Quote:
Originally Posted by Kobi
Sparkle,
We both live in Mass, and I'd venture to say we are both educated voters and consumers.
One thing that always amazes me in any argument, is that the word MYTH is used by all sides. Myth and Truth both contain elements of accuracy depending on which side of the fence you are on, and which side of a cause you are on.
Being we are both from Mass, I will use your "myth that undocumented persons are not given free housing or health care". Obamas Aunt. See article here.... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100921/...s_obama_s_aunt
Fact or myth? She says we gave her housing and health care when she was supposed to be deported. Think the taxpayers footed the bill for this or do you think Kenya did?
All it takes is one story of truth, directly from one person, to make a "myth" not a "myth".
And, as an educated voter and consumer, do you check the laws of every state you do business with? Mass still has a few not well known laws on the books that could be seen a detrimental to one group or another. Does this mean you dont spend money in your home state?
My point is simply, this is a complex issue that people are most comfortable making a simple issue. And it is very easy to poke holes in "holier than thou attitudes" simply because, people being people, provide the very ammunition needed to do so.
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Kobi,
I agree with your point - this issue is not a simple one; it is indeed very complex. My post was neither meant to be an exhaustive discourse nor a simplifying of an multi-layered socio-economic & global issue. It was meant only to convey, in a neutral tone, my opinion on the subject of boycotting Arizona and to express my very passionate concerns about the dangerous and pervasive beliefs held by a huge portion of our population about undocumented people.
An important sidebar comment: I believe strongly in the importance of socialized medicine and believe that every person (regardless of race, ethnicity, class, age, ability, religious belief, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, immigration status OR insurance coverage) has a right to medical care. Full stop, no exceptions.
I also agree with what I think you were saying - that there are always exceptions to the rule.
That is why I did
not say (for example):
No
Undocumented Immigrants
ever (have ever, will ever) have recourse to public funds and support (housing, disability, food stamps etc).
I don't believe in, and I try hard not to make statements that are absolutes.
Absolutes beg exceptions.
While I appreciate your attempt to debunk
my myth-debunking
I have to point out that the news article you cite is not about an undocumented person receiving benefits, it is about a person who arrived in the country as asylum seeker who was ultimately granted legal status. In the interim (between her arrival, first denial and ultimate success at obtaining status) she was never illegal or undocumented. She was documented from the moment she applied for asylum.
In the article she is cited as being "illegal", the use of "illegal" is irresponsible and inaccurate journalism. Mrs. Onyango went through an extensive and lengthy legal system which included a denial, a deportation order and legal appeals which lasted over ten years, during which time she was
not granted public housing nor disability support.
She was, however, given medical care when she had a medical emergency but then went on to live in homeless shelters and battled a crippling disease. I, for one, am incredibly relieved that at some hospital in Boston they did NOT throw her out on the street when she was most in need.
Regardless, as I said, there are always exceptions to absolutes.
I'm quite sure someone else on this forum could come in here and tell me that they know someone who knows someone who illegally crossed a border and managed to trick several government social services agencies and obtain a free house and benefits, and lived the life of reilly at the US tax payers expense.
My opinions about the pervasiveness and dangerousness of these myths (as I see them) is based on my personal and professional experience.
*I* have personally been on the sharp side of immigration bureaucracy and I have worked with 1000s of people from around the world in similar (and FAR FAR FAR WORSE) situations than my own.
The belief that all immigrants are economic migrants determined to swindle honest hardworking "legal" citizens from their resources is prevalent not only in the US but also UK, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Australia (to name but a few countries).
I think it is scary and I believe the truths of these beliefs need to be redressed.
To my mind, Arizona's legislation embodies all that I find most disturbing about these beliefs.
As to boycotting a place, you are quite right, if I were to boycott every state and nation that has legislation on their books that I find unjust - I don't know where in the world I could live (never mind travel as a tourist). I can not boycott every state nor every nation; just as I can not fight for every political or ideological belief I have - I have to pick & choose my battles, my boycotts and which "issues" I expend my resources on.
Immigration Rights (which to my mind exemplifies my beliefs about basic human rights) - is one (of a few) that I choose.
ps. my tone isn't intended to be holier than thou or holier than anyone, but I accept that my voice can be read that way, particularly when I dive in to a topic I so passionately care about.