April 2010 Weddings
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Shocking - how badly people want in...
this is crazy.
i'm all about immigrants who want in doing things legally - but to come in to our country and use our services and things we have to pay for with hard earned taxes rubs me the wrong way. oh i've heard it... they do jobs we wouldn't want to do like house painting and landscaping for little pay... but offer that job to a high school kid or someone who's been out of work for 6 months and they'll take it. this really gets to me. the artcile also says they are looking into smuggling... but i find it hard to believe that 4 people are smuggling over 500 people unwillingly...
what are you thoughts?
Re: Shocking - how badly people want in...
I actually am one who tends to agree with the argument that they do jobs that others would do, and that's from personal experience. Based on my work, I get to know the..er...shall we say lower class of society? A lot of them (not all, but a lot) whine and cry about how they can't get a job but suggest to them that they work in the fields picking tomatoes and they definitely DO NOT go apply for those jobs. Also many illegal immigrants (in Florida, anyway) contribute quite a bit to the economy because they are purchasing food, clothes, gas, etc. etc. We don't have a State income tax here, although not paying Federal income tax is obviously an issue.
I'm not saying I'm in favor of illegal immigration by ANY means, and I think those who commit crimes while here illegally are rightfully deported. I just happen to know that actual studies have proven that illegals often add more to the economy than they take away, so while there are certainly many valid arguments that support immigration reform, the "they take our jobs and don't pay taxes" isn't really one of them.
ETA: I didn't read the article so I'm neither agreeing nor disagreeing with whatever that was about
That is insane! But I think it also brings up some key issues that are often overlooked in the immigration debate.
I think there are two main problems in this country that lead to stories like this. First, there are many employers that take advantage of these illegal immigrants and hire them so that they do not have to adhere to worker rights. Unfortunately, many immigrants are so desperate to escape their countries that they settle for this kind of life because it is better than the alternative. Plus, once they are hired, they are forced to remain illegal by their employers. Second, the path towards citizenship has become so expensive and corrupted that it is almost impossible for immigrants to come to this country by legal means. I have friends who received their PhD in an American school who are still denied citizenship - which basically means that we are paying to have other countries reep the benefits of the next generation of scientists.
I tend to be quite sympathetic of illegal immigrants, most of whom are just looking to escape oppression and provide for their families. We are a country of immigrants, and I think that's how we thrive.
Post-Wedding Life Blog!
A10 Siggy Challenge: Next Vacation Destination: San Francisco!
I think that illegal, is just that - illegal. It's a start down a slippery slope when you begin to reason that "some" crimes or law breaking is ok, but others not. I also realize that no issue is completely black and white, and that there are surely compelling arguments on both sides of the issue. But in the end, I have to go back to "What is the law" and "What is the penalty for breaking said law"?
That having been said, it seems fairly clear cut to me - if you come into this country illegally, then I have a big problem with your getting any kind of social assistance, drivers licenses and such. The path to citizenship may be hard, but there are many who suck it up and do it the proper way. For example, my home state of MD is extremely illegal friendly. Anyone can get a license without documentation. That may just be why many of the 9/11 suicide flyers had MD licenses. I just feel that the very fact that the word "illegal" is the first word of their status is a big red flag that many are overlooking.
How many countries can an American just go to without papers, get a job, get tution breaks (as here in MD) and by and large not pay income tax?
At the rate we're going, why even have an INS? Just open up the gates and let everybody come in. Our nation is already financially at a breaking point. We have hard working Americans who have fallen on hard times who need a break. Where are the people marching to help them?
Aye...sorry for the rant. This is a bit of a touchy subject for me. But again, I do realize that there are mitigating circumstances in some instances. But they should be the exception, and not the rule.