may you each travel to the manger and worship the King this night... for this is truly what Christmas is about...
[video link]
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Robin Hood, Where are You??
I heard on the news this morning that Congress has chosen not to extend the unemployment benefits to millions of Americans who desperately need them... citing "fiscal responsibility" they cannot see their way clear to help those who lost their jobs as a result of our tanking economy. Ok, I get it... they want people to work for their money, not just have it handed to them.... so then Congress, WHERE ARE THE JOBS???
If you don't want to be fiscally irresponsible and add 56 billion dollars to the deficit, in order to help your less fortunate brothers and sisters here in America, who by the way, did nothing to deserve the economic difficulties that they are experiencing, and try as they might cannot find a job, then at least you could work on creating incentives so that the economy will pick up and they will be able to get back to work and earn their pay...
Of course, there are always those Bush era tax cuts... those can be extended to everyone, as Republicans would like... now that would be real "fiscal responsibility" wouldn't it? Especially extending the tax cuts to the wealthiest 2% of our nation... I have heard from news sources that economists say that doing this would add somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 billion dollars to the deficit...
Yeah, that's the ticket to fiscal responsibility and economic growth... give those wealthy people tax cuts that they don't really need so they can save the money, not spend it on expanding business and creating job growth.... as opposed to giving the ordinary folks money they need to survive, who will then spend it on necessities and put it back into our economy.
After hearing how "fiscally responsible" Congress wants to be now, I just have so much more confidence in my elected officials... those people who are supposed to put the good of the American People ahead of their own agendas...
But I must admit that I don't have a lot of confidence in their basic knowledge of Arithmetic... I mean, the last time I checked, 700 billion dollars was a lot greater than 56 billion dollars [700 billion>56 billion]... so where is the fiscal responsibility in denying the needy and pandering to the rich?
Taking from the poor and giving to the rich.... Robin Hood, where are you when we need you????
If you don't want to be fiscally irresponsible and add 56 billion dollars to the deficit, in order to help your less fortunate brothers and sisters here in America, who by the way, did nothing to deserve the economic difficulties that they are experiencing, and try as they might cannot find a job, then at least you could work on creating incentives so that the economy will pick up and they will be able to get back to work and earn their pay...
Of course, there are always those Bush era tax cuts... those can be extended to everyone, as Republicans would like... now that would be real "fiscal responsibility" wouldn't it? Especially extending the tax cuts to the wealthiest 2% of our nation... I have heard from news sources that economists say that doing this would add somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 billion dollars to the deficit...
Yeah, that's the ticket to fiscal responsibility and economic growth... give those wealthy people tax cuts that they don't really need so they can save the money, not spend it on expanding business and creating job growth.... as opposed to giving the ordinary folks money they need to survive, who will then spend it on necessities and put it back into our economy.
After hearing how "fiscally responsible" Congress wants to be now, I just have so much more confidence in my elected officials... those people who are supposed to put the good of the American People ahead of their own agendas...
But I must admit that I don't have a lot of confidence in their basic knowledge of Arithmetic... I mean, the last time I checked, 700 billion dollars was a lot greater than 56 billion dollars [700 billion>56 billion]... so where is the fiscal responsibility in denying the needy and pandering to the rich?
Taking from the poor and giving to the rich.... Robin Hood, where are you when we need you????
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Honoring our Veterans
"The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."
~ Douglas MacArthur
On this day during which we honor our veterans ... those who have served or are still serving in our armed forces ... on this day, even as we say, "Thank you"... may we pray for peace in our world between all countries, all peoples and all faiths ... and then after praying, may we begin, even if it is only in a small way, to find ways to help bring that peace about.
[video link]
Saturday, November 6, 2010
damn the torpedoes...
It has been interesting listening to comments made by our politicians and our soon to be politicians since the "shellackin" that the Democratic Party received in the elections less than a week ago. The "whys", the "wherefores", the "what-nots", and the "what's next" have all been spoken on... by those of all political parties and persuasions... and the Republicans and Tea Party-ers would have us believe that they are now going to come in and "save the day"!!
As I listened to election returns, one thing seemed to stand out... Democrats and Republicans and Tea Party-ers who spoke that night focused on the fact that people in our country were angry that not enough had been done to create more jobs for those who have been and continue to struggle with unemployment. And perhaps I heard it wrong, but it sounded to me as if those who had been re-elected and newly elected were making promises to take up the challenges of unemployment and job creation that are plaguing our economy as a top priority...
It sounded as though they were saying they would be coming to Washington to work to reduce unemployment and grow our economy... granted, that was not the only thing they were saying, but at least on election night it seemed as though that was going to be their top priority, because they said, "that was what the American People wanted"... "that was why the American People had so soundly defeated the Democrats"... "that was why the American People had handed the Democrats the largest defeat in history since the 1930's"... And from both Republicans and Democrats I heard that they [our elected and newly elected officials] were now going to work to fulfill the "people's mandate" [although the word "mandate" may not have actually been used, it was certainly implied]...
I wonder how they are going to do that?
I know, I know!!!! I heard it from the mouth of Mitch McConnell himself!!! He is going to focus on making sure that President Obama does not get elected in 2012, so that a Republican nominee can be elected as president, so that they can then repeal "Obama-care"...
Now that's a plan if I ever heard one... that will certainly fulfill the American People's "mandate" to create more jobs and bring the unemployment numbers down...
Yessiree!! Let's have two more years of Republicans and Tea Party-ers saying, "No, we won't!" to anything that is suggested or proposed, so that in the 2012 elections, the Democrats can be blamed, President Obama can be defeated, and Republicans can "take over"... and "Obama-care" can be repealed!!!
But wait... what about those unemployment numbers and those people in our country who are losing their homes and struggling to make ends meet? What about the American People's "mandate" that you promised to make top priority? Or at least that you appeared to promise to make top priority...
I guess in the short time span of just a few days, everything is suddenly ok with the job/unemployment situation, and attention can now be focused on the more important things... that of making sure that Democrats and President Obama are defeated in the 2012 elections... damn the needs of the American People... damn the anger in this country over job loss, mortgage foreclosures, unemployment and Wall Street excesses that brought us to this point...
What's that saying? "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"?
Be warned.... we Americans now live in an "instant society" of "fast foods" and instant access to anything we want over the internet... and we apparently also expect "instant answers" to problems for which there are none... the "torpedoes" that sunk the Democrats in the 2010 elections may also sink Republicans and Tea Party-ers in the 2012 elections...
It is time that political posturing, political power-plays, and election rhetoric be put aside for the more important job of working together to find ways of reducing unemployment and encouraging the creation of more jobs... Whether Democrat or Republican or Tea Party or Independent, this is the reason you were elected... this is what the American People are screaming for... this is your "mandate"!!
We, the American People, are looking to you, our elected officials, for leadership, not partisanship!! And I think, that although we would like our problems to be solved instantaneously, that deep down, we know that will not happen... but it would be nice to see some progress being made... without having to wait another two years before any of you legislators even begins to get to work...
As I listened to election returns, one thing seemed to stand out... Democrats and Republicans and Tea Party-ers who spoke that night focused on the fact that people in our country were angry that not enough had been done to create more jobs for those who have been and continue to struggle with unemployment. And perhaps I heard it wrong, but it sounded to me as if those who had been re-elected and newly elected were making promises to take up the challenges of unemployment and job creation that are plaguing our economy as a top priority...
It sounded as though they were saying they would be coming to Washington to work to reduce unemployment and grow our economy... granted, that was not the only thing they were saying, but at least on election night it seemed as though that was going to be their top priority, because they said, "that was what the American People wanted"... "that was why the American People had so soundly defeated the Democrats"... "that was why the American People had handed the Democrats the largest defeat in history since the 1930's"... And from both Republicans and Democrats I heard that they [our elected and newly elected officials] were now going to work to fulfill the "people's mandate" [although the word "mandate" may not have actually been used, it was certainly implied]...
I wonder how they are going to do that?
I know, I know!!!! I heard it from the mouth of Mitch McConnell himself!!! He is going to focus on making sure that President Obama does not get elected in 2012, so that a Republican nominee can be elected as president, so that they can then repeal "Obama-care"...
Now that's a plan if I ever heard one... that will certainly fulfill the American People's "mandate" to create more jobs and bring the unemployment numbers down...
Yessiree!! Let's have two more years of Republicans and Tea Party-ers saying, "No, we won't!" to anything that is suggested or proposed, so that in the 2012 elections, the Democrats can be blamed, President Obama can be defeated, and Republicans can "take over"... and "Obama-care" can be repealed!!!
But wait... what about those unemployment numbers and those people in our country who are losing their homes and struggling to make ends meet? What about the American People's "mandate" that you promised to make top priority? Or at least that you appeared to promise to make top priority...
I guess in the short time span of just a few days, everything is suddenly ok with the job/unemployment situation, and attention can now be focused on the more important things... that of making sure that Democrats and President Obama are defeated in the 2012 elections... damn the needs of the American People... damn the anger in this country over job loss, mortgage foreclosures, unemployment and Wall Street excesses that brought us to this point...
What's that saying? "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"?
Be warned.... we Americans now live in an "instant society" of "fast foods" and instant access to anything we want over the internet... and we apparently also expect "instant answers" to problems for which there are none... the "torpedoes" that sunk the Democrats in the 2010 elections may also sink Republicans and Tea Party-ers in the 2012 elections...
It is time that political posturing, political power-plays, and election rhetoric be put aside for the more important job of working together to find ways of reducing unemployment and encouraging the creation of more jobs... Whether Democrat or Republican or Tea Party or Independent, this is the reason you were elected... this is what the American People are screaming for... this is your "mandate"!!
We, the American People, are looking to you, our elected officials, for leadership, not partisanship!! And I think, that although we would like our problems to be solved instantaneously, that deep down, we know that will not happen... but it would be nice to see some progress being made... without having to wait another two years before any of you legislators even begins to get to work...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Today.... Get Out and Vote!!!!
We who are citizens of the United States of America have a privilege that many Americans take for granted, because they have never known anything different... we have the right to go to the polls and vote for the candidates of our choice. Unfortunately, there are many who do not take advantage of this privilege... no, not privilege... this responsibility!! It is our responsibility as citizens of the United States to vote for those who will be our representatives at all levels of government.
Why?
Well, it has been awhile, but somewhere in my education, I learned about The Gettysburg Address, in which then President Abraham Lincoln referred to the government of the United States of America as a government "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." He could refer to our government in this way, because we, as ordinary citizens of the United States, could go to the polls and choose our leaders!!
Granted, in President Lincoln's day, not all people over the age of majority who had been born in and lived in the United States had the right to vote... or were even considered to be citizens... it was not until the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified in July of 1868, that all persons, born or naturalized in the United States, were legally assured of citizenship status within the United States and within the individual state in which they resided... and it was not until the 15th Amendment [ratified in February of 1870] and the 19th Amendment [ratified in August of 1920] that all people, regardless of sex, race, color, or previous condition of servitude, were given the right to vote.
But... we in the 21st century, all of us who are legal citizens of the United States of America, and who are above the age of majority [18 years old], no matter whether we are male or female, no matter what our race, ethnic background, socio-economic status or religious creed might happen to be... we still have the government that President Abraham Lincoln described as "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." It is because of this very reason that we have a responsibility to exercise our privilege and our right to go to the polls and vote!!
Being able to vote for those who will be our representatives at all levels of government is what gives us Americans a government that is "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." Voting is the fundamental thing that gives us a "voice" in our government!!
So, take the time... exercise your privilege... your right... your responsibility... let your voice be heard...
Today... get out and vote!!
Why?
Well, it has been awhile, but somewhere in my education, I learned about The Gettysburg Address, in which then President Abraham Lincoln referred to the government of the United States of America as a government "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." He could refer to our government in this way, because we, as ordinary citizens of the United States, could go to the polls and choose our leaders!!
Granted, in President Lincoln's day, not all people over the age of majority who had been born in and lived in the United States had the right to vote... or were even considered to be citizens... it was not until the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified in July of 1868, that all persons, born or naturalized in the United States, were legally assured of citizenship status within the United States and within the individual state in which they resided... and it was not until the 15th Amendment [ratified in February of 1870] and the 19th Amendment [ratified in August of 1920] that all people, regardless of sex, race, color, or previous condition of servitude, were given the right to vote.
But... we in the 21st century, all of us who are legal citizens of the United States of America, and who are above the age of majority [18 years old], no matter whether we are male or female, no matter what our race, ethnic background, socio-economic status or religious creed might happen to be... we still have the government that President Abraham Lincoln described as "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." It is because of this very reason that we have a responsibility to exercise our privilege and our right to go to the polls and vote!!
Being able to vote for those who will be our representatives at all levels of government is what gives us Americans a government that is "of the people, by the people, [and] for the people." Voting is the fundamental thing that gives us a "voice" in our government!!
So, take the time... exercise your privilege... your right... your responsibility... let your voice be heard...
Today... get out and vote!!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
worries...
I must admit... I am worried about America...
There are many problems that we face as a nation... unemployment... war... people losing their homes... the economy...
Two years ago as we elected a new president there seemed to be so much hope... "Yes we can!" was the rallying cry... in spite of the fact that the problems we faced did not seem to have an easy end in sight... "Yes we can!" was our answer...
Our new president told us in his Acceptance Speech as President-Elect as well as in his Inaugural Address of the many problems we faced as a nation... the economic recession being only one of them... he told us that we would need to work together to find the solutions to our problems and that it would take time... that there were no quick fixes... that full recovery might not even be accomplished within a single term of office... and still we answered, "Yes we can!"
What has happened to us Americans?
Are those of us who are older and in influential and wealthy positions within our country so secure in our own financial futures that it really doesn't matter to us about those who are struggling? Has our thinking become, "We have what we want and need, so who cares about those who don't!"?
Have we older adults become so selfish, unfeeling and uncaring [unless of course the problems touch our own "pocketbooks"] ... or have we become so hungry for political power that we give up our common sense, civility and integrity to get it? Are those who are in a political office so unwilling to work together with others who do not belong to their particular political party, that they are willing to sacrifice those for whom they are supposed to be working? [...in case you aren't sure who I mean, I am talking about us common, not so wealthy or influential folk...]
And what about our younger adults? Have we in our country under the age of 25 or so become so enamored with fast foods and the instant access that the internet gives us to almost anything and everything that we want, that we have forgotten what it means when someone tells us there is no quick fix… that things will take time for us to recover fully? Are we two year olds who throw tantrums and stamp our feet because we want it “NOW!”…and then because we have not gotten what we want as fast as we want, we lose hope, we give up and we give in to fear?
Are those of us who are older and in influential and wealthy positions within our country so secure in our own financial futures that it really doesn't matter to us about those who are struggling? Has our thinking become, "We have what we want and need, so who cares about those who don't!"?
Have we older adults become so selfish, unfeeling and uncaring [unless of course the problems touch our own "pocketbooks"] ... or have we become so hungry for political power that we give up our common sense, civility and integrity to get it? Are those who are in a political office so unwilling to work together with others who do not belong to their particular political party, that they are willing to sacrifice those for whom they are supposed to be working? [...in case you aren't sure who I mean, I am talking about us common, not so wealthy or influential folk...]
And what about our younger adults? Have we in our country under the age of 25 or so become so enamored with fast foods and the instant access that the internet gives us to almost anything and everything that we want, that we have forgotten what it means when someone tells us there is no quick fix… that things will take time for us to recover fully? Are we two year olds who throw tantrums and stamp our feet because we want it “NOW!”…and then because we have not gotten what we want as fast as we want, we lose hope, we give up and we give in to fear?
What happened to the hope in the seeming infinite possibilities that existed two years ago, in spite of the difficulties we were enduring and that were sure to continue? Has our, "Yes we can!" turned into, "No we won't!"
What has happened to us Americans that live in “the home of the free and the brave”? Have we lost our courage in the face of those who would use fear and half truths and innuendo and outright lies for political power and gain, all the while hiding behind flashy smiles, cute “mama bear” rhetoric, and pretty faces?
Has the “home of the free and the brave” instead become a cesspool of fears and lies in which its residents have become mired?
Yes, I am worried about America... because I am worried about Americans!!
Yes, I am worried about America... because I am worried about Americans!!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
...but isn't that the way it works in politics?
Ok... I heard on a morning news show today that some people in Florida from one of the groups of candidates identified with the Tea Party were going to file criminal charges against people in the Republican Party, because of disparaging ads painting them [Tea party candidates] in a bad light, and telling downright lies about them... those from the Tea Party claim that these disparaging ads were put forth because of the Republicans' fear of having to deal with them as a "third party"...
"Mud-slinging" and lying about one's political opponents are campaign tactics that have been around for a long time... probably as long as political campaigns have been around... I mean, why should candidates who are running for a political office try to win on their own merits, on their own integrity, or on their own abilities as a leader and a "statesman"? Oh, wait... does such a word as "statesman" even belong in politics these days, or did it go out of fashion with our founding fathers?
Political advertisements that plant the seeds of fear and disparage and demonize opponents seem to be the normal fare of political campaigns these days... and, interestingly enough, seems to have been taken to new "lows" by the Tea Party Movement in the last two years...
So what's the matter? You can "dish it out" but can't "take it" when it comes back your way?
"Mud-slinging" and lying about one's political opponents are campaign tactics that have been around for a long time... probably as long as political campaigns have been around... I mean, why should candidates who are running for a political office try to win on their own merits, on their own integrity, or on their own abilities as a leader and a "statesman"? Oh, wait... does such a word as "statesman" even belong in politics these days, or did it go out of fashion with our founding fathers?
Political advertisements that plant the seeds of fear and disparage and demonize opponents seem to be the normal fare of political campaigns these days... and, interestingly enough, seems to have been taken to new "lows" by the Tea Party Movement in the last two years...
So what's the matter? You can "dish it out" but can't "take it" when it comes back your way?
Friday, October 8, 2010
sticks and stones...
The old saying goes, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"... in my humble opinion, that is a lie we tell ourselves... and maybe we adults even believe it... but I think children sometimes are smarter than us... just try to get a child who is being teased and picked on to actually believe the saying... they know it's a lie...
Recognizing the lie for what it is just might be the first [very, very, very, very small] step towards finding a solution to the problem of bullying...
If your child comes home upset because she/he is being picked on, don't tell them this lie... they won't believe you... instead, listen to them, acknowledge their hurt feelings, let them know you love and value them, and work from there to help them find creative ways to stand up to the bullies...
It probably won't be easy... no one ever said it would be... but no one deserves to be bullied for any reason... and your child's life just might hang in the balance...
[video link]
Recognizing the lie for what it is just might be the first [very, very, very, very small] step towards finding a solution to the problem of bullying...
If your child comes home upset because she/he is being picked on, don't tell them this lie... they won't believe you... instead, listen to them, acknowledge their hurt feelings, let them know you love and value them, and work from there to help them find creative ways to stand up to the bullies...
It probably won't be easy... no one ever said it would be... but no one deserves to be bullied for any reason... and your child's life just might hang in the balance...
[video link]
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
bullying = abuse = big problem...
Recently I have heard more in the news about young people who have killed themselves because they were being bullied by others... picked on mercilessly because they seemed "different"... or "gay"... or "nerdy"... or ... well, actually, someone who is going to be a bully doesn't really need a reason... I suspect they just feel as if they have a right to be a bully... and if the person being bullied doesn't like it? Well, whose gonna make the "bully-ers" stop, anyway?
Bullying has probably been around as long as people have existed... it is an old, old, old problem that has mostly been overlooked with its consequences underestimated... by parents, teachers and school administrators alike. The stock answers ... "its just a part of growing up" ... "it'll toughen you up" ... "oh, its just harmless fun" ... "they didn't really mean anything by it" ... just are not acceptable anymore!!
Even worse, the attitude that the victim of bullying "deserved it", because they are perceived as gay, or because they are gay, is unconscionable!! Whether or not you like a person, their life-style, their religion, or even their favorite sports team... does not give you the right to bully someone else!!
Bullying and intimidation is abuse, pure and simple!! How many more children, teenagers, and college students will choose to die because they see death as the only way to escape being bullied, before people will begin to choose to help those who walk around with a "target" on their backs? Yes... it is much easier to ignore the problem or talk about the ones being victimized in disparaging ways than it is to really try to tackle the problem... but we must find a way to help the victims... to end bullying... we are losing too many precious lives!!
[video link]
Bullying has probably been around as long as people have existed... it is an old, old, old problem that has mostly been overlooked with its consequences underestimated... by parents, teachers and school administrators alike. The stock answers ... "its just a part of growing up" ... "it'll toughen you up" ... "oh, its just harmless fun" ... "they didn't really mean anything by it" ... just are not acceptable anymore!!
Even worse, the attitude that the victim of bullying "deserved it", because they are perceived as gay, or because they are gay, is unconscionable!! Whether or not you like a person, their life-style, their religion, or even their favorite sports team... does not give you the right to bully someone else!!
Bullying and intimidation is abuse, pure and simple!! How many more children, teenagers, and college students will choose to die because they see death as the only way to escape being bullied, before people will begin to choose to help those who walk around with a "target" on their backs? Yes... it is much easier to ignore the problem or talk about the ones being victimized in disparaging ways than it is to really try to tackle the problem... but we must find a way to help the victims... to end bullying... we are losing too many precious lives!!
[video link]
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Telling the Truth
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." ~George Orwell
Monday, September 27, 2010
listening skills...
Does anyone really listen to what others say these days? In my humble opinion, the answer is a resounding "NO!!!" Case in point:
... so, my phone rings yesterday morning... waking me up...
... so, my phone rings yesterday morning... waking me up...
"hullo?"
"may I speak with David Cobb?"
"David Cobb doesn't live at this phone number."
"do you know him?"
"No."
"can I leave a message for him?"
"I don't know him."
"oh... ok... good-bye."
...and I thought I was the one that was half asleep during that conversation...
Friday, September 24, 2010
Immigrant Workers... Immigration Reform
In my humble opinion, we have a horrendous problem here in the United States... that being how we think of and treat those who cross our borders, albeit illegally, in order to make a better life for themselves, because they feel they have no other choice.
We lump these undocumented immigrant farm workers together with those who would cross our borders to cause harm through violence and drug trafficking and thereby sooth our consciences as to the ways that they are treated here in the great United States of America. We conveniently forget that many of these workers were brought here and are exploited by the very people they work for, and that they have little or no recourse for obtaining justice under our laws. While slavery may not legally exist within the USA, never-the-less, many immigrant farm workers are treated little better than those slaves of history past.
We hide behind present legalities and economic situations, contending that [undocumented] immigrant farm workers are taking jobs away from "good red-blooded Americans" who are in desperate need of employment. While I don't doubt that in these times there are thousands of good red-blooded Americans in desperate need of employment, I sincerely doubt that many of them would want to endure the harsh working conditions and low pay associated with migrant farm work.
And while this type of farm work is back-breakingly hard, it is needed!! Crops cannot harvest themselves. Although there have been technological advances in mechanical harvesting, reducing labor needs and harvest costs, which allow farmers to remain competitive in the world market, there are still many crops that are hand-harvested. According to authors James F. Thompson and Steven C. Blank in a research article entitled Harvest Mechanization Helps Agriculture Remain Competitive "much effort has been devoted to these crops [current crops still hand-harvested], but in the last 20 years there have been only a few advancements in developing commercial harvesters."
Surely we in this great nation of ours can find a way to come together to reform immigration policies, so that people who need work [even if they come from our neighboring country to the south], can legally find it in the US, so they will not be exploited by those for whom they work and will not have to live in fear of their employers as well as our police forces, and in the process of working in our country, contribute to its economic growth.
Ahhh... but perhaps, giving workers from our neighboring country to the south the ability to legally enter our country for work purposes, possibly reducing the exploitation they suffer, giving them legal recourse for justice, and thereby eliminating the near-slave status they endure, is something that those with power to make such changes do not really want... after all, the workers might not want to work down on the farm anymore... and then where would we be?
This morning I watched a YouTube video of Steve Colbert as he testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security. He has done a marvelous job of using satire to comment on the issue of immigration reform. I offer this for some thought-provoking enjoyment!
We lump these undocumented immigrant farm workers together with those who would cross our borders to cause harm through violence and drug trafficking and thereby sooth our consciences as to the ways that they are treated here in the great United States of America. We conveniently forget that many of these workers were brought here and are exploited by the very people they work for, and that they have little or no recourse for obtaining justice under our laws. While slavery may not legally exist within the USA, never-the-less, many immigrant farm workers are treated little better than those slaves of history past.
We hide behind present legalities and economic situations, contending that [undocumented] immigrant farm workers are taking jobs away from "good red-blooded Americans" who are in desperate need of employment. While I don't doubt that in these times there are thousands of good red-blooded Americans in desperate need of employment, I sincerely doubt that many of them would want to endure the harsh working conditions and low pay associated with migrant farm work.
And while this type of farm work is back-breakingly hard, it is needed!! Crops cannot harvest themselves. Although there have been technological advances in mechanical harvesting, reducing labor needs and harvest costs, which allow farmers to remain competitive in the world market, there are still many crops that are hand-harvested. According to authors James F. Thompson and Steven C. Blank in a research article entitled Harvest Mechanization Helps Agriculture Remain Competitive "much effort has been devoted to these crops [current crops still hand-harvested], but in the last 20 years there have been only a few advancements in developing commercial harvesters."
Surely we in this great nation of ours can find a way to come together to reform immigration policies, so that people who need work [even if they come from our neighboring country to the south], can legally find it in the US, so they will not be exploited by those for whom they work and will not have to live in fear of their employers as well as our police forces, and in the process of working in our country, contribute to its economic growth.
Ahhh... but perhaps, giving workers from our neighboring country to the south the ability to legally enter our country for work purposes, possibly reducing the exploitation they suffer, giving them legal recourse for justice, and thereby eliminating the near-slave status they endure, is something that those with power to make such changes do not really want... after all, the workers might not want to work down on the farm anymore... and then where would we be?
This morning I watched a YouTube video of Steve Colbert as he testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security. He has done a marvelous job of using satire to comment on the issue of immigration reform. I offer this for some thought-provoking enjoyment!
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