Monday, July 19, 2010

Politics and All That Crap July 2010


TODAY'S SOUNDTRACK

I'm not a political person,
suffice to say I abhor politics.

So, I've been hiding under a rock.

That way I can ignore the steady stream of young
(and not so young) men dressed in baggy clothes 
and illustrated with tattoos
that have been streaming into Jocotepec
and filling up already-bursting family homes.

More than a few bringing young American wives
and their small children back with them.
The girls struggling to fit in, find their place,
and learn the customs of the country 
and their new extended families.

New pickups with California plates.
And Arizona plates.
Jockeying around our narrow cobbled and potholed dirt roads
instead of Interstate 10 and Hwy 101.

Moving back into grandma's house —
another mouth to feed
with little opportunity for work.

There are hardly any rentals in Jocotepec,
returning Mexican family members are
occupying the available homes.

They nod to me when I pass them on the street.
Eye contact that says I'm like you!
Excited to speak English,
they tell me they miss the American culture.

They look shell-shocked.

My mechanic now has a translator, Francisco.
Baggy pants and tatts, happy to speak
English with me, eager to translate for me,
and "go-for" for Carlos's small neighborhood garage.
 For a very few pesos.
Hey, it's a job!

The Mexican woman who processed my
immigration renewal papers last month
was deported from the US —
and found work in an immigration office in Ajijic Mexico.

Under my rock we all get along.
We don't care where you were born,
or what color your skin is,
or what language you speak.
It's an equal opportunity rock.

I understand the borders must be made safer,
but not by racial profiling, abuse, hatred and discrimination.
Rather by laws that are enforced with justice, dignity, and equality.
And guest worker programs!

I'm going to crawl back under my rock now
and watch a movie. 

THE BEST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MOVIE EVER MADE

7 comments:

  1. In the long run it will be the United State's loss. These people by their nature have drive and talent in the way they do things or they would have never made that first run north. It is a very short sighted policy that keeps our fellows to the south out and we will pay the price in retarded development in the future.

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  2. It's all politics, my friend. Neither camp, jack asses or elephants, will do anything about it but blame the other side. The border needs to be closed, but people should be allowed to come and work. They simply cannot do so legally under the current "system."

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  3. Norm - You are so right! Also, I have to wonder who they think will mow all the lawns, clean the swimming pools, and flip burgers in AZ when they run all the non-whites out of town.
    They must have missed the movie. . .

    Ray - It certainly is! I don't think the average person realizes how hard it is for Mexicans to get a visa - and how expensive - in order to be able to enter the US legally for a visit. It's just not possible for most folks.

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  4. It's a dilemma. I have a lot of have empathy for folks that leave family & everything that's familier to them, go through the hassle of heading north facing banditos & immigration, etc., to work at a crummy job to try to have a better life.

    I have a good friend from El Salvador that was only 5 but she remembers every detail of the difficulty, I get teary eyed every time I relate her story.

    But I also wonder how many were drawn because of those big trucks with US plates that go home for Christmas?

    Az plates might be from the new law but I'll bet many from Ca, Nev, NM, Tx are because of the economy. I drive by Home Depot and 25 guys are standing outside looking for day work.

    BTW, M, Cuenca, Ecuador is looking better & better. Send me an email if you're curious.

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  5. Joe, I don't have your email, could you send it to me? I'm interested in your Cuenca info. Thanks.

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  6. Sorry, thought you would get it when I sent in a comment.

    joseculbe@yahoo.com

    My impression is that Ecuador solves the problems that I have with Mexico.

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  7. Mexico, Gautemala, even Honduras is awash in illegal immigrants shipped back home. They sent them back here by the jetload, and they land in San Pedro Sula, which is by far the most dangerous city in a nation already grappling with severe unemployment, gangs and rampant violence. I too meet people who tell me of their ex-careers in the US. They are here driving taxis, loitering and joining gangs.

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