Is my health any less important than anyone else's?

My point is, if they are allowed to work, they pay taxes, they get the same benefits I do, and the same hardships I do. Maybe the farmers and ranchers who have been benefiting from the sweat of their backs for years should contribute to their health care and pay higher taxes for their education.

As it is now, it is all a charade. They are welcomed and wanted to do the jobs they do, as long as everyone plays the game right, but in doing that, they drown or die trying to cross the arizona desert or in the back of semi trucks or rail cars. Just let them work....

I guess part of the problem would be solved if it were easier to obtain a green card to work in the US temporarily. That would be a partial solution, as then they would be obligated to pay taxes. As it is now, they do not pay taxes and the bulk of their earnings goes back to their families in their countries of origin. I would like to see the suffering they endure to enter the US stopped as I imagine most would. As far as medical goes...thats a different can of worms! We pay through the nose for medical, whereas they do get medical for free, being at the poverty level.

Thanks Bobbie..it is a problem that needs to be addressed. I'm glad you brought it up. I would really like to know how the immigrants are integrated into the community of Campbeltown. I'm sure we could learn something.

since most of the ones that come here are in the eu, they have every right to be here
most of them work too, so noone can complain about them. not really

[Bobbie En Tejas]

I think the most ironic thing about illegals working in the US is that we don't want them to work supposedly for fear they will take our jobs, and then we send all our jobs overseas lol

Do you all have room for an American?

[Annie]

Hold on to your open door approach there Bobbie! I agree with Dorian!

Bobbie, I am in sympathy with the latin immigrants as I work with them on a daily basis through the courts. But... they cannot work in the US illegally and be expected to survive without the 'free' education, medical, and other assorted handouts from the government that you and I pay for as long as they are illegally here. As long as they are illegal they pay no taxes, therefore are dependent upon you and me for support. I'm just asking you...what is your solution? You are saying 'just let them come work' because of the hardships they endure trying to access a better paying job? That is what we have been doing for decades. They bring their families that need care. You and I are the ones that have been and will foot the bill.

I am truely interested in your response. It is a question that is confounding the whole country...but not a new one.

I am a Scottish immigrant to the States. I came here legally. I have paid ALL the FEES, filled out each and EVERY form in TRIPLICATE. Been subjected to medical exams, and my past has been scrutinized with a very fine tooth comb. If I can get here LEGALLY, become a LEGAL RESIDENT ALIEN and go through the proper channels, then why can't other immigrants to the States.

I think that it is bullshit that Bush thinks he can grant instant immunity to some and then not to others, who like myself, come from a English speaking country, have been decently educated, will work AND pay taxes and foot the bills for their own health care coverage. These kinds of people would actually benefit the economy and not flood it with their family members, who in turn reap the benefits paid by the rest of us.

Don't get me wrong, I am not just directing this towards the Hispanic people. I live here in Hawaii and see all kinds of mixes of Hawaiian/Samoan/Oriental people (Chinese, Japanese, Philippino, Korean and Taiwanese) doing the same thing. In all actuality, the Orientals are worse! They refuse point blank to speak English and form small communities of their own and do business with each other. They lapse into their native language at every opportunity. In fact, so much so, that the military in Hawaii has actually banned such lapses into native tongues as there were several instances where it was getting out of hand and becoming very racist.

Also, for me to become an American ciitizen, I have to pay a very large fee, and take a test. The test being such that if you asked the general American public, Joe Shmoe guy, more than half of them would not be able to answer.

I am sure that this is not a shock to anyone reading this as it happens everywhere, be it in Scotland, England or the States!

I am not pointing the finger at any one race or religion, etc., but feel it is necessary that if people want to belong in a different country other than their country of origin, they should do it legally, pay the fees, fill out the damn forms and wait in line like the rest of us, and not just for a hand out either!!

So now that I have said that, I am off to start doing my taxes! April 15th will be here before we know it! DARN!!!!!!!!!

[Ship called Dignity]

I'm glad you brought it up. I would really like to know how the immigrants are integrated into the community of Campbeltown. I'm sure we could learn something.

Thats easy - we just ship them upto Carradale!

[A Horse called Juan Face]

goodness sake p, were having a serious conversation here

bah!

[dgraves]

goodness sake p, were having a serious conversation here

bah!

What hoops would you have to jump through if you were a non-EU member seeking residence in Scotland?

How difficult would it be to apply for British citizenship?

[Bobbie En Tejas]

Hold on to your open door approach there Bobbie! I agree with Dorian!

I am a Scottish immigrant to the States. I came here legally. I have paid ALL the FEES, filled out each and EVERY form in TRIPLICATE. Been subjected to medical exams, and my past has been scrutinized with a very fine tooth comb. If I can get here LEGALLY, become a LEGAL RESIDENT ALIEN and go through the proper channels, then why can't other immigrants to the States.

I understood that you were married to an American, which puts you in a whole different category, Annie.

I think that it is bullshit that Bush thinks he can grant instant immunity to some and then not to others, who like myself, come from a English speaking country, have been decently educated, will work AND pay taxes and foot the bills for their own health care coverage. These kinds of people would actually benefit the economy and not flood it with their family members, who in turn reap the benefits paid by the rest of us.

To be fair, the illegals I know work very hard. I have one friend, in particular, who came over and worked for $4 a day 25 years ago (that was a pittance even then). He would stand downtown with others, and the ranchers and other employers would come down and get them to work all day and take them back to the street corner at night. He worked, eventually married, eventually owned a plumbing company and is one of the hardest working men I know. As a matter of fact, a house that I bought a few years ago with my ex was a big rock house, and he is the one who did the work years ago. Years later when we bought it, he was our guest and our friend.. he would inspect to make sure it was still perfect. He would touch it. Better work you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere. He took great pride in what he did.

And speaking of bush, I do wonder how many illegals his family has hired over the years.

Don't get me wrong, I am not just directing this towards the Hispanic people. I live here in Hawaii and see all kinds of mixes of Hawaiian/Samoan/Oriental people (Chinese, Japanese, Philippino, Korean and Taiwanese) doing the same thing. In all actuality, the Orientals are worse! They refuse point blank to speak English and form small communities of their own and do business with each other. They lapse into their native language at every opportunity. In fact, so much so, that the military in Hawaii has actually banned such lapses into native tongues as there were several instances where it was getting out of hand and becoming very racist.

I would bet the majority of the people in Hawaii were Hawaiian, polynesian and asians. I never did understand why people have a problem with other people speaking their own language. It is bizarre to me.

Also, for me to become an American ciitizen, I have to pay a very large fee, and take a test. The test being such that if you asked the general American public, Joe Shmoe guy, more than half of them would not be able to answer.

While it may not be difficult for you or someone who is very well educated to raise the funds, we are talking about people who pick lettuce. How many people are willing to come into the country from English speaking nations and pick our lettuce and work in our fields? How much can a worker who has to travel from place to place according to the growing season and the work earn to pay the high fees required to take the test?

I am not pointing the finger at any one race or religion, etc., but feel it is necessary that if people want to belong in a different country other than their country of origin, they should do it legally, pay the fees, fill out the damn forms and wait in line like the rest of us, and not just for a hand out either!!

I agree, but lets not make it impossible. I don't think it should be all that expensive or complicated for anyone to come here, as long as they are willing to work and not expecting a free lunch.

Now, Annie, having said all that, what do you think of my original questions about Kintyre?

[Bobbie En Tejas]

I'm glad you brought it up. I would really like to know how the immigrants are integrated into the community of Campbeltown. I'm sure we could learn something.

Thats easy - we just ship them upto Carradale!

hahahaa Very funny. What do they do with them? Feed them to the bochans?

[Annie]

Annie wrote:
Hold on to your open door approach there Bobbie! I agree with Dorian!

I am a Scottish immigrant to the States. I came here legally. I have paid ALL the FEES, filled out each and EVERY form in TRIPLICATE. Been subjected to medical exams, and my past has been scrutinized with a very fine tooth comb. If I can get here LEGALLY, become a LEGAL RESIDENT ALIEN and go through the proper channels, then why can't other immigrants to the States.



I understood that you were married to an American, which puts you in a whole different category, Annie.

I came to the States on a Visa just like everyone else. Even though I got married to an American citizen (aka Sponsor) I was not given any other benefits other than being allowed to be here and not get deported while I completed the paperwork, which, by the way took almost a year. However, that said, a person applying for residence is not allowed allowed to work until you complete the initial paperwork at INS and you are not allowed to apply for a Social Security Number until residency is approved, and we all know that you can't do anything in the States without a Social Security Number.

[Annie]

To be fair, the illegals I know work very hard. I have one friend, in particular, who came over and worked for $4 a day 25 years ago (that was a pittance even then). He would stand downtown with others, and the ranchers and other employers would come down and get them to work all day and take them back to the street corner at night. He worked, eventually married, eventually owned a plumbing company and is one of the hardest working men I know. As a matter of fact, a house that I bought a few years ago with my ex was a big rock house, and he is the one who did the work years ago. Years later when we bought it, he was our guest and our friend.. he would inspect to make sure it was still perfect. He would touch it. Better work you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere. He took great pride in what he did.

And speaking of bush, I do wonder how many illegals his family has hired over the years.

I do understand how hard the immigrant population works, and I also understand that lazy Americans whine that the immigrants are taking their jobs. But how many Americans do you know that would work for $4 a day, all day, in the blazing sun and not complain to high heaven. Not one! I admire the immigrant work ethic!

As for Bush - ahem! Yes, I do believe that since his whole family is from Texas and he had other family members living in South Florida - well, yes, I guess he would have hired his fair share of immigrants. It just goes to show you what an asshole he really is, and how he constantly contradicts himself.

[Annie]

I agree, but lets not make it impossible. I don't think it should be all that expensive or complicated for anyone to come here, as long as they are willing to work and not expecting a free lunch.

Now, Annie, having said all that, what do you think of my original questions about Kintyre?

I don't think it should be impossible, but I do think that after a certain period of time, if you have lived in the Country for say 20 years, that citizenship should be granted and not be so rigid. However, we are talking AMERICAN BEUROCRATIC RED TAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting back to your original questions, I have never had a problem with people coming to Kintyre to settle. In fact, when the Chinese people that opened the Golden Ocean restaurant came here, I spent a summer working there. I learned about the food, some of their language and how the whole restaurant business worked. I worked just as hard as each of them did every day. Apparently some days they thought I was "ALOT FUNNY" and laughed at some of the things I was doing, as I did they. It was a fun summer!

BTW, I make a pretty good darn egg roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bobbie En Tejas]

I do understand how hard the immigrant population works, and I also understand that lazy Americans whine that the immigrants are taking their jobs. But how many Americans do you know that would work for $4 a day, all day, in the blazing sun and not complain to high heaven. Not one! I admire the immigrant work ethic!

This is from the United Nations International Labor Organization in 2001:

"Workers in the United States are putting in more hours than anyone else in the industrialized world."

Lawrence Jeff Johnson -- the chief labor market economist who has led the ILO team in producing its new "Key Indicators of the Labor Market 2001-2002" study -- also says American workers are, per person, more productive than their counterparts in other countries. (Although, it goes on to say, Americans aren't the most efficient, Belgium was, I believe.)

In 2002, U.S. workers put in an average of 1,815 hours, whereas Europeans ranged from 1,300 to 1800.

And remember that most Americans starting a job get one or two weeks a year vacation, while europeans get 4-6. Americans don't get 4-6 weeks until they have been on the job for years , and thats if they get benefits, or if they are quite far up the ladder. Hardly points to lazy Americans.

With all due respect, I doubt seriously you would work all day every day "in the blazing sun" in the conditions they work either, and I don't see many people from other countries banging on the door begging to pick our produce; which goes back to my original point that they aren't taking anyone's jobs, so let them work.

I would seriously like to hear more opinions from the people of Kintyre about how they feel about immigration to their community. On the surface, it seems like everyone is happy with everyone but the English