Peaches.....well said. Couldn't say it any better so why try.
I live in So. California and I see a LOT of illegals every day. I also know a lot of people who have come here legally from Mexico who are great contributors to society. I've gone to many nationalization ceremonies and cheered on new friends from other countries who have made good on their citizenship to America. That's not what we're talking about here - remember it is ILLEGAL. Not legal. People who cheat the system just like all those folks I used to see in Oakland living in the projects and driving a Mercedes or Lexus to cash their welfare checks every month.
Many years ago when our kids were little my husband lost his job. He was out of work for 6 months. We weren't making any money. We applied for some food stamps and medical for the kids - I was managing a small apartment complex in exchange for rent/utilities.
In the cubicle next to us a couple who had just illegally came to the US was applying for the "whole welfare package" - the woman told them not to worry about filling out the paperwork, she'd handle it - and if the didn't have SS #'s it was OK. The State of California was "there to help."
After filling out the forms ourselves twice, waiting a few weeks for an appointment, adding our Social Security numbers, disclosing our previous financial information, tax information and account data we were told that we didn't qualify for anything. Because I was the "bread-winning" spouse on our taxes the year before (I made more money than my husband) and was still "gainfully employed" as an apartment manager (I received NO CASH, only rent & utilities) that they could not help us. Where did all my taxes go?
What kind of bullshit is that??? I paid taxes. I paid Social Security. I am a LEGAL citizen. My husband served in the military. Yet I don't qualify for HELP when my family is down and out - but ILLEGAL people who have no previous record of contributing to the society that is helping them out DO???
Flat tax....sounds like a good idea. That might deter some who come here for a free ride, but more likely it would create a whole new black market for goods that are non-taxed by the government and sold only to illegals. For every solution there is a counter solution.
Very frustrating indeed.....
Last edited by kath at Feb 3 2003, 04:04 PM
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