Excellent and very, very true piece. I am so sorry you and your wife and child have to face. It is just unimaginable that we have got to this place again, a place we all hoped had disappeared or almost disappeared 40 years ago, but we have a president and a number of right wing "citizens" and "representatives" who are racist to their cores and want to deny so many others their rights and dignity. I cannot believe the USA has turned this way so quickly over the past few years. God save American and all the wonderful people who still support all the rights of people in the world and in this country. Mike B
The Democrats (or other opponents) of these policies need a solution. Here is one: People who are here without legal permission, but have not been convicted of a felony or other serious crime, should be required to do public service: e.g. 1 year in the US military (if admitted), or 400 hours of community service over 5 years, in exchange for which they receive permanent residency. Service can be organized by local government, or by churches or temples as long as it serves everyone and is service not proselytizing. This is the way to deal with millions of people, using existing local government to administer services, NOT Federal resources.
I say it is more than time to be rewarding those individuals and families who, year after year, have committed themselves to the back-breaking work of picking and gathering the summer crops in the Central Valley of California in sweltering conditions for wages that are offensive. They consistently and uninterruptedly provide the American table with fresh produce - specifically, beautifully delicate berries that machines would destroy - that we all take for granted. How do I know this? I was a psychiatrist consultant with the CA Dept. of Corrections on my way to a prison, who would stop my rental car on the side of the road next to the fields because it literally broke my heart that children spent their summers in the fields with their parents. I would bring a couple cases of bottled water & some dollar store toys. "400 hours of community service over 5 years?" You cannot possibly imagine the analogy of the field. Apparently, even the president is re-examining the sheer stupidity of arresting and deporting these tireless workers as sacrifices to an ignorant and cruel political payback. And fundamentally, that is my point. We were told that the mission was to remove the criminal element illegally residing here, not those who actually are longterm residents, albeit illegally, who work and literally provide essential services. All this proves is that cruelty, in and of itself, is addictive.
Do you live in California? It is a state full of immigrants, legal and illegal. Do you know what they do? They work. They don't commit crimes. They're not the homeless Americans who live on sidewalks. They actively look for work if they're not working. California is minority majority, and under Governor Newsom has risen from the fifth largest economy to the fourth largest economy in the world in the last year. We send more taxes to the federal government than any other state and support all the red states. We feed the country. We love immigrants, at least in my case, because of their great food. And a lot of immigrants do serve in the military. My family arrived in Plymouth, MA and Philadelphia, PA between 1633 and 1754. I welcome everyone who came after us, and who will come. Their work makes up for any enforced community service.
I think either option would be a bear to organize/implement but the service part would (if done correctly) result in these people gaining skills and also finding their way and connections in their community
Yes, Lucas! Remarkably, the danger is going way past skin tone. The MAGAts are actively making lists of all their perceived enemies. Note the shootings in Minnesota today --- and appearing as a cop!
Well said, Marilyn. It could have been so easy to have fixed the immigration system; indeed there was bipartisan legislation moving in the Congress in ‘23 (‘24?) that would have fixed it and it would have no passed until then-candidate Trump made it clear he didn’t want this campaign issue to go away. Can you spell irresponsible? And now we’re living with the consequences. So sad….
And if you think it will stop at immigrants then you are fooling yourself. The next oppression will come on anyone who doesn’t fit their white Christian nationalist agendas and vision for this once great. Country. Eyes Wide Open! “What will your Legacy be?” John Lewis
Well stated. Your anger is palpable, and appropriate. We have a country in which racism is becoming SOP for dealing with people. We've got our work cut out for us.
Marilyn is 100% correct, fear and chaos ARE the point. My friends are sad and unsurprised when I tell them I carry my passport card EVERYWHERE, because I'm a naturalized citizen. Doesn't matter that I became a citizen nearly 60 years ago. I completely agree that we need to continue to hold our government accountable for this behavior and vote for change. It's frustrating to see the negative transformation of a country I love. Thank you for speaking out and sharing your story and frustration.
FOX news has been spewing lurid stories about immigrants since its inception. They have changed the USA, for the worse. WE hear endless scare stories about immigrant crime. Then FOX repeats it. Over and over again. Then they distort facts. Then the internet hate groups amplify the distortions. So it goes...
The proper term for what is happening is state sponsored terrorism. The has happened before, during and immediately after WW I. If we have been taught that history in high school maybe what is happening now could have been avoided. I am proselytizing the book "American Midnight" by Adam Hochschild (I do not get a kickback) to learn about the relevant history.
When you have discrimination whether it is racial, ethnic, religious, LGBTQ, or whatever there is a purpose behind it. If you look at who is stoking the discrimination the purpose is to control the blame pattern so that the "majority" blames their very real problems on the people being discriminated against. During the Civil War how did the rich plantation owner get the poor white farmer to go off and die to protect the plantation owners "property." The underlying problem is that we are engaged in a class war between the rich and everyone else and the rich have used their wealth to corrupt the political system. This is best documented in two books by Mike Lofgren, "The Party Is Over" and "The Deep State." Lofgren's deep state has nothing to do with the Republican fantasy, they stole the term from him. Here are introductions to both books.
If you read the books you will see that both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for our current situation. Our electoral system is practically binary choice winner take all and neither party establishments wants to change that.
In closing a thought from the 60's. To say you have to take money from the rich to reduce their influence is equivalent to, "We had to bomb the village to save it!" Which is a quote from the Vietnam War.
In closing with regard to immigration here is a Woody Guthrie song about a true event -
Such a well-written comment Alan. I am a 60's gal and I remember the song "Deportee" as it was sung by so many of my favourite artists of the era. What really resonated with me is your assessment and statement "both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for our current situation. Our electoral system is practically binary choice winner take all and neither party establishments wants to change that." This has long been my thought as well. Time to clean house for democracy's sake. Make way for new faces and remove laws that have made it so that now big money runs our political systems and elections. Both parties are guilty of having much too cosy a relationship with corporate donors and rich people. The politicians with their noses in the trough need to go and laws repealed that allow profiting from trading stocks while not adhering to the requirements of the Stock Act of 2012. (see https://www.cgaa.org/article/congress-trading-stocks)
I am an old fart too (78) and I have a long memory. Here is a comment by Utah Phillips on the long memory.
"Yes, the long memory is the most radical idea in this country. It is the loss of that long memory which deprives our people of that connective flow of thoughts and events that clarifies our vision, not of where we're going, but where we want to go."
Thank you for those links Alan. It is so amazing how relevant they are to what is going on today. The power of the people to organise was nearly lost as union busting proceeded to decimate unions everywhere. I am hopeful that with the massive "No Kings" protests we are seeing activism of the kind necessary to invoke change. It is my fervent hope that I am right about that.
Marilyn, all that you stated is true. We are in a bad spot right now. But, we must all stay strong. We all have to push back against the evils being perpetrated against the people. Stay in the fight! We owe it to those who came before us. And most importantly, we owe it to the kids. The challenge is here. Now, we go out and meet it. Every day!
So beautifully said. And it is up to us now because the people we depend on to protect us are just not doing their jobs in Congress. And there is not one person with the integrity, moral fiber or intellect in this Administration to do the jobs they are tasked with, both elected and appointed people. It should be obvious by now: I suspect it is to the world at large as well, which makes us evermore vulnerable. We have to return to a government of, for and by the people. That's us. We must unite to let those in charge that they are failing their country.
Lucas, this post is as good as are all of yours. And as you can see, we all appreciate it.
I want to ask you a loosely related question, because it's my understanding that you were in the armed forces. (You'll let me know if I'm mistaken.) I would/will ask the same question of Trygve and a few others.
What would someone like you do if the "Commander-in-Chief" ordered you to do something, like let's say invading California to do a task that either doesn't need to be done, or that the state is doing on its own, if you personally considered the order improper or illegal? Or to ask the question in a different way, is the commitment of members of the armed forces to the laws and the Constitution, or to the "Commander-in-Chief?"
Excellent and very, very true piece. I am so sorry you and your wife and child have to face. It is just unimaginable that we have got to this place again, a place we all hoped had disappeared or almost disappeared 40 years ago, but we have a president and a number of right wing "citizens" and "representatives" who are racist to their cores and want to deny so many others their rights and dignity. I cannot believe the USA has turned this way so quickly over the past few years. God save American and all the wonderful people who still support all the rights of people in the world and in this country. Mike B
The Democrats (or other opponents) of these policies need a solution. Here is one: People who are here without legal permission, but have not been convicted of a felony or other serious crime, should be required to do public service: e.g. 1 year in the US military (if admitted), or 400 hours of community service over 5 years, in exchange for which they receive permanent residency. Service can be organized by local government, or by churches or temples as long as it serves everyone and is service not proselytizing. This is the way to deal with millions of people, using existing local government to administer services, NOT Federal resources.
I say it is more than time to be rewarding those individuals and families who, year after year, have committed themselves to the back-breaking work of picking and gathering the summer crops in the Central Valley of California in sweltering conditions for wages that are offensive. They consistently and uninterruptedly provide the American table with fresh produce - specifically, beautifully delicate berries that machines would destroy - that we all take for granted. How do I know this? I was a psychiatrist consultant with the CA Dept. of Corrections on my way to a prison, who would stop my rental car on the side of the road next to the fields because it literally broke my heart that children spent their summers in the fields with their parents. I would bring a couple cases of bottled water & some dollar store toys. "400 hours of community service over 5 years?" You cannot possibly imagine the analogy of the field. Apparently, even the president is re-examining the sheer stupidity of arresting and deporting these tireless workers as sacrifices to an ignorant and cruel political payback. And fundamentally, that is my point. We were told that the mission was to remove the criminal element illegally residing here, not those who actually are longterm residents, albeit illegally, who work and literally provide essential services. All this proves is that cruelty, in and of itself, is addictive.
What’s needed is more of this kind of Empathy. We’d all be better off. And BTW this is Christianity 101, so lost on so many.
Do you live in California? It is a state full of immigrants, legal and illegal. Do you know what they do? They work. They don't commit crimes. They're not the homeless Americans who live on sidewalks. They actively look for work if they're not working. California is minority majority, and under Governor Newsom has risen from the fifth largest economy to the fourth largest economy in the world in the last year. We send more taxes to the federal government than any other state and support all the red states. We feed the country. We love immigrants, at least in my case, because of their great food. And a lot of immigrants do serve in the military. My family arrived in Plymouth, MA and Philadelphia, PA between 1633 and 1754. I welcome everyone who came after us, and who will come. Their work makes up for any enforced community service.
I think either option would be a bear to organize/implement but the service part would (if done correctly) result in these people gaining skills and also finding their way and connections in their community
And I would add to that 30 days to US citizenship, free forms and friendly, welcoming US officials.
The requirements should be higher, but the general concept is good
Sad and frightening…perhaps ICE should pay a visit to Mar-a-Logo
Donnie Dimwit just told them to back off on farm workers, construction workers, and the hospitality industry.
Yes, Lucas! Remarkably, the danger is going way past skin tone. The MAGAts are actively making lists of all their perceived enemies. Note the shootings in Minnesota today --- and appearing as a cop!
Harvey looks like a good troop!
Well said, Marilyn. It could have been so easy to have fixed the immigration system; indeed there was bipartisan legislation moving in the Congress in ‘23 (‘24?) that would have fixed it and it would have no passed until then-candidate Trump made it clear he didn’t want this campaign issue to go away. Can you spell irresponsible? And now we’re living with the consequences. So sad….
And if you think it will stop at immigrants then you are fooling yourself. The next oppression will come on anyone who doesn’t fit their white Christian nationalist agendas and vision for this once great. Country. Eyes Wide Open! “What will your Legacy be?” John Lewis
Well stated. Your anger is palpable, and appropriate. We have a country in which racism is becoming SOP for dealing with people. We've got our work cut out for us.
Marilyn is 100% correct, fear and chaos ARE the point. My friends are sad and unsurprised when I tell them I carry my passport card EVERYWHERE, because I'm a naturalized citizen. Doesn't matter that I became a citizen nearly 60 years ago. I completely agree that we need to continue to hold our government accountable for this behavior and vote for change. It's frustrating to see the negative transformation of a country I love. Thank you for speaking out and sharing your story and frustration.
FOX news has been spewing lurid stories about immigrants since its inception. They have changed the USA, for the worse. WE hear endless scare stories about immigrant crime. Then FOX repeats it. Over and over again. Then they distort facts. Then the internet hate groups amplify the distortions. So it goes...
The proper term for what is happening is state sponsored terrorism. The has happened before, during and immediately after WW I. If we have been taught that history in high school maybe what is happening now could have been avoided. I am proselytizing the book "American Midnight" by Adam Hochschild (I do not get a kickback) to learn about the relevant history.
https://raintaxi.com/american-midnight/
When you have discrimination whether it is racial, ethnic, religious, LGBTQ, or whatever there is a purpose behind it. If you look at who is stoking the discrimination the purpose is to control the blame pattern so that the "majority" blames their very real problems on the people being discriminated against. During the Civil War how did the rich plantation owner get the poor white farmer to go off and die to protect the plantation owners "property." The underlying problem is that we are engaged in a class war between the rich and everyone else and the rich have used their wealth to corrupt the political system. This is best documented in two books by Mike Lofgren, "The Party Is Over" and "The Deep State." Lofgren's deep state has nothing to do with the Republican fantasy, they stole the term from him. Here are introductions to both books.
https://www.mikelofgren.net/introduction-to-the-party-is-over-book/
https://www.mikelofgren.net/introduction-to-the-deep-state/
If you read the books you will see that both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for our current situation. Our electoral system is practically binary choice winner take all and neither party establishments wants to change that.
In closing a thought from the 60's. To say you have to take money from the rich to reduce their influence is equivalent to, "We had to bomb the village to save it!" Which is a quote from the Vietnam War.
In closing with regard to immigration here is a Woody Guthrie song about a true event -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KIIBzUYZZU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportee_(Plane_Wreck_at_Los_Gatos)
Such a well-written comment Alan. I am a 60's gal and I remember the song "Deportee" as it was sung by so many of my favourite artists of the era. What really resonated with me is your assessment and statement "both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for our current situation. Our electoral system is practically binary choice winner take all and neither party establishments wants to change that." This has long been my thought as well. Time to clean house for democracy's sake. Make way for new faces and remove laws that have made it so that now big money runs our political systems and elections. Both parties are guilty of having much too cosy a relationship with corporate donors and rich people. The politicians with their noses in the trough need to go and laws repealed that allow profiting from trading stocks while not adhering to the requirements of the Stock Act of 2012. (see https://www.cgaa.org/article/congress-trading-stocks)
Thanks for your input!
I am an old fart too (78) and I have a long memory. Here is a comment by Utah Phillips on the long memory.
"Yes, the long memory is the most radical idea in this country. It is the loss of that long memory which deprives our people of that connective flow of thoughts and events that clarifies our vision, not of where we're going, but where we want to go."
And one of the last songs he wrote.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogMm2FmRGYQ
Here is a parody of the Battle Hymn if the Republic that says it all -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eR0ckpJ3bk
Here is one more for you -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0bezsMVU7c
Thank you for those links Alan. It is so amazing how relevant they are to what is going on today. The power of the people to organise was nearly lost as union busting proceeded to decimate unions everywhere. I am hopeful that with the massive "No Kings" protests we are seeing activism of the kind necessary to invoke change. It is my fervent hope that I am right about that.
Here are link to two Utah Phillips concerts for your entertainment and edification -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHp6aGL0YWc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUWOoFHv9LI
Thanks Alan....these are great links to Utah's performances. Much appreciated :)
Marilyn, all that you stated is true. We are in a bad spot right now. But, we must all stay strong. We all have to push back against the evils being perpetrated against the people. Stay in the fight! We owe it to those who came before us. And most importantly, we owe it to the kids. The challenge is here. Now, we go out and meet it. Every day!
So beautifully said. And it is up to us now because the people we depend on to protect us are just not doing their jobs in Congress. And there is not one person with the integrity, moral fiber or intellect in this Administration to do the jobs they are tasked with, both elected and appointed people. It should be obvious by now: I suspect it is to the world at large as well, which makes us evermore vulnerable. We have to return to a government of, for and by the people. That's us. We must unite to let those in charge that they are failing their country.
Lucas, this post is as good as are all of yours. And as you can see, we all appreciate it.
I want to ask you a loosely related question, because it's my understanding that you were in the armed forces. (You'll let me know if I'm mistaken.) I would/will ask the same question of Trygve and a few others.
What would someone like you do if the "Commander-in-Chief" ordered you to do something, like let's say invading California to do a task that either doesn't need to be done, or that the state is doing on its own, if you personally considered the order improper or illegal? Or to ask the question in a different way, is the commitment of members of the armed forces to the laws and the Constitution, or to the "Commander-in-Chief?"
Thank you for your concise, accurate and thoughtful piece! Keep speaking out, we need your voice...
Our current plight so eloquently stated and described🤗
The king of the shit pile called USA must go. Someone please ghost him to the beyond.