Dominant frames? Wow. A Snapshot of Public Opinion – One Day of Letters Selected Letters to the Editor
The Clarion Ledger Jackson, Mississippi Sunday, May 28, 2006
- Reform welfare prior to immigration reform I am in favor of the proposal to legalize longtime illegal immigrants for one reason and one reason only: The deportation of all illegal immigrants would be a severe economic blow to our country. Many of our dirty, labor-intensive jobs are currently filled by illegal immigrants because the indigent in our country consider themselves to be too good for that kind of dirty work. One argument is that they work at jobs which could be filled by American citizens. The problem with that argument is that the American citizens can make more money on welfare than they can by taking a minimum-wage job. Before we can effectively deport the illegal citizens, we must first tackle welfare reform. People who are physically and mentally capable should be forced to work for a living rather than sit home and draw welfare. Until that is done, we need our illegal immigrants to do the dirty jobs no one else will accept…. Welfare and other sources of governmental financial aid should not be considered a way of life for those who are able to work. I’m a firm believer in people working hard to make something of themselves. It gives them a sense of integrity and self-esteem rather than sitting back and taking handouts. I had no education paid for by others, nor did I have strong family support, but I worked hard and managed to have a family, a career and to get an education. It can be done. Brenda Carson Jackson
- Immigration bill will hurt working Americans This administration has taken its disrespect for the poor and lower-middle income population of this country to a new low…. When this law is passed, millions of native-born Americans will have the rug pulled from under their feet. The social evils and injustice will increase because we have lost the sense of respect and fair play for our fellow Americans. It is impossible to live a good life working for minimum wages. Let this law pass and a type of guerrilla economic welfare will begin pitting each side against each other, fighting for scraps just to make a living. Sen. Hillary Clinton was right: This administration wants to run things like a plantation. Johnny Mason Jackson
- Welcome working immigrants, end welfare Who would like to see our economy improve 100 percent, and the quality of goods and services improve equally? Then open our border with Mexico. Welcome those who come to work. Issue permits and Social Security cards to stop the yearly loss of billions of dollars in tax revenue. Give to these wonderful, intelligent, hard-working people the same rights and privileges enjoyed by U.S. citizens. Cut off the welfare, free housing and food stamps to those too lazy to work. Let them stay in school, receive their free education and compete for jobs or starve. Each of us makes choices…. The “free ride” needs to end yesterday. To all immigrants, both documented and undocumented: I am one of many who welcome you. I only hope that millions more will cross the border each year. I am also one of the many who will aid and support you in every way possible. Thank you for making our life better and for setting an example that we all should follow: a positive work ethic. F.B. Goldman Jackson
- True’marches‘ will lead out of poverty Thelma Sims-Dukes wrote that black people are, indeed, appalled at senseless violence in their communities (“Blacks appalled at senseless violence,” May 14). She wrote that they believe that job opportunities paying livable wages would relieve the stress, declining morals and pathological behaviors. She says they “have to endure” poverty and unemployment. No, they don’t! Complete integration of schools occurred approximately 40 years ago. That means two generations of students using grades 1-12 have had access to the same public schools and teachers. Add to that affirmative action for getting into colleges and obtaining employment, and minorities have a bonus. Ms. Sims-Dukes writes that blacks wish that marches would end their problems, but have no faith in marches. I can recommend several marches that will solve the problems. Certain white people and other races should join the following marches: The mother or father of any school-age children should march them to school every day until they receive a high school diploma. After high school, every graduate should march himself or herself to either college, trade school, or to a full-time job. While attending school, every 16 year old should march himself or herself to a part-time job…. Every child should march himself or herself away from anyone who wants to participate in creating babies. Every adult should march himself or herself to the altar and then create an independent home before making babies. They should then financially support their children, and not expect taxpayers to support them. All adults and children should march away from anyone using or selling drugs, or committing even minor crimes. Those who do not get good leadership at home should march to church. All these marches will build self esteem and hope, and result in success. They will also eliminate that monthly march to the welfare department. Everyone can then march out of the ghetto – or clean it up for the elderly who must live out their lives there. M.B. Thornton Pearl