Start Over Like the Founding Fathers Wanted

Thomas Jefferson wrote on November 13, 1787 in a letter to William S. Smith the following:

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed...what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance?"

So, let's take this statement at its word and in my view, "start over" with our government. Let's take hold of our country from our supposed leaders and vote them ALL out. Yep, every mayor, city council, county supervisor, governor, state legislature, US congress and US senate, AND president. All of them - now - out - goodbye - see you later - good riddance. In this sense I want Obama to win: he is newer than the other guy.

Yeah, I know this sounds silly, to vote everyone out, but that's my emotions speaking! It would take a populace that is fed-up, angry, frustrated, nervous, scared, ... HEY, that's us right NOW!!!

So, I hereby officially start the "Let's Start Again" campaign. Vote every incumbent out! Let the people rise up! We want out country back! Strike out every law that was passed in the last 20 years! Every entitlement program! Every earmark! Every dollar that was spent negligently! Out with all of them!

VOTE for Obama/Palin !!! Yes, Obama/Palin.

Anyway, I can dream can't I... ?

EARTHQUAKE

We just had an earthquake in the Pasadena area about 11:30AM. It was a rolling-circling movement. Quite strong, strongest I remember since the 1994 quake. It lasted maybe 30 seconds. I was in my office when i felt the rolling movement. For a second I panicked and went to go under the desk. Some pictures fell on the floor. I had the instinct to run outside, but I relaxed for a minute and all was fine.

I've been trying to call my wife and daughter but can't get through either the cell or land line. I understand it was a 5.8 centered around Chino Hills which is about 40 miles east of Los Angeles. No damage here in my area, but WE JUST BOUGHT A HOUSE!!! I am leaving to see how it survived. I don't expect to see much damage if at all...

Barack Obama and Mexican American Voting Trends

I've been reading a lot regarding the voting trends of Mexican Americans towards whites and blacks. There is a lot of statistical data that says Mexican Americans will not vote for blacks. The causes range from racism to the black-brown struggle for power in local politics. I've spoken about racism towards blacks as I saw things growing up in a previous post.

I think the main reason has to do with a certain deference by Mexicans towards whites. I know this sounds contradictory given that Mexicans (in Mexico) have a negative and imperialistic view of the US, and that in Mexico, whites are seen as spoiled and naive - easy targets to be taken advantage of (sorry for the grammar!) So given that Hillary Clinton is white and a US senator (a double symbol of authority) it's easy for me to see why Mexican Americans mostly vote for Clinton. I remember as a child my mother taking me with her when we were getting our green cards. When my mother would talk to a white person, her attitude changed to one that is hard for me to describe - almost fear but not quite, something like reverence but not quite. I call it deference. She passed that on to me in some way. I remember my first days in the US, even though I spoke fluent English and therefore the language barrier did not exist for me, I still had that sense of deference and almost fear when I had to speak to a white adult.

Anyway this is all anecdotal, but I sense that this deference is real and may well be the proverbial "elephant in the room."

Mexicans and Racism

These are some words I wrote in response to this article having to do with why Hispanics won't vote for Barack Obama and whether racism is rampant among Hispanics: Will Hispanics vote for black_people

"these comments are strictly anecdotal so caveat...

i grew up in mexico. my brother's best friend was asian. one of my best friends was black, the other asian. i remember reading "memin pinguin" comics; we all read these comics. the main character is a stereotypical caricature of a black kid with dark skin and big lips. ALL the characters were caricatures: memin's best friend was the stereotypical caricature of a really fat kid. i guess i have to remember that they were in fact cartoons after all. the only story line i remember from those comics has to do with memin going to texas with his friends but having to leave due to the racial bigotry he experienced. that was the first time i came across the term "racism." i remember feeling weird about texas and thinking why would the u.s. do that to a black kid. i remember thinking that the texans depicted in the story looked all much different than all the other characters - i'm not sure why. i don't know the statistics on race relations in mexico, all i know is what i saw in my city, neighborhood, and family.

the most revered religious image in mexico, even more beloved than jesus himself i would argue, is that of the "virgen de guadalupe" also known as the "virgen morenita" (the dark-skinned virgin). the most revered president in mexico is benito juarez, i always thought he was black. he was an in fact an indigenous native with very dark skin. i remember two other presidents who i think were part african: vicente guerrero and juan alvarez. vicente guerrero i'm pretty sure fought alongside hidalgo and jose maria morelos (another revered figure who i think was also black).

our favorite aunt had very dark skin. to this day i wonder if there i have some african lineage in my geneology.

i'm not a mexican apologist - i just started to write some thoughts i remember having to do with other races when i was growing up - hope it adds to the dialogue."

More on Illegal Immigration

Today is "Super Tuesday." I don't know who to vote for. I am angry and I feel somehow tricked. The Democrats are basically socialists, and the Republicans are now the "spend it all" party.

I did hear again the other day that it's the government's fault that we have an immigration problem. I am so tired of hearing that; it's not the "government's" fault. I mean who hires illegals? Who hires them to be babysitters, housemaids, hotel workers, gardeners, construction workers, bus boys, etc.?

America knows where the illegals work and live. Yet they, we, continue to eat at those restaurants, stay at those hotels, have them look after our children, have them build our houses. We want them here, don't kid yourself. So I have decided I do not want a wall built, or any kind of deportation, or actions against people here illegally. I will vote against any candidate that calls for these measures.

If America really wants to curtail illegal immigration, America will take some course of action itself, and not just talk about it.

English and the Salvation Army

I read the news today, oh boy...

sorry! couldn't help myself. But seriously, I heard on the news this morning that the Salvation Army is being sued by the feds because they fired some people that didn't speak English. The charge has to do with discrimination.

I don't get this. What's wrong with an employer wanting employees to speak English. I mean we ARE in America, right? Where the language of business is English. Methinks the feds have too much power.

And by the way, what's wrong with discrimination? All of us discriminate every day! I mean we choose one thing over another, or choose to socialize with some people over others. Think about it. It's true.

Jobs and Free Stuff

Seems like I'm writing a lot about illegal immigration..
I heard on the O'Reilly show last week that the government is to blame for allowing illegal immigrants to cross the border. I beg to differ, people cross the border illegally because America gives them jobs and free stuff.