I am fed up with the immigration issue.  I am fed up with the attitude that the are doing the work that we American's won't.  I am fed up with the lies and misconceptions.

Living in California we are hard hit by the illegal immigration issue.  Everyone is making it about farming - and it's not.  You know where illegals are working?  They are working in factories for unions making union wages.  They are working for construction companies - making upwards of $25/hr.  They are working in hospitals, hotels, schools - everywhere.

So lets look at the real cost of immigration.  Before this job, I worked for the school district as a part-time secretary, waiting for a position to open up.  Now for all the nay sayers let me begin with, I was a highly respected employee, never given a bad review, had gotten my annual increases like everyone else and enjoyed my job.  So after putting in 8 months as a part-timer, a full-time position finally opened up.  Did I get the job?  No, and I didn't even apply.  You know why?  I don't speak Spanish.  This job, like many in my field, requires you to speak Spanish.  Now was the person they hired illegal?  No, but I happen to know her parents were.  So they come here illegally, do not learn our language, have a daughter and then we give that daughter preference (not just equal opportunity but preference) because she speaks their language and they don't speak ours?

What's worse is I am bilingual - just not in Spanish.  And the icing?  She gets a monthly stipend above and beyond her counter-parts for speaking Spanish.  Again, not for being bilingual, but for speaking Spanish.  A teacher at the school speaks French, but she doesn't qualify for the stipend.  Hmmm.

Why would any want to learn English when they know if they don't their child can earn $250 more per month.

Do you understand how many state jobs I do not qualify for because I don't speak spanish?  Don't tell me their not taking our jobs, because they are - and if they are not their now American children are - and it's only getting worse.  Where will that leave us 20 years from now when this huge influx has children who are now citizens?

The cost is far beyond the government handouts.  Do you know the time and money spent by the school district to accomodate parents who do not speak English?  From monthly stipends to sending out every form in two languages - the cost adds up, and it adds up quick.

I am now a secretary for a large farming corporation.  I would say that less than 50% of our field crews are of Mexican origin.  We do everything we can to make sure our employees are here legally and we are still very able to compete price wise with our competitors.  Illegal immigration is not about field hands anymore.

We have gotten into such a blase way of life and it seems like everyone is waiting for someone else to take it from here.  We need to get a grip on our lives, reprioritize and run our lives and this country.  With the elections coming up I have heard so many people talk about not wanting to vote at all because it's just a choice between bad and worse.  Okay, for the most part I agree - but what are you doing about it?  Not voting?  So these politicians have run us down to the point where we just don't care and we're going to throw our hands up and raise the white flag?

NO!  We have to start over, and yes that will mean some hard times.  We need to start at the local level, make sure your City Council is representing you, make sure your District Representative is representing you, make sure your Congressman is representing you - and if he's not TELL HIM.  This is a world where only the squeaky wheel gets the oil - so become a squeaky wheel!

I feel that there are so many Americans who agree with me on so many things, and yet our Government is doing the opposity.  Why?  Well why not?  Have you spoken with your school principal about problems you've seen?  Have you gone to a meeting of your school board?  Have you talked to your City Council members - do you even know who they are?  What other Board of Directors have you given authority to and forgotten about?

Don't feel like I'm lecturing - I'm not.  I'm just as bad.  We get this sense that because these people hold a position of authority we are not worthy of their time or consideration.  WE ARE THEIR BOSS!  We need to hold them accountable - not only for the bad but the good as well.  If a principal never hears you say nice things about your child's great teacher, when something negative is said that's all the principal knows.  Praise the good and punish the bad - it's the only way.

We need to stop looking for a leader and become one ourselves.  This is our company, our business, our money, our life - if we don't take charge then we are at the mercy of those who do.  And let me tell you something, those are the people who have the time or money that the rest of us covet.  It's easy for a person who sits home on welfare and stay on hold for two hours to get their voice heard - or answer the phone all day to take surveys, or take time to speak with reporters about what a hard life they have - we don't have that time.  BUT WE NEED TO MAKE IT! 

THE CHALLENGE:
Take thirty minutes a day and invest it in your future and the future of this country!  Write a letter - whether it be to commend a local authority for standing up against the money machine, or let Congress know you're frustrations.  Or do your homework.  Don't like the idea that Imus was fired?  Do you know the sponsors that pulled their advertising?  Find out, and let them know that you will no longer be using their products.  Take 30 MINUTES a day and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish!  Can you imagine?  Three million people taking 30 minutes a day to better America? 

We have the power to make change.  I'm starting today - when do you want to start?