ILLEGAL DEMANDS

"A lot of Americans can't get their head around the concept of illegal immigrants demanding civil rights from a country whose laws they've broken. After all, these are people who have chosen to live outside our system. And now they want to come inside, but only to ask for this and demand that, without admitting they did wrong or acknowledging their responsibility to make it right."

- Columnist Ruben Navarrette

Americans, by nature, are a friendly, open-armed, law-abiding, honest lot who may not agree with all the rules and regulations imposed on us by government, but we mostly obey them. Being law-abiding and honest, we find it difficult to understand why we should first, accept into our communities people who have broken the law, not just by speeding or running a traffic light, but have crossed our borders with no documentation and without invitation, take jobs away from citizens, take advantage of our welfare system and our Social Security system and then expect us to welcome them with open arms when they are either exposed or choose to expose themselves as Federal criminals.

We see it as someone who has broken into our house, set up housekeeping, bring all their relatives in and demand that we feed, clothe, and continue to house them at our expense. Okay, they offer in exchange housekeeping and lawn services among others, but what if I don't want or need a housekeeper or maid, or lawn service? They say that since they are living in my house, I have to accept their services and pay them for it. But, I didn't invite them in, I say. It makes no difference, we're here and you're going to accept us and make us a part of your family.

Americans are also generous to a fault by nature. If there is a natural disaster somewhere in the world, we're there with food, money, medical care, people - you name it, we'll provide it. Americans hear that children in Somalia need food? We send it. North Koreans are starving under the dictatorship of Kim Il-Jung? We try to get food to them even if it means giving into blackmail by said Kim. Myanmar has a cyclone killing thousands but the military government is reluctant to allow foreign countries in? We consider air-dropping food and supplies in - bypassing the government because we know food and supplies are desperately needed. China has an earthquake? We're sending food and supplies almost before the last tremor stops.

And it's not only the government giving aid. When Americans know the need is there, we send private donations for food and supplies - whatever is needed - as well as people donating their personal time - taking time away from their jobs and family to help. Sometimes that time is given by their companies, but more often than not, Americans will use personal time, vacation time, to help others in need.

Don't ever tell me Americans don't care about anyone else. You show us a need and we're there. We offer help whenever and wherever needed. But...don't come here illegally and demand rights from us. You're overstepping your role as a "guest" and we withdraw our hospitality.

Because the problem lies primarily at the US-Mexican border, I consider all illegals to be Mexican. Before anyone jumps down my throat, this is just a very broad category to put all illegals in. I know that not all Mexicans are illegal - and not all illegals are Mexican. But, the vast majority are Mexican, hence the categorization.

As I understand it, it's difficult to get permission from Mexico to enter the US - especially if you're poor. It's the poor of Mexico who need to improve their situation to maybe even survive. Mexico is a very wealthy country in resources. Seems to me that the problem lies with the government - and the rest of the citizenry needs to take control of the government so that there is aid for the poor and a way for the poor to work their way up and out of poverty. If you can't come legally for some reason - then work to change your country. Change your government, your leaders, your laws. It can be done - we did it in 1776.

I understand why Mexicans (and the poor of any nation) comes to the US. They see the US as the "land of milk and honey" and where their opportunity to survive and to thrive. Mexican parents want the best for their kids so they come here to raise their families. Mexicans come here to earn a living so they can send money back to their family in Mexico so they can just survive. I get it; I really do get it.

We will welcome you with open arms. We'll give it willingly from the bottom of our hearts. Just don't demand it - that's when we dig our heels in and say "not just no, but hell, no!" We don't like to be taken advantage of. Don't demand rights you have no entitlement to.

As Americans we don't ask much. Obey our laws, work hard, contribute to the community and we'll get along just fine. I don't think it's too much to ask.