Now, I'm not saying that I hate ALL Mexicans, but I have become stereotypical of them.
I believe that the largest problem with Mexicans is that they want to come here into the US to find a new life, but never leave their's behind. They bring in their language and culture and all that crap, mainly because they're too damn lazy to learn ours. Want to know why? Because a majority are coming in illegaly! There is an internal war against the rising minority of Mexicans and it needs to be stopped NOW!

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Originally posted by Napoleon:
I believe that the largest problem with Mexicans is that they want to come here into the US to find a new life, but never leave their's behind. They bring in their language and culture and all that crap, mainly because they're too damn lazy to learn ours.

Ours? So what is our culture? Please, I would really like to know.

Language & Culture = Crap. Indeed. [/sarcasm]

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Maybe they're not FORCING it. But I see it all over the place in May and it makes me sick. I don't care about Mexico's independence. Why not have celebrations of EVERY countries independence? Sure, you can celebrate it personally, but they're making it too public.

If you don't care about Mexico's Independence (which someone pointed out is NOT on May 5), then don't celebrate it. If you don't want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, then don't celebrate it. Leave the celebrations to those Americans who enjoy participating in other cultures. Obviously, that doesn't include you.

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As you pointed out y'all come here and wokr your tails off, why not stay in your home land and better it. Hell my ancestors didn't have that option, on one side the country was torn apart by war, on the other we were under the foot of an oppressive regime and literally had no food. Mexico is way better off then that, and you supposedly have a democracy too.

Perhaps they come here because they wish to have a better life. You know, the American Dream, and whatnot. The problem is, I think, is that the "American Dream" isn't the best thing in the world, yet us Americans purport it to be. I think that this image has been played out in many countries and has convinced many immigrants that this is what they need. When really, they could probably do just as well in their native countries.

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The Hispanics have no right to invade our culture and our language like this.

Again, please, what culture? Define American culture.

And how, exactly, do you invade a language?

The immigration process is very complicated and lengthy. In order to migrate legally here and work here, you must apply for an immigrant visa, otherwise known as a green card. They don't hand out green cards to just anyone. There even is a quota system. Green card applications from the Philippines are backlogged almost 10 years simply because of the sheer amount of applicants. You can apply for a green card now, and not be approved until 5-10 years have passed. In addition to the lengthy process time, one needs to prove that they'll be able to find a job in the United States. Highly skilled professionals have a better time applying for a green card because they'll have an easier time acquiring a job from a company located in the U.S. In addition to this, an application costs $260 for each individual and $65 for issuance. While this may not seem like a lot, to many people, it's a fortune.

So, facing all of this, it's easy to see why many people resort to illegally crossing the border. I am not saying that it's a good thing, I'm just showing why a person might choose to do something like this.

And Mexican immigrants are learning the language. The problem is, they're focusing on learning English that would be relevant to their jobs. And since most of the jobs that they are able to attain aren't jobs that require an extensive English vocabulary, their education in English isn't progressing as much as we would hope.

In regards to illegal immigration, the U.S. should have better border control. And no, I do not mean build a fence.

We Americans are so used to hockey and maple syrup that we don't see it as a cultural invasion. Now, if our coins started showing birds on them...wait...they do! How sinister...

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The Hispanics have no right to invade our culture and our language like this.

Just like the British and French had no right to invade the Indian culture? If you want to wage an open war with Mexico, go ahead.

What about Canadians? We're trying to invade your culture too! (No, seriously...)

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And if you're talking about Spanish on packaging and such (which I actually do find a bit annoying at times), you should know that ballots in Seattle are often distributed with Chinese on them, in addition to English.

Most packages are written in English, Spanish, and French, as are most "Caution: Floor Slippery When Wet" signs. This is not a new invention by any means, either, seeing as they've been like that since I could read, over 15 years ago.

And in certain areas of Wisconsin, things like School information that's sent home is available in English, Spanish, or Hmong.

It really depends on where you live, because I go to school in a SMALL town, and it's Norwegian and English. And the thing is, not even one hundred years ago, those groups were wide spread, but settling in various settlements with other similar speakers.

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The presence of all these Hispanic workers has not changed daily life for anyone in my hometown. We don't celebrate Day of the Dead. We don't have pinatas at our birthday parties. You don't see mariachi bands walking down the street. You may encounter stuff like that in areas with high concentrations of Hispanic families, but that's no different than Chinatowns or anything else.

We really don't either, but it's nice having a higher concentration of a nice cutlure where I live because it exposes me to a lot of things (like AMAZING food) that I normally would not have been privy too.

And Dia de las Muertas should be celebrated in the U.S. Me gusta la idea de este dia.

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But when more people in America speak Spanish in public instead of English, then there is a problem in the melting pot.

This is probably just on a place-by-place basis. Considering 82% of the people in the United States speak English as a primary language, I highly doubt that Spanish is more prevalent in most places.

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Just because one group comes in large numbers doesn't mean that we should change our lives to fit into their's.

Who says we have to? No one's forcing us to speak Spanish. And if you're talking about Spanish on packaging and such (which I actually do find a bit annoying at times), you should know that ballots in Seattle are often distributed with Chinese on them, in addition to English.

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The Hispanics have no right to invade our culture and our language like this.

I still don't see how they are "invading." The influx of Spanish-speaking people with their own traditions has no impact on everyone else. I live in an area with a very high proportion of migrant workers, but I don't speak Spanish. I don't plan on learning it any time soon, either. The presence of all these Hispanic workers has not changed daily life for anyone in my hometown. We don't celebrate Day of the Dead. We don't have pinatas at our birthday parties. You don't see mariachi bands walking down the street. You may encounter stuff like that in areas with high concentrations of Hispanic families, but that's no different than Chinatowns or anything else.

Claiming that everyone needs to "fit in" with American culture seems a bit ethnocentric to me. No one is forcing anyone to change, so I don't see what the problem is.

Those kinds of communities are centered in one area. The Mexican-flood is wide spread. Just because one group comes in large numbers doesn't mean that we should change our lives to fit into their's. America is their country now, not Mexico. Just because there are a lot of them doesn't mean that we are3 the ones that should be adapting. When they are at home, they can speak in Portugese for all I care, but this is America, and Americans are an English speaking people. Every other culture has changed to fit in. The "China Towns" and "German Fests" are just a SMALL (compared to the flood) gathering of people from the same place of origin. The Hispanics have no right to invade our culture and our language like this.

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I don't hear anyone complaining about the heavy German influence in certain towns in America, where they still celebrate with maypoles and dress in traditional costumes.

There was heavy anti-German feelings in the early 20th century, especially around WWI. Heavy anti-Irish sentiments were once apparent in the U.S.

That being said, these things take time. As soon as the complaining people find a new scapegoat, it'll all blow over.

But when more people in America speak Spanish in public instead of English, then there is a problem in the melting pot.

Has anyone stopped to think what American culture even is? It's a conglomeration of pretty much every culture in the world. It's natural for immigrants to bring along their own unique culture. It doesn't get integrated for quite a while, and certain cultures still stand apart in things like celebrations and traditions. I don't hear anyone complaining about the heavy German influence in certain towns in America, where they still celebrate with maypoles and dress in traditional costumes.

Completely agree. All the other cultures had to learn ours, so the Hispanics shouldn't get special treatment. It is wrong.

I agree. I'm not predjudice, and I respect them and their cultures, but it is exactly that ILLEGAL. The government is restricted in sorting and organizing our government because they don't know how many people are out there illegally. I also think they should keep there culture, traditions, and language, but learn English.

I don't think its right to stereotype ALL Mexicans.

NOT all of them act the same.

What you said was SO ignorant. So what if they bring their culture, everyone has brought their culture to america it's what make us unique. Do the Italins who come leave their culture behind, how about the Irish or even you ancestors? NO! Everyone keeps saying that they don't adapt to our culture but what is "american culture" If you were to leave America and go to another country you wouldn't so well either I guarentee it. So open your closed mind. The reason why they come here is to make a better life for themselves and their families and in the process they bring their culture with them. I do have to admit sometimes many immigrants not just mexicans can be a little ignorant and inconsiberate of us but so can we and until you can completely understand or become open minded you have no room to critize.

Yeah we say that it's ok for people to come into this country but alot of people don't even want that. Many people feel like we are letting too many in legal or illegal. Many people have a really hard time getting into this country. It's easy for celebrities like Jim Carrey to get legal status. If we make it easy for them we should make it easy for everyone. I do think people should go the legal route like our parents parents but situations are different. We should encourage people to go the legal route and our politicians should come up with ways to do that.

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Why is it fair for us to say that they should learn to speak English but if you go to a foreign country like Spain you want to find someone that speaks English.

wrong. If we move to forgein countries we are expected to learn the language. Only in America do we accomadate so many different tounges

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It's just not fair to say that people don't deserve the same education, healthcare, opportunities and respect as the rest of us

Of course they do, but if they want the same opportunities as American citizens they should respect our laws and wait in line like the rest of the world to earn that, like my grandparents and great grandparents did. Only one of my ancestors had no issue or wait coming to this country and he was in a prison ship when this country was still an english colony

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It's important for this country to welcome people and teach their children that people can be different but still offer positives.

That's not the problem so much as that what the illegals are doing is indeed illegal. You mention respect, that is something that is earned, not given and you start to earn respect from a society by following it's laws. I welcome all legal immigrants with open arms. Had I the time I would likely hang out, outside the room where they take their oath of citizenship and welcome them home myself. If a white man crosses the boarder illegally he nets the same treatment as any other illegal. This is not a question of race, nor status but of law.

It's just not fair to say that people don't deserve the same education, healthcare, opportunities and respect as the rest of us. Yeah maybe the Latino population has grown but isn't that something as Americas we should be proud of and welcome. We get new culture and people coming here everyday. Why is it fair for us to say that they should learn to speak English but if you go to a foreign country like Spain you want to find someone that speaks English. It's important for this country to welcome people and teach their children that people can be different but still offer positives. Especially in MS we still see Latinos as migrant workers. That's not right. They should be looked at with respect and can hold office positions like the rest of us. I know how it feels to be discriminated and told I should go back to my country. Well this is my country and I want to share it with people who appreciate it not people who feel privlaged and think they can sit on their ass all day and not help to make it better.

No it's alright dear, even an angel can be snappy from time to time and my original post had me in one of my asshole modes too

Alright, then don't generalize. Every situation is different. Anyhow, now that I look back at my post I realize that I was rude. I apologize for that, I felt offended. But in reality my mood swings have nothing to do with you, so I'm sorry.

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If you haven't been in our shoes I suggest that you don't judge.

my family has been thanks so much. The whole family only spoke german fresh off the boat, they all had to get jobs so they could afford food, they were hated for being german in post WW2 america and they all managed to learn english. At least your family wasn't spit on, shot at and hated for being from a country that the whole damn planet wanted destroyed at the time.

The other half of the family is from one of the most hated and persecuted ethnicities on earth and while they spoke english they were more likely to get beaten then accepted to a job

NINA (No Irish Need Apply) signs would still be up in some parts of this country if the laws would let the store owners