"a425couple" <a425couple (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

That's all and good, and as I also stated, I am not anti-immigration. I just
live in an area that has had a huge influx of Mexican nationals that
apparently are refusing to attempt to learn the language at all. To the
point that NC now prints beaucoup DMV Driver License handbooks in Spanish.
In SPANISH! In NC-USA! At a cost burden predominantly borne of us relatively
native NC tax payers. And I resent it greatly.

So, do they print similar government papers in Mexico in English? Why not?
Turnabout is fair play afterall.

Yes, there are fine folks from Mexico that live here, can converse in the
local language, and as Carey said above, work hard and want to live the
American dream just like everyone else here. But for the majority of NC
Mexican immigrants, learning English simply appears to be a burden that they
don't want to effort, at all. I have been patient, since they changed from
being largely "migrant workers" in the 1970s and 1980s to "permanent
immigrants" in the 1990s to today, I think it's about high time they learn
the langauge if they're going to continue to live among us and become part
of our population. If I were to move to France, I'd effort learning French
(beyond my high school French). If I moved to Mexico, I'd certainly try to
learn Spanish, and as quickly as I could too. Why can't the immigrants to
our country reciprocate? Why should we lower our expectations for them just
because they're "new here"?

Of course I won't go into the burden that these unlisted, paid under the
table, no tax paying immigrants are putting on our schools and medical
facilities. They certainly use the services, but for free. Again, at
bonafide tax payer expense. So you be patient. Me, I'm tired of paying my
way, and the way of countless others that refuse to stand up and be counted
(ie: be here legally, and pay taxes) on top of refusing to speak the local
language. They are, IMO, adding to a bloated size welfare class that was
bulging at the seams with Americans long before they decided to cross the
Rio Grande to get in on the act too. For the ones that come here legally and
actually try to assimilate and become a contributing member of our society,
I say welcome. And have said welcome, to many of our Southern friends.

One of my best neighbors in my subdivision is now a US citizen, that moved
here from Mexico as a 19 year old some years ago. He, his wife & kids (and
parents that live with them) all speak incredibly passable English, work
hard (he owns a landscaping business) and is an all around really nice
family. They can do it, why can't their peers? (Jose even gets more irate
about the above topics than I do, says it sometimes embarrases him that "so
many of his people" won't put forth a genuine effort to fit in to their new
country, that has so graciously taken them in (his words, not mine)). All I
do is nod, and raise my (any brand of Mexican beer Jose has on hand) in
agreement with him...usually as one of his blindfolded kids or some niece or
nephew is swinging some stick at the paper donkey hanging from a nearby
tree... ;-) They do know how to have a good time when it's warranted, as an
aside. I've never so looked forward to May 5th as I have the past few years
having Jose & Maria in our neighborhood. We go to their bash on Cinco de
Mayo (sp? lol) and they come to our July 4th bash each year since they built
here. (And no, they're not exactly token examples of their nationality in
our neighborhood. There are quite simply only 5 houses in our neighborhood,
so I guess they represent roughly 20% of it...) I guess having them as an
example of what an immigrant family (from anywhere, not just Mexico) *can*
do if they try, frustrates me to no end when I see scores of others, in
similar situations, not even trying.

"SimRacer" <nOspaM@simracer68 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

trying to learn English. There are many here in the Houston area, and many
that don't speak English, but our demographic is far different from yours.
That said, most of the immigrants here now are like José when he first moved
here. Unfortunately, it is the gang members (an most of those are Honduran)
and the criminals that get all the media attention. Someone trying to be a
good citizen doesn't ever make the news. As I stated, much of this problem
would go away if employers were forced to obey the citizenship laws in
place, but they aren't and it is hard for a contractor to compete in a
business where so many others do. As a whole, I find Mexican people to be
hard workers, much so more than here (try to work down there and finish
before seven in the evening). Even those that are working, may be working
off the books, but they are paying taxes in the form of sales taxes,
property taxes (as part of their rent), etc. Most do not want to avail
themselves of welfare, since they are wary of making their presence known in
this country for fear of being sent back. And, no, there is very little
printed material, especially from the government down in Mexico that is in
English. That I do find interesting, since Mexico is much a country of
immigrants, as is the US. Again, this isn't noticeable to most folks who
live here, since the middle class, primarily of all European descent,
doesn't have the need to come to the US for work. It is the poor resident,
of Indian descent, living in a village long forgotten that comes here for
work. As I again state. This isn't a real big issue for me, but I do feel
that, as an illegal, they should be treated as such and sent home. Dry up
the jobs up here for them and they won't come over. In the long run, we are
better served by an economically stronger Mexico. With the youth coming up
there, I hope to see it in my lifetime, as well as being a part of it.
Afterall, there is money to be made down there.

Carey in Manvel

"SimRacer" wrote ...
can somebody give Sim an amen? AMEN!

On Quattro de Mayo I'll salute me and on Cinco de Mayo I'll hoist one for Sim's
good neighbor, and fine American, Jose! (and on 6th de Mayo I'll be in
Richmond! What a weekend!)

"SimRacer" <nOspaM@simracer68 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote in
news:UTGPf.57668$%84.39278 (AT) tornado (DOT) southeast.rr.com:

How closely do you interact with these people? Virtually every
Hispanic that I know well (who, admittedly, are primarily Cubans;
there's relatively few Mexicans in South Fla) has repeatedly
expressed a desire to speak better English. The few exceptions
mostly speak it better than I do.

I'll also note that desiring to speak English well, and actually
being able to do so are different things - some people do not
pick up languages easily, and the tendency of lower economic
status immigrants to group together reduces their opportunities
for practice.

John