Patriotism at its Ugliest

So I woke up the other day to find that a friend of mine had posted another blog. Typically she writes about her stresses and issues in a very satirical and witty way that always makes me laugh (Now that I read them more frequently-sorry!) because she's got this smart ass sense of humor which is hysterical and the thing that cemented our friendship from the beginning (well that and her efforts to initially converse with me by saying "you're a nanny? Oh! I had a nanny when I was young!"). However, when I read it this time it was far from her typical entry. Don't get me wrong it was still funny as hell in its own warped sort of way, but this time it was about politics. Now when she and I talk politics typically what happens is we do less talking and more arguing. In fact there have been a few times where I've gotten as far as completely ignoring the words that come out of her mouth and telling her I need to stop listening to her and her launching back that I just want to make her a bad person. It gets ugly. The weirdest part of these arguments though is that on occasion we reach- albeit through very oppositional paths- a point of agreement. Today her comments effectively did the same thing.
See the thing of it was that she was essentially angry about this article in the New York Times featuring this woman who, through grass roots efforts, effectively aided in blocking the immigration legislation that allowed for amnesty. She herself is applying for immigrant status inFrance right now, so the issue of this woman's actions and beliefs became upsetting to her.Now when I read the article I too reached the same, or a similar, annoyance level with this woman and her constituents-albeit for deeply different reasons. The number one thing that annoyed me just immediately before even reading the article was the plethora of images of the people who opposed this legislation standing there next to American flags or even going so far as to wear an American flag shirt for the photo op. Fuck that. Do you people need to be reminded on a daily basis that the American flag is a symbol of a nation of immigrants? Or lets go even one step further- it's a symbol of a nation of immigrants that came here and took the land, the help, the wealth, and the pride of the nations of people that were already here and effectively forced them into submission and killed them off in large quantities. Those immigrants were land hungry, ignorant, and self righteous religious fanatics and businessmen when they came to this country and they stole all those things that those people in the article are adamantly seeking to protect against other intruders. How can we, as a nation, still be so ignorant to think that somehow the plight of the early European immigrants was any more correct or moral or upright than the plight of people who are not trying to kill us off, not trying to steal our land, but merely want a chance to thrive in a wealthy country full of people who took for themselves the opportunity to thrive when they arrived. I mean-seriously, let's bring this down to the most basic kindergarten level for a second- its like stealing a ball from the small kid in class and then being angry when that small kid and others say "hey can we at least play with it along with you?"To sit there and suggest that people, who are looking for a better chance in life, or even just a better job, are a threat is just plain short sighted. Now I know that these people are not necessarily looking to block immigration entirely, least not all of them, but making an effort to block a bill which would allow for amnesty and guest worker programs leads to all sorts other methods of illegal immigration on both sides of the border and the danger in this is not, as some would believe, that illegal immigrants are stealing our jobs and we need to stop that, but that illegal immigrants get taken advantage in ways that are extremely dis-advantageous to them and oftentimes frighteningly risky and unsafe. Creating more imaginary walls will not stop shady businessmen from taking advantage of these people, it will just cause them to go even further underground with their activities and do even more atrocious things to get their workers at lower pay, for no benefits, and with no workmen's safety or job security agreements. These individuals, such as the woman in this particular article, would do well to remember that unless they are from one of the Native American Nations, their ancestors had no more right to jobs and immigrant status here than individuals south of our border have now. Now don't mistake me- the people in this article do not upset me because they are expressing their beliefs and their desires for this country. While I whole heartedly disagree with their beliefs we would be far worse off if they were not allowed freedom of expression and the ability to sway the vote. What angers me about this article is their position itself and their smugness and self righteousness in their belief that they are the torch holders of liberty, freedom, and patriotism. It's as if they believe all those things can be summed up by questionable laws on illegal immigration which amount to no more than large walls and increased numbers of guns at the border. To suggest that they "knew in their heart[s that amnesty] was wrong for this country" is ignorant, oversimplified, and quite likely nothing more than a thin veil for xenophobic attitudes. If the original landholders of this country had held any one of the early European immigrants to the same standards chances are pretty damn good many of us wouldn't be here today. Since when did it become acceptable to behave in this way; ignoring realities and facts, and acting like spoiled children?I just think its absolutely absurd that they would be able to stand behind those issues and keep a straight face, more than that I think its ridiculous that they would do so in any sort of self- righteous manner, touting a flag as their sole credentials. There are certainly significant issues surrounding this topic, but to my awareness they are not the same reason's they are opposing these bills and in fact they don't even come near the real issues around immigration so – yes- once again though we've come to it from very different angles my friend and I have reached a similar conclusion: this woman and her constituents need to just go ahead and remember how they themselves got here and how lucky they are to be here, and unclench their grip on this idea of national identity so that we may continue allowing immigrants do what they've always done: seek the place that will give them, at least partially, what they need.

Communists to the Left of Me, Capitalists to the Right

I used to write poetry until I grew tired of the sound of my own whining voice. Well that's not actually the truth. I didn't whine too much in my poetry it was just too love struck and self reflective. Then I tried this blogging business, but even that's become too self reflective in recent posts. Before I make myself ill I think I'll try out a subject other than myself once again. And not New York either - New York has grown tired and rests pitifully in my bottom drawer waiting for me to have a fresh thought about it. Let's talk politics for a second. I understand most politics and governmental systems on a basic level and on a philosophic level, but when put into practice they tend to get a little frustrating for me and drive me towards a desire to pull my hair out.You see, I've been reading Capitalism in Crisis and other than impressing upon me just how many doctors Cuba has produced, this rambling piece of Castro's conversation with himself and his yes-men has served to make me wonder further about communism in practice. Guevara writes so much more passionately and clearly than Castro and yet it was Castro the people followed, Castro the people allowed into their farms and living rooms to lead them- no matter how much some of them regretted it later. Now before you start accusing me of bending my branches toward the right I've always been relatively left of center and had an idealistic hope that communism will prove itself to the world once and for all. But, honestly- take a look at the examples we have of communism. Russia, Cuba, Venezuela. Apart from the last one the examples are kind of abysmal. I mean-yes Cuba is working in a sense, but Castro made himself president for life effectively removing choice from the people, and Russia- things are so hopelessly corrupt in Russia you can't even get through the airport without spending hundreds of dollars in bribes. Venezuela seems to be moving forward, but I'm almost certain the US will do everything in their power to crush that just as they crushed Guatemala- over and over again until it couldn't stand on its own.Now those of you who know more than me about communism can perhaps explain this to me so that I will again see the light at the end of the tunnel, because seriously I've lost the energy to defend it against my objectivist friends who insist "at least capitalism works and the impoverished under capitalism are far better off than the impoverished under communism or any other style of government". I mean, in many ways I disagree with them, but I'm really getting weary of them throwing actual examples of failed or semi-failed communism in my face. To me communism seems to work best when it is genuinely in the hands of the people, such as in the Paris commune, which- I think- was actually closer to anarchy, or in any number of the small communal businesses/towns that have popped up in various places at various times in history before they were crushed by- well- the capitalist will. So why is it that communism appears, inevitably, to end up in the hands of few and seems to fail the people in so many ways? Why is it that a system with such hope can't seem to get itself to work the way it ought? Seriously, if you have an explanation- send it my way. I'm feeling frustrated with politics these days and I need to hear from someone who still has the energy to defend their beliefs, because I'm losing my idealism and my firmness of footing, and honestly, that's what keeps me keeps me moving when all else is failing me. I guess as it turns out, even I have to be able to keep my faith in something.