Ok, here is what pisses me off.

who says you have to go to school to learn a language? I managed to pick up a couple while travelling, but if that isn't an option, there are other methods. For example, often times libraries offer free night classes, or if they aren't free they are not too expensive. Or, you could do a language swap with a friend... like, say if you actually made friends with a Mexican... he could help you with your Spanish, and you could help him with his English. Or, there are tapes and books...

oh... and in Europe? People often speak multiple languages over there... N.America is one of the few areas of the world where so many people only speak one language.

 

I have many Mexican friends. I just wonder why their country can't employ them. Why should I adapt for them? Answer me why a country with a moderate climate, lots of acreage and all kinds of natural resources can't employ their own people?

 

Perhaps political and corporate corruption plays the biggest role. Why can't they stay home and perform the same duties they do here?

 

I was born in California I am an American, I will not leave. And I will continue to ask questions.

 

It's the Mexicans that are leaving their country and not questioning it's corruption and collusion.

 

They can't find suitable employment in their own country, because in order to do anything they have to pay at least three government officials to obtain papers or permission. If they stood up and fought their own corruption they could be an equal partner, as it is now they are being used by greedy gringo corporate fat cats.

 

Do what you want... which appears to be complaining about immigrants instead of actually trying to advance yourself and education.

You point out that they should stay and fight corruption in their own country... but you aren't even willing to open a book. Seems like you are asking a lot of them, but not expecting to have to lift a finger yourself.

So... complain away, but your rational is lacking.

 

I am not complaining about immigrants, I am wondering why they can't find employment in their own country.

I communicate with my immigrant friends, you have any? What are you doing for them. I work with them and live with them.

Shouldn't the fact they can't find gainful employment in their own country be an issue. If not, why not?

 

I am educated, I am just wondering about your level of education.

 

Here we are on the verge of founding a North American Union, and I feel Mexico is the least equal of the equation. But the corporations love their low income labor pool. They seek to take advantage of it.

A handful of the already rich in Mexico will profit, and many American corporations. But the laborers won't. All boats won't be raised, that's a fallacy. Only those that fly the corporate colors will rise on an economic upturn.

 

I do not live in the US... I live in Canada. Not a lot of Mexican immigrants in Canada for some reason... . I live in Saskatchewan... not a lot of immigrants at all in Saskatchewan. I am friends with lots of second and third generation Canadians, hell, I am a second generation Canadian myself! Other than that, yes, the few immigrants there are in my community, yes.. I am/was friends with them. Further north, where my father lives, there are a lot of female immigrants from the Philippines who are having a hard time adjusting... I help them out whenever I can, as I am one of the few non-Filipinos who speak Tagalog. Sometimes a friendly face and a "Mabuhay" can really make a difference.

The immigrants in my community are employed. There are 2 South African doctors, an East Indian lawyer and a Filipino family (off the top of my head I don't know what they do, but they are pretty well off). When a church of some other group sponsors a family to come to Canada as refugees, the entire community pulls together to help them get settled.

As for my education level? I have 2 degrees... one in English and the other in Fine Arts. But what does my education have to do with your learning Spanish? I never said you were uneducated.. just pointed out that you don't have to go to school to learn a language, and that you DO seem unwilling to make an effort to learn a new language.

Have you spent any large amount of time in a 3rd World country? Things there aren't always a simple as they seem to the outside world.

 

No never spent any time in a 3d world country to be honest. But I've harvested almonds, peaches, prunes and walnuts alongside immigrants.

I too have two degrees, one in Fine Arts and one in Ornamental Horticulture.

I've worked side by side with Mexican workers, have you. I want the best for them. I want their country to provide them a living wage. And I wish they would fight for that. But they would rather come to the US and work, and spend their money on coyotes to get them here.

 

Why can't they grow and sell these same crops in Mexico?

 

If I went to Mexico to work and live I would expect to learn Spanish. Why should I as an American think that is expected, to remain in my country of origin and work.

Mexicans that come here illegally for low paid wages should expect us to learn their language? Isn't that a paradox?

 

I thought we already established this.... but to recap...

I am Canadian and there are not a lot of Mexican workers in Canada. But.. that being said.. I have worked along side immigrants from other simular countries. I've also worked with the poor in those same countries. I've worked in slum schools teaching English, I've worked in shelters... I've met former heads of states and asked them uncomfortable questions (for example, I once asked Emelda Marcos how she justifies spending all that money on shoes when her people are starving... and got thrown out of the party for my efforts)

I would love for 3rd World Countries to provide for their people.. but I don't think that is going to be happening any time soon. And a lot of people do stay and fight. I have several friends in Mexico City who were involved in the semi-riot over the last election. Just because some people leave the country for greener pastures (and you can't deny that to them the US is the land of plenty) doesn't mean that they are all leaving.

Unfortunately, the level of change you are requesting will take years and years to accomplish and it will will take individuals AND groups working from both the inside and out to even make a dent in the levels of corruption so totally entrenched in their society.

I am wondering why you are so obsessed with levels of education. A previous level of education has nothing to do with learning Spanish... which is what this whole thread was about.

Anyway... I'm done fighting about this with you. Muchos Gracias, mi amigo.

 

You are the one that brought up my inability to retrain myself. I've harvested crops with the immigrants I've eaten supper with them. I've talked politics. It's been years since the US made illegal immigration viable and let Mexico off the hook.

It's time to put them back on the hook and say support your population or don't try to be part of this union. What do you have to offer? You want US Social Security for your illegals you want the US to subsidize your government. Guess what I am not willing to do that. You are in Canada, it's no skin off you nose, but it is mine and my chicano friends.

 

I am impressed you met Emelda Marcos. Wahoo. How many pair of shoes did she give up? How many peasants did she ever care about?

 

With Mexico's temperate climate why can't they be the farming capital of the world. We've trained enough of their people to monitor and bring the crops in, why isn't it possible?

 

They've certainly learned the drug trade (cultivation and manufacture) in a shorter time than you wish to give them to become independent and functioning in a normal sense.

 

This is thinly-veiled ill-conceived racism.

You're neither convincing anybody nor impressing them. You might as well let it go.