Why do people in the US and Canada want illegal drugs? What is wrong with these people????? In addition to a border wall, we might wish to build institutional walls for these folks and guard them with the same measures of security that nations use to keep drugs from passing into their borders.

To date, the efforts to deal with illegal drugs have had some successes, but the problems persist. So the border wall cannot solve the old, tentacled issue, but it might be useful. A US border wall will help by providing one mechanism of reduction and re-direction. I believe that it will help Mexico and the US, but it is only one part of a larger theme. The border will alleviate some of the issue and possibly free up Mexico's resources for other border and coastal concerns. That country is burdened!

I still don't know where all the United States-provided education of some of other countries' citizens has gone... In some nations, apparently, it has not reached a usable level or it never gets past the social guards who will not permit information that could lead to change and/or a reduction in their power.

@shoptastic wrote:

There is some historical racial hypocrisy when it comes to illegal immigration, but I think it's also sort of a red herring when it comes to our current debates/discussions. A lot of really messed up stuff happened in the past in this country, but we can't let that lawlessness dictate how we go forward.

Today, there are laws that seem more fair and make sense when it comes to immigration.

There are legal channels to come here. The U.S. also gives tons of charity to poor and developing nations (some government sponsored and some through individual/private donations - Christian churches being a big source).

If our system is fair today, then that's how we should be judged (not by our grandparents' and great grandparents', etc. actions).

As usual you misinterpreted my point.

My last word (honest)....why should this turn into a black or white subject..both black, white, yellow, purple all colors have their share of kids that need help. Being white doesn't mean a child has a dream life, many white Mothers living alone are raising kids with no child support... this should be whoever gets the best grades gets chosen first, not because schools receive more dollars from Int'l students. I'm personally sick of this lopsided system.

@MikiNV wrote:

I Look in neighboring Mexico, immigrants marching, hoping to reach, not university, but a safe haven.

This is the problem in your argument. The current caravan is not from Mexico, and is not interested in simply a safe haven. They've passed through several. Doing so negates their ability to seek asylum.

At least be honest -- when 2/3 of non-citizen households are collecting taxpayer benefits (or "only 58%" if you discount the EIC), states such as California are not going to be able to absorb millions more on the dole. It's just not financially feasible.

@shoptastic wrote:

I think given all the wars the U.S. involves itself in, why not go into Mexico and try to crush these drug gangs also?

They are a sovereign country.

@shoptastic wrote:

But, longer term, I wouldn't mind seeing these evil drug gangs wiped off the face of the Earth. I mean, we have the technological capability and firepower to blow them away.

Apparently, there are about a dozen who control the majority of the trade. Again, we run into the issue of sovereign countries. Part of the solution is killing the demand.

@shoptastic wrote:

I think everyone wants to help the poor throughout the world. But, I also think we should do it in a way that makes long-term sustainable sense. Maybe it requires some short-term pain, such as some people having to wait longer, but that would be better than destabilizing/collapsing the U.S.A. - in which case, everyone loses long-term.

Good on 'ya, there.

@iShop123 wrote:

At least be honest -- when 2/3 of non-citizen households are collecting taxpayer benefits (or "only 58%" if you discount the EIC), states such as California are not going to be able to absorb millions more on the dole. It's just not financially feasible.

You won't find that number, which is an "estimate", cited by any non-partisan research center. That number comes from an "estimate" by a right wing organization (Center for Immigration Studies) that is against (LEGAL) immigration.

Not only that but it's talking about non-citizen households not undocumented immigrants. Since undocumented immigrants (much to the disbelief of most anti-immigrant people) do not get any benefits and since this discussion is specifically about undocumented immigrants this isn't really even material to the current conversation. But even if it is these non-citizens (documented immigrants) still have to pay taxes.

Edited to add
And while we are on this subject "immigrants are all take and no give" it is estimated (again, just an estimate) that undocumented immigrants figured out a way to pay $11.2 BILLION in income taxes in 2017. Most of which was by people hoping that it would help them become citizens eventually.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/2019 02:54AM by bgriffin.

Nothing is wrong with my post. I humbled myself to tell you the tinny personal story; there is nothing wrong with it, my fellow shopper. Nothing. You choose to not accept it; now you will really dislike my personal experience when I tell you more (saying with sense of sarcasm and humor)

Mexican government set up the temporary space for the caravans, it is in Olympic park called Magdalena Mixhuca (speaking of MX City); if you have been to Formula One, you would know what I am talking about. Many foreign Moms in Mexico, predominantly American, organized delivery of about 300 backpacks full of goodies including shoes, socks, granola bars. One of the Moms works in Mexico City office of my previous company, I consider her a friend. I know Mexico City too well.

I have hiked their Pacaya volcano, been to Copan ruins, chilled on Corn Island, ate fresh lobster on Los Roques, almost froze at Perrito Moreno; been from Juarez to Ushuaia. I learned Spanish, Portuguese so-so. I can do very good café de olla haha It is a gift. People are a gift. They would love your crazy and chatty American attitude, your hard-to-understand accent, white socks and Nikes, ability to talk while smiling or make fun of yourself.

No, I do not think minorities deserve less scholarships (as someone said, not you, I think) Education is a pilar of democracy, and our international relations and international communities help our communities and economy greatly. Sometimes life stinks.. nah...it is no one to blame...we are doing fine.

Politics, I don't know; I am an engineer with MS gig. Tons of drugs enter through legal ports of entry; joining Just Say No campaign? or convincing a neighbor or a friend to drop pot? I don't know....One shopper said that he/she helps newcomer families with adjusting/and such process; some volunteer. Those immigrants who are now your friends, coworkers and neighbors remember those social workers very well. Volunteering maybe!? Take on int'l shops (Coyle, Merc, Bare...many more, depending on continent and country; you don't need to speak local language nor hold special work permit) !? No one wants to hurt us and no one has the intention to hurt us. We are free and life is very good. We live in capitalism with endless opportunities. Grab them.

@iShop123 wrote:

@MikiNV wrote:

I Look in neighboring Mexico, immigrants marching, hoping to reach, not university, but a safe haven.

This is the problem in your argument. The current caravan is not from Mexico, and is not interested in simply a safe haven. They've passed through several. Doing so negates their ability to seek asylum.

At least be honest -- when 2/3 of non-citizen households are collecting taxpayer benefits (or "only 58%" if you discount the EIC), states such as California are not going to be able to absorb millions more on the dole. It's just not financially feasible.

@MikiNV wrote:

No, I do not think minorities deserve less scholarships (as someone said, not you, I think) Education is a pilar of democracy, and our international relations and international communities help our communities and economy greatly. Sometimes life stinks.. nah...it is no one to blame...we are doing fine.

I don't think they deserve less -- or more -- scholarships. They ought to be based on merit, not judged by the color of one's skin.

We're not a democracy, btw. A democracy is mob rule. We are a Republic, a nation based on law rather than the whim of the majority. That *protects* minorities.

To a woman, there is nothing worst than adult men complaining and blaming everyone else.
Take on Coyle. American hotel in Dar-es-Salaam. Take a short flight to zanzibar to visit where they picked and send the strongest slaves to your hometown. Walk around the island. People are of different genetics and religion than you; don’t freak out. When you are done, there are few shops at nearby Seychelles, enjoy the beach. If you have not humbled yourself by then, come visit and spend Christmas with me and my family.
C’mon, stop.

I just returned from the US and headed straight to Timmy's at the airport for my perfect cup of black coffee.

@heartlandcanuck wrote:

I do Jones for Timmies sometimes. No Canadian will admit that the coffee tastes terrible, which is why we drink it "double double," but has a magical, addictive quality to it. It is hard to fin a decent cup of coffee in rural Iowa so we use a French press.

You must mean Justin Trudeau... Bieber came south, too. I miss where every small town has at least two rinks: one for curling and one for hockey. The hockey rinks typically are dry arenas in the summer. Can't polka on ice.

Not supposed to get into politics here, so I'll just say that I remind our three sons quite often that they are dual citizens. The thought of getting our house up to snuff to be put on sale is daunting. Some day... (or 2020 will make America kind again...) Anti-immigrant sentiments are quite strong in the Midwest. I realize most of the intention is veiled racism, as people will say they don't mean me, an English-speaking woman of European ancestry. So yeah, the racist remarks aren't really aimed my way. They sting, though. Sometimes I make the mistake of reading public comments on articles by local media. People I know from town will say horrible things. There have been weeks when I didn't want to leave the house. I'd drop the kids at school, make my US-born husband do the grocery shopping, and do mystery shopping on weekends far away from here where no one knows I am an immigrant. I cannot imagine what it must be like for an immigrant who has brown or black skin right now. Open hostility towards "the other' is en vogue right now.

@MikiNV wrote:

@ heartlandcanuck....why would you give up curling, Tim Hortons and Justin?!

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer

If I hear any more ridiculousness here, I may be heading that way too. Canadiens are in Toronto this weekend; I will put my red on (*no bashing*) and then stalk Justin

I missed the fact that heartlandcunuck is in Iowa....yeah, no bueno

@MikiNV wrote:

To a woman, there is nothing worst than adult men complaining and blaming everyone else.
Take on Coyle. American hotel in Dar-es-Salaam. Take a short flight to zanzibar to visit where they picked and send the strongest slaves to your hometown. Walk around the island. People are of different genetics and religion than you; don’t freak out. When you are done, there are few shops at nearby Seychelles, enjoy the beach. If you have not humbled yourself by then, come visit and spend Christmas with me and my family.
C’mon, stop.

Not sure I understand your post, but I can think of a few things worse ;-) [also, not entirely sure who has/lacks a Y chromosome on this site.] If Coyle will fork over the $1500 for a flight to Zanzibar, I'd love to visit. I'm sort of doubting they're willing to pay that, but Rui Palace looks like a blast.

I saw an explanation of the emergency/not an emergency. An attorney explained that and how the various issues related to substance abuse and human trafficking might be abated by the existence of the border wall. To date, those problems sprawl and ruin lives, despite long-standing worldwide efforts to help. If a wall will contribute to abatement of the drug abuse issues and help to stem the human trafficking activities, I will accept the border wall (used in conjunction with other measures) as necessary and helpful at this time in history.
Mind you, it is an absurd tragedy that a place once of promise and opportunity has devolved into a place where freedoms to maim and ruin are demanded to the point that many people will not have any opportunities. We have serious boundaries issues, and we need a wall and global psychotherapy! End of rant. On to the next...

I still hope that people who already are here or can arrive soon can get onto good personal paths and fare well. So, I still welcome all kinds of shoppers here, regardless of any factor. It could be a better gesture if there were more shops here for people, but it's a good thought.

@MFJohnston wrote:

Drug Cartels:
We tried that with Reagan's War on Drugs. The issue is this: As long as there are consumers (primarily in the U.S.) who want the products, there are folks in impoverished countries who will try to enrich themselves (even at risk to their own lives) through providing the desired product.

It's more the violent, evil drug gangs I'd want to target, MFJ. I don't wish to lock up users. I believe they ought to seek substance abuse treatment if they are addicts and/or be allowed to use certain types of drugs recreationally (if done responsibly and there is no harm).

I guess I feel like we have all this military power and we constantly intervene in world affairs with our military might...why not help Mexico out (maybe lend them our technology or offer "troop"/police support?) and get rid of these violent thugs, who terrorize innocent people and make their nation a living hell of a war zone in certain areas?

I know it's deep and hard to get rid of, though. There are economic reasons that can tempt people into doing horrific things for that quick and easy way out of hardship. But, the Mexican government seems like they could use a hand, as things seem out of control there.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2019 07:20PM by shoptastic.

Will someone just bury this thread, please ?

@walesmaven wrote:

Will someone just bury this thread, please ?

Can we also bury the OP's latest new thread about who she is voting for in 2020? Talking about how a political situation affects mystery shopping is political, but when we have a thread started announcing "I'm voting for XXXX XXXX and so should you" that goes well into the political arena and IMHO sprints way across the line and into extremely offensive.

@roflwofl wrote:

@walesmaven wrote:

Will someone just bury this thread, please ?

Can we also bury the OP's latest new thread about who she is voting for in 2020? Talking about how a political situation affects mystery shopping is political, but when we have a thread started announcing "I'm voting for XXXX XXXX and so should you" that goes well into the political arena and IMHO sprints way across the line and into extremely offensive.

I answered the OP's thread on who she's voting for and so should we...really. I was taken back at the aggressiveness of this statement and although I briefly gave my opinion, I do wonder why the Mod's allow this.
Offensive to some is an understatement on a shopping forum....she gets away with murder....private is as private does, and it seems to exclude some and entertain others on the forum.

OP didn’t manage post well after getting wanted answer; from undocumented immigrants, to documented once, to international students, of different genetics or not; ignorance is real. MOD could adjust guidelines.
Edited: I mean, change the rules to what kind of topics are alowed

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2019 12:44AM by MikiNV.