Friday, March 30, 2007

Cesar Chavez, figures of speech, and the tax man.

This morning on Bill Handel's show (KFI Radio, Los Angeles) the subject of a walk-out by middle school and high school students in East L.A. came up. Apparently, thousands of students decided to take the day off so that they could protest the lack on the federal government's part to make Cesar Chavez day a national holiday (it's already a state holiday), and to voice their opinion that there needs to be immigration reform. Then a clip was played of a Mexican girl saying, "We need to quit fighting among ourselves and join together to fight against the white man."

Excuse me?

My wife is Mexican and she don't see it that way.

What part of "illegal" in illegal alien do these folks not understand?

And it makes a lot of sense to leave school to make your world better. Hey, dummies, how about you get back into class, get an education, then try to change your world the legal way. Otherwise, shut up.

Then Bill Handel said something that cracked me up. He said, "If my kids were to ditch school for something like this I would beat them to an inch of their life."

For a sharp minded individual such as myself, I saw that statement for what it was. He was speaking figuratively. If he was serious, then he'll be off the air soon, but obviously, he was not. He meant that his kids would be in big trouble with him. But it struck me at that time that that is the type of statement that gets the liberal minds all out of whack, because they are in such a world of fantasy, that they can't tell the difference. MK, or the Tom dude that use to comment here, would be quick to quip about that, accusing Bill of being an abuser, and me for being just as guilty for not being offended by the statement.

That type of idiocy drives me nuts.

Then, tonight I finally did my taxes, and my tax man is an independent, and loves to stir it up with me. Being economically minded, he is quick to venture into trying to educate me about the problems with trickle-down economics, and the corrupt power center of big business and old money. For the most part I agree with him, with a few variations. Partially, I think he leans too much toward socialism sometimes, but since he's a business owner, I am sure he will never teeter too far to the left. Anyhow, he brought up something that's been on my mind. Should government regulate big business more heavily because of the corruption? Is it okay that the gas companies made what they made in profit last year? Gets ya thinking. When I do my homework, I'll give you an answer.

Personally, I am a big fan of small business, and competition. The pulse of small business, as my tax man put it, is faint, but beating.

Oh, and don't forget, Saturday (tomorrow) at 4pm Pacific/7pm Eastern Bushwack will join Political Pistachio Radio to tell us about his participation in The Gathering of Eagles March. Tune in, or listen to the archive later.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a question for Mrs. P., hopefully for this evening's podcast...

DG- you told me, on your radio show, that Mrs. P. had to pay $300 something dollars to sign up to wait in line for citizenship and a proper visa, right - I think this was discussed on either your first or second cast. I believe Mrs. Pistachio is still waiting for her citizenship, correct?

Here's the question: Why do so many millions of Latin Americans, risk their lives, along with paying smugglers thousands of dollars, to get into the The United States, when they can just do what Mrs. P did - pay a little more than $300 to extend their visas, and eventually become citizens, as Mrs. P is doing?

I am also curious, was she able to bring her parents and grandparents to the United States? Or do your kids have to go to Mexico to visit them?

Will be listening for the answer...look forward to it.

*****

And tell Bwacky that he sounds like an old, old, get off my lawn guy. (Yes, that's double "old" - not that there's anything wrong with it, I'm old myself.) I hope he speaks a little faster this time around - he needs to "up" his live game. (DG - we don't want your demographic to die off.)

Douglas V. Gibbs said...

$395 is the total Mrs. Pistachio has had to spend on the naturalization process, which primarily consists of administration fees. According to her paperwork, she needed to have a working ability of speaking English (but they provide someone who speaks your language - well, that's idiotic right there), needed to understand our laws, the constitution, names of certain political figures, etc. They don't enforce it very well. To obtain a resident alien card, which is what happens when you first immigrate, there is a lot more to it in the sense of paperwork and administration. Medical exams and so forth also ensue. But, you are right, the monetary cost is not near the cost of paying a coyote to come into this country illegally. Which makes one wonder: why spend more money? Partly because of the long waiting list, and partly because many of these people don't want to go through the process because they have something to hide. Remember, criminal records and contagious diseases are not welcomed by the immigration committee. The illegals, then, are willing to risk breaking the law to get here. Of course that does not constitute all illegals, but a large portion, nonetheless, and anybody of that nature getting a free ride into this country is unacceptable, and unfair to those that did jump all the hoops like my wife, and her parents.

Gary said...

"...Personally, I am a big fan of small business, and competition. The pulse of small business, as my tax man put it, is faint, but beating...."

I often think about that Norman Rockwell era that's seems to have pushed into the annals of history to make room for the 'big box' stores and corporations. Life seemed to be much simpler then.

"...Remember, criminal records and contagious diseases are not welcomed by the immigration committee..."

My two oldest children were to exposed and tested positive for TB about 8 years ago, and had to undergo a year's worth of daily treatment to build up their immune systems.
Now TB has been all but eradicated in the United States in part because of the efforts of the Department of Immigration, so parents can somewhat understand the anger and frustration we felt when we realized some idiot coughed or sneezed on our daughters thus changing their lives on this earth forever.

Another reason to close the borders!

Anonymous said...

Wait...are you saying, DG - that's all it takes to enter this country?

I mean, whoa! Back up.

Anonymous said...

That still doesn't answer the question as to why someone wouldn't just do what Mrs. P. did, rather than risking life and limb just to come here, only to end up being exploited? Why do people pay the cyotes when they can come here like Mrs. P? And how did her parents come to live here?

Anonymous said...

I hope you address these issues on the show today, without resorting to the "all liberals are evil" overused bit.

Anonymous said...

The Norman Rockwell era was based on a fantasy of American life, as NR was the first to admit.

Gary said...

"...The Norman Rockwell era was based on a fantasy of American life, as NR was the first to admit..."

Indeed Mudd, but that doesn't change the fondness of the thoughts. And there are still places where you can go to the local mercantile for a chocolate soda and chat with the local town folk... just not in our neck of the woods.

And your exploited comment is slightly misleading. They come to the states because the minimum day labor charge is $12.00 an hour, which is $96.00 a day. That happens to be about 3 times as much money as can be earned in Tijuana in a month. When I was in Mexico in 2003, the average monthly income was about $36.00. Given that, it is easy to understand why they are willing to come stateside and work as a day laborer for a few months.

Now before I'm questioned on citations for my stated facts, let me clarify that this information was derived from the orphanage staff that we visited.

Anonymous said...

Why would Latin American workers pay thousands of dollars to smugglers (or cyotes, as DG refered to them) when they could just do what Mrs. P. did, come here, extend their visa, and pay $395.00?

Anonymous said...

On the issue of socialism, too many people equate it with communism, and don't know the difference.

Kinda gets ya thinkin, again.

Anonymous said...

DG - give credit to your music...

Anonymous said...

Why is it that no one is acknowledging the Freeper involvement in the GOE...?

David Odeen said...

Has Mudkitty entered P P illegally or did you reapprove her visa? I would have made her pay the 395 to visit!

Other thne that Doug of course you are spot on.

Anonymous said...

Dave, are you going to threaten to leave if I'm here? And then invite me to your site? Are you complaining? Just askin?

Obob said...

I love the old joke of tax day being as far from election day as possible. Not to sound negative or race baiting, but look at the growing tension between blacks and the illegals. I've noticed it in my classroom from my black students and in the street.

Anonymous said...

obob - There has always been tension between blacks and Latino youths? You're a teacher, and you're just now picking up on it? For goodness sake, I hope your not contributing to it, or egging anyone on.

*****

Which brings me to something I want to say to DG - on you show yesterday, you sounded downright disappointed that there wasn't some type of physical confrontation between the GOE and the so-called anti-war protesters. You sounded downright disappointed that no leftie pissed on a memorial, and then got their behind booted. You sounded so very disappointed that the burning in effigy nonsense people were so small in numbers (30 out of 15,000 people total, including the GOE...) It's like you were hoping for a firecracker, but ended up with a dud.

David Odeen said...

There's a edge to this reformed Kitty...no more a meow..more a roar..now!

David Odeen said...

BTW: the show I heard and called into I did not sense Dougs diappointment, n=but you like to put words into others mouths.

Anonymous said...

Baloney. First off, DG did try to get Bushwack to say how awful the protesters were...many of the questions were loaded.

Secondly, I never put one word in anyones mouth...you can't name one. If DG wants to correct my perception, he's welcome to do so, and knowing him, he will do so.

And thirdly Dave - this kitty is multi-faceted, not just all purrs, or all growls. So don't pretend this "edge" you've suddenly discovered is anything new. Just ask DG. Or Jenn of the Tree-house, for that matter.

Anonymous said...

Anyway, I'm not getting an answer to any of my questions. And you guys say I don't answer questions.