Legal??? Illegal????

I normally don't spout off about politics, and the current news/issues, however, this business of all the protesting because of immigration policies has finally got me going and I can't leave it alone! What really got to me was the front page of today's Arizona Star Newspaper. The headlines read "Immigration Measures, Student throngs here walk out for 2nd day" HUH??? And then accompanying this is a picture of a young lady, Hispanic, waving a Mexico flag in one hand and wearing a Mexico flag as a scarf/bandanna on her head. HIGH SCHOOL students have walked out of class for the 2nd day in a row. In my day of school, that would be called "Cutting class". And there would be punishment for it. I doubt seriously 99% of these kids care about immigration issues, it is just "the thing to do" and it gets them out of school! Now I have to ask, isn't this still America? If the young lady waving the Mexican flag is loyal enough to Mexico to wave their flag, and is so unhapppy with American polices, why isn't she in Mexico???? Why the hell is she here? But I digress......

First of all, we are all immigrants from some where if we are not Native Americans. Our forefathers came to this land to make a better life for themselves and I have no complaint with that. However, MOST CAME HERE LEGALLY! Yes, they came over by whatever means, boat, walk, run, wagon, etc. across the borders LEGALLY. They obeyed the established laws of the United States (or they established the laws.) They didn't SNEAK across a border somewhere, and then either 1.) take a chance of dying in the hot desert; 2.) run from authorities and get shot/killed 3.) get caught and sent back to try it one more time; and finally, 4) STOP THE SMUGGLERS FROM BRINGING ACROSS ILLEGALS, who pay them hugh amounts of money, and are treated inhumanly. Our forefathers, the ones who made this country what it is; came here to make a better life for them and their families (to which they either brought with them or sent for their family when they could.) Those who are protesting now say we should let the illegal ones stay...and NOT punish them. Well, okay, WHY???? Why don't we send them back and let them come to America the legal way? Takes to long you say? Yes, that might be true. But maybe there is a reason for that. Has everyone forgot 9/11??? And the terrorist were here legally (or kinda)...and look what they did to us. How do we know that the illegal immigrants coming across our borders aren't terrorist??? Again, they should be made to come across legally.

Now, haven said that, I do think that a "guest worker" program could work. When I say guest, I mean, they could come here as a guest (defined as someone who doesn't reside here) and work doing the work us spoiled Americans won't do (that is a whole different topic that I won't belabor now). Immigrants could come here for a specified time limit (6 months, year, 2 years) and be given the opportunity to work AND PAY TAXES, JUST LIKE THE REST OF US POOR WORKING SLOBS DO! During their "guest" time they would also be given the opportunity to learn our language (what a novel concept THAT is) and study to take the test and become an AMERICAN CITIZEN! They possibly could even bring their immediate family here after becoming an American Citizen, (unless the entire family comes to work, then the aforementioned opportunity would apply to the entire family.)

That leads to the next idea....let them work legally and pay taxes --- perhaps we could actually lower our taxes! (Now, quit laughing and stay with me here!) THe majority of the illegal immigrants don't pay U.S. taxes, work under the table for wages a bit higher than if they had to pay taxes and are taking jobs away from perhaps the unemployed Americans. Most of the illegal immigrants are here putting their children into our schools and overcrowding our schools, forcing us to teach in different languages, and lessening the education our children are getting. AND most of the illegal immigrants are getting better medical care that we are -- and for free. Who pays? WE DO. In higher medical costs. Now, if they were here legally, we could build more schools with the tax dollars they generate and PAY, we could build more clinics for medical needs that they could use AND PAY FOR. If they had to send money back home to Mexico to support family, that is fine, however, they would have paid U.S. taxes on it first! I,personnally, am tired of everyone coming to this country thinking WE OWE them something! They can EARN it, just like the rest of us do and our forefathers did!

To wind up this rambling, let me say that I know some of you won't agree with me, and I don't expect you to....and you have the right and the freedom not to...that is what this great country is all about. However, I will bet you and your forefathers came here legally, and you pay your share of your taxes, and are proud to be called an American. And the immigrants today can do the same.....IF they do it legally! Enough is enough, we don't owe them anything, let them earn it just like we do/did!

Spring????

Spring in Tucson can be interesting and this one is no different. Last weekend, we had rain, snow, wind (a lot of wind -- blew down our neighbor's shed, rearranged our patio furniture); then it was nice, warm for the rest of the week. Now, today, it is repeating last weekend, wind, rain, snow, repeat. The weather just can't seem to make up it's mind. And the saying "March comes it like a lion, it will go out like a lamb" or visa versa, well, I think the weather is PRACTICING for the end of March, since it came in like a lamb! We are very thankful for the rain/snow/rain. Our cactus are really starting to thrive, our Octillo is starting to bloom. For those who don't have a clue what an Otcillo is, it is a plant that looks like dead sticks sticking straight up in the air, and once a year, if and when it gets enough moisture, it gets really green and has beautiful red blossoms at the end of the "Sticks"....it is one of my favorite desert plants. Oh yea, it also has stickers on it, just like everything else in the desert!

For the past couple of weeks we have been laying low. AL has been battling pneumonia since March 6. He is much improved now, however, still has to take it easy as he tires very quickly. There for a while, he was pretty darn sick. The doctor has been wonderful, especially since he kept him out of the hospital. However, some of the antibiotics he has prescribed wasn't much cheaper than a hospital stay! Needless to say, I let out a yowl when I went to pick up the prescription and it was $197 for 10 pills, and that was after the insurance had picked up their share. These pills were $40 a pop! No wonder the USA is in such a mess over prescription/medical care. How do people who have no insurance do this???? Thank you Boeing for your retirement insurance coverage!

Have you ever been to a Renaissance Fair? We have never been, so on the 4th we made the trek to Phoenix to attend one. We went with Holly, Bruce and Cortney and we had a great time. I really didn't think I would enjoy it since I am not into the "mid-evil" thing, however, I really had a good time. We all enjoyed the entertainment and the huge turkey legs that we bought for lunch. There was no way I could eat that huge thing! WOW! But they were good. It was fun seeing all of the people in costume, and most attendee's were even in costume (except us, of course!) It was a good day and we were glad we went.

Well, that is about it from this end of the world for now. We hope this finds everyone doing well and living life they way they want. Life is too short to be miserable -- live it to the fullest...there is no second go around.

Until next time we are --

The UNwroaming Wraspirs!

RAIN!!! Finally!

It's RAINING!!! Finally, some moisture! Now, granted, it isn't a lot of rain like Seattle gets, but more than 10 drops all together here is worth celebrating! Our deck is wet, wet stuff is running down the windows, and the road is wet and best of all, IT SMELLS LIKE RAIN! Of course, the weather guessers (now, wouldn't I love that job! Where else could you be wrong 99% of the time and keep your job???) said the rain would miss us. HAHAHA...they were wrong. Given, it isn't much rain, but when you have been as parched as we have been for 136 days, we will take what we can get! And wonders of all wonders, it is a nice, gentle rain. Unlike when we have the monsoons and we get all the rain for a year in an hour! And this rain won't wash out our private road!
We attended Tucson's Rodeo last week. What fun! We like to go to the Rodeo's where ever we are and this one was a great rodeo. One bull wasn't quite ready to leave the arena, so he just layed down in the middle and refused to budge! It was very funny watching the cowboys try to get him to move. They would get him up and head him towards the gate and at the last minute, the bull would turn around, go back out to the middle of the arena and lay down again!
Question of the day for me. Why, would the U.S. even consider letting Arab's run some of our ports???? Didn't we learn from 9/11? Are we trying to set ourselves up for letting terrorist into the country??? What about terrorism doesn't Bush understand? Now, I have been a Bush supporter, and I haven't hidden that fact. But I seriously disagree with his thinking on this port deal.
Until next time.................