*JASMINE*

I think that what Eva is trying to point out is that the very people who are loathed by so many for coming here illegally, are the very people who contribute to American lives every day. I say, if you are so hell bent on blaming these people, instead of the employers who hire them, then yes, grow your own vegetables. Don't go to fast food places that supply such vegetables on their burgers and so forth. (And I find it hard to believe that any person that has posted on this thread has not contributed to this problem by purchasing an item at a fast food place that has lettuce in it). I'm not in support of being extreme, but if people want to make extreme statements, such as us being "invaded", then so be it. And yes, any person that brakes any law is a CRIMINAL. Including traffic laws. Lets see how many of us hasn't received a ticket. Then I guess I am a CRIMINAL for receiving a ticket. I agree about learning to speak English. I agree that we all must pay taxes. I agree that our children should not be subjected to spanish only classes. But instead of saying that we are being invaded like a plague by these people, why not blame the government for allowing all of this to happen? The illegal immigrants are not standing and rioting trying to force us to accomidate their language. We have chosen to do so. We were not forced by law. Quote to me a law that has required us to do so. And who are we to say that the Native Americans did not have any immigration laws in place before the Pilgrims came here? They probably did, we just chose to ignore them and develope our own. Ok, I'll get off of MY soap box now.

Yes, this really made me cry. Especially towards the end. It was so moving. I hate that they and their families have to go through this, when it is so unnecessary. The one that broke me was the picture of the little boy touching the casket. No child should have to bare this type of pain.

You are right. It is a slap in the face for those who come here the right way. It's definitely a slap in the face for us as tax payers. As I've said before, I am usually more of a lurker. This thread has really brought me out of my shell. Not to get off topic, but let me tell you, participating in the RnR section really has helped me stay away from the fridge. I could never see the appeal, but it has done wonders to help decrease my appetite, LOL.

Yes, this is why it is distasteful to me. It's not the words themselves. Maybe saying they are illegal immigrants, instead of aliens would be a little better? I've never heard them compared to squatters, but I guess you can say this is true. But then not all of them would be squatters, since some of them do work under the table and pay rent. I mean, I know they're working, otherwise so many people wouldn't be upset about them taking all of the jobs and keeping the wages down. Which of course, I don't agree they should be doing. Yes, I agree that a majority of people would prefer to call them illegal aliens as this defines the anger they feel towards the current situation. Maybe we can come up with a name for the employers who employ them and the government who offers them so many services? And I don't mean that in a condescending or sarcastic way. I really would like to come up with some more appropriate names for the enablers, as well. And how is it that these people are able to get those services? I've never been able to understand how this happens. If we could develop some type of national social security number verification system, which would flag multiple persons using the same number, that would be awesome.

I like that you call them this, instead of "illegal aliens". To me, calling them illegals is like calling a Katrina victim a refugee. When Katrina happened, many of them were very offended when people started calling them refugees. Once, my husband and I were joking, and he called me an illegal alien (mind you, the only link I have to undocumented immigrants is that I am hispanic). I was speechless. This to me was worse then any racist term you could come up with for a person of hispanic descent. I guess I view it this way because, as LOR pointed out, so many people have demonized these immigrants using this term. I don't remember what we were joking about, but I did tell him not to ever call me that name again.

Nope, of course I would take care of my children first. I completely agree. It just gets me that I have to pay to support some people who choose to get over on the system. If I had to choose between the two, I would much rather my tax dollars go to help someone, legal or illegally, who has the drive to work hard and support their family, then someone who just wants to live off of the government and collect welfare. This is the lesser of two evils in my eyes, sort of speak. The sad thing is that the children are the only ones that suffer. So I must grit my teeth and allow the government to separate me from my hard earned money (like I have a choice), for the sake of the children. I agree that these people should come here legally. I agree that they should learn how to speak our language. I agree that they should support themselves (shouldn't everybody?) But if I were in their shoes and was left with no other choice, I would do the same.

Hi Carlene, I just wanted to add one little thing about this and I will skip back to the original thread on this issue. I grew up in El Paso, Texas. This is about as close to the border you can get in Texas. They used to all joke that El Paso was the capital of Mexico, LOL. Anyways, yes it is a little more personal to me because of where I live (DFW) and have grown up. But even so, I still have not become jaded because of this. In fact, I have become more compassionate. It affects me, socially and financially. Between my husband and I, we pay about $1200.00 in taxes each month. I can sure find something better to do with that money. But just like providing welfare, if it helps just a couple of needy people, who just want to work and provide a better life for their families, I'm ok with that.

I'm so sorry you are going through this difficult time. It sucks that people can't see past that. Despite the antidiscrimination laws out there, people still do it when looking at someone to hire. I really hate that. Have you thought about going through a temp agency? I have found that more employers are willing to give people a shot if they feel that they are not required to hire them right on. Once they see how much of an asset you can be to the company, they will definitely look past your hearing aid. I'm not sure if there are a lot of temp agencies where you are at. Just a thought. Keep your head up. Don't let those ignorant people bring you down.

<p> You're right. I think we need to enforce all of our laws. I wish I could say that we should work with the Mexican government to help better the living situations in that country, but it's not gonna happen. I also think that our welfare system is screwed up. I hate to see so many people get over on the system. Legal or illegal. It's sad that a couple of rotten apples screw it up for the human beings that actually do need the help. But that's for another thread.

You know, you are so right. I'm sorry I came off that way. Now looking back on my post, I do see it. I hate excuses, too. Ultimately I am responsible for my actions and what I put into my mouth. I guess we all have different methods of offering support. Thanks for being so honest and direct.

I used to think I was cured, but just like any other addiction, it is never cured, just managed. I did really well for the first year. I got down to almost 130lbs. Now I am gaining because of my binge disorder. I just don't feel the same amount of restriction anymore. I've had several fills and the last time I had a fill, there were 5 cc missing. But when I was properly restricted, it did help my binging behavior. PBs help you learn really fast not to binge. I can eat anything right now. I never have PBs, which is why my bad behavior has returned. I can go get another fill, but I kind of don't want to. I'm trying to find other ways to manage it. Yes, I am failing at it right now, but I'm not giving up. Have you ever visited somethingfishy.com? It is a really helpful forum for dealing with eating issues.

I completely agree with you. But it's not as black and white as you want it to be. The illegal, the Mexican government, and the U.S. employer are ALL at fault for the current problems. But the hatred you display is just geared towards the illegal. I think that the other two get lost in the delivery of your posts. And I usually am just a lurker. I used to love to debate about issues at one time in my life, but really, it's not worth the stress. If you look at my previous posts, you will see that most of them are not in this section of the forum. I guess this is a sensitive subject for me, as well.

You know what? You feel the way you do. That's fine. I have no interest in getting into an argument with you. I pick my battles and save them to have in real life, not with an anonymous person online. I actually am more of just a lurker anyways. You seem to have such hatred in your heart. I hope you do find some peace someday. To me, you display the same hatred as someone who is prejudice/racist (and believe me, I hate to play the "race card"). You are showing contempt for a whole group of people just because of the actions of a couple. Anyways, flame me if you will (you have everyone else who disagrees with you). Rip apart every sentence that I write, as you seem to always do. At the end of the day, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and be at peace with who you are as a HUMAN BEING. You seem to spend a lot of your time fighting with people on this board. I hope it gives you some satisfaction...Just one lurker's observation.

Marjon, I completely agree. Although, I do feel for WasABubble's friend. I've seen this happen and it just makes me sick that people can take a life and escape back to their original country. I've also seen this done by people who have come here legally.

BJean, Thanks so much for the kind advice. I'm still in my twenties, so my knee injury is not a good thing. It's been months now. I've tried to do 45 minutes of the elliptical trainer and 15 minutes of jogging. I had previously worked up to 5 miles of jogging and now I can barely do 1 mile. I guess I am a little bummed because I got a rush out of jogging that I am unable to get doing any other type of exercise. My knee just starts locking up after a mile. The physicians I work with have given me some advice on the type of exercises I can do to strengthen my knee, so hopefully it works if I keep at it. I will try not to baby it. Thanks again!

Yes, those words would describe how I eat, LOL. I'm just in a bad place with food right now. I got down to 135lbs, injured my knee running, and am now back up to 146lbs. I feel like my avatar looks. I don't even feel like I'm banded right now. I think I might have a leak. But that's for another thread. Thanks.

So you are giving us heresay from one person. OK. Yes, I do think it is prejudice as well, to assume they are all from Mexico. But just in this thread, many people have referred them to be. I can go back and refer to specific posts, if you'd like. And, to assume that the reason they do all of the crap work to get over on the system, is again, just an assumption. I do not expect you to understand, since you probably have never been exposed to this community of people. Yes, I know you've done charity work. I have gotten that from many of your posts. That's why I am actually surprised at the tone of your posts regarding this issue. I actually agree with most of what you say in your posts. Oh well, I guess we can just agree to disagree. Thanks for your response, though.

<p>I don't think all of the illegals who come here come to live off of us. Many of them come here to work hard and better their living situations. These kind of comments just seem hateful to me. I wonder what the statistics are on this matter. Have any of the persons making this claim done the research? I think these types of comments are what inspires such hatred towards these people. Not all of them come to live off of us. I think their modivation for coming here is for a better life. And most of them are not drug dealers, either. So now every illegal is a drug dealer, too?</p>

Thank you for bringing these questions up and focusing on a solution. I sometimes think that some people get so caught up on complaining about situations and not doing anything to make them better. I can complain about a lot of things such as welfare recepients who are legal and choose not to work and have us tax payers support them. Most people just say, "Stop coming. Do it legally." But let's face it, they are not going to stop coming if it means providing a better life for their families. And the Mexican government is not going to keep them there. It's up to our government to find a solution. I also think that if it were harder for them to find work here, it would not be as appealing to come here illegaly. But they are ultimately the ones responsible for their actions...

I completely agree. Well said, Susannah:clap2: .

"Jasmine, I really resent it when people choose not to learn and use english. Even if your english is heavily accented or your sentence construction is wrong, I will try my best (which I've been told is pretty good since I speak other languages and have lived overseas) to understand your english. For me, when I see a hispanic person who isn't even close to speaking english, I begin to suspect he/she is illegal. Otherwise, I probably would never think you're illegal by your looks unless I saw you standing behind home depot asking for "trabajo". But then one of my two best friends in college is hispanic, and the other is half hispanic. Both are intelligent and well-educated and are an asset, I think, to this country. In fact, the one whose parents are both Mexican, has 7 brothers and sisters and most of them have college degrees. But I also think that this is not the typical situation for the children of Mexican immigrants" Evilah, I completely understand the irritation that this causes. I was born here. My first language was spanish, but over the years, I have come to forget more and more of it. People see me, and try to speak to me in spanish. I try to work with them, but am not always able to communicate properly. My parents both came here legally and taught themselves how to speak english. They both have an accent. My mother raised four girls all on her own. No child support, no college education, no support from the government. So, going on your last statement, what do you think is a typical situation for the children of Mexican immigrants? How do you think they turn out? Do you think that most of them grow up uneducated and if so, why do you think they turn out this way?

What does that have to do with this subject? Some people are just not fit to be parents. I say, let's just sterilize them. I just don't see how it is necessary to drag out this pro-choice vs. pro-life saga, again. We're never gonna change each other's minds on this issue, so why drag it out? This couple should not have had the "privilege" of caring for another human life, that all.

That's as crazy as saying that all abused children should have just been aborted...

My parents were both born in Mexico. They both came here LEGALLY. I sometimes find myself conflicted on this issue. I agree that the "elligals" shoud come here legaly. I empathize with them because I have been to Mexico and have seen first hand what they have to go through. Every year, I send all of my used clothing so that MY FAMILY can use them, for they really need these items. I am conflicted because I see logically how most people feel about them. It is hard emotionally not to see the bigotry in some people's statements. I just think that SOME people use this issue to further the inner bigots in them. But again, I must reiterate that I am conflicted. I see both sides. I pay a lot in taxes. I think that there are three entities at fault. First, the elligals. Second, the Mexican goverment for making it such a horrible enviroment to live in and making it so easy to escape it. And third, the US goverment for allowing them to use our hard earned tax dollars to provide them with health care and benefits. You know what is funny though, that since this issue has intensified, I can't help but feel that people look at me and feel that I might be "elligal". Imagine walking around like this worrying that because you are of hispanic descent, people automatically feel contempt and resentment towards you. I never imagined I would come to feel this way... I try not to feel this way, but it's kind of hard sometimes.

Hi Melissa, Reading your post, describes me to a T. I drink daily. Was bulimic before the band. Have gained 15lbs in the past 4 months. I was at my end a couple of weeks ago and was stressing about the weight gain when I found this site: somethingfishy.com. It was very helpful in making me realize that I still have an eating disorder. I sometimes wonder how many people have been banded, without realizing that it will not help their eating disorder. I still binge. Going to that site made me realize that I have been using the wrong coping methods in dealing with anxiety. I started keeping a journal and it has really helped. Anytime I want to eat because of uncomfortable feelings, I pick up my journal and put my negative feelings on paper. Then I ask myself why I am feeling this way and if I trully am hungry, or if I just want to drown the feelings out. I'm working on that now. The drinking I will tackle next. One thing at a time. Anyways, I know I'm rambling now, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this. If you haven't been to this site, check it out. I think you will find that there are many people like you and me dealing with the same issues. Take care. Jasmine