It's Time to Boycott Arizona

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

to borrow a phrase:
the personal IS political.

You *do* live in a physically beautiful state which is full of good people AND racist politicians and politics.

There are undocumented immigrants living in every state in this country, doing jobs that millions of unemployed "legal" citizens have no interest in, trying to build a life that is safe for themselves and their families.

Undocumented immigrants do NOT receive free housing. They do NOT receive free medical care. They are NOT taking jobs other people want. They are NOT negatively impacting the state of our public education systems. These are myths, very dangerous myths that allow people, like your state's politicians to pass very dangerous legislation with truly dire consequences - not just for anyone who looks non-white in Arizona, but for all non-white people in this country AND more broadly for our society as a whole.

This country IS a giant mess: economically, socially and politically - and none of the blame for that mess can be laid at the feet of immigrants (documented or undocumented); regardless of how convenient a scape goat they may be.

Arizona is a state I would love to explore, as a tourist; it is indeed full of natural beauty.
However, I will not be spending my dollars there while this legislation continues to exist.
I will feel the same way about Florida or Texas or any other state that tries to/and or successfully implements laws that are hateful, racist and create enormous divisions among us.

It is important, to me, that I am an educated voter, active politically and a conscious consumer.

Arizona citizens with the right to vote can help to reverse these horrible laws; I hope they do.

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.