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So where do I fit in, exactly?
Neither of my parents were born in the USA, but both became citizens. They insisted "english only" was the rule - i.e. only english was spoken in our home, though they often spoke French privately to one another. (I listened through the door sometimes) My Papa, like most Quebecers, spoke fluent english when they arrived here, my Mama' having only been in Canada for a few years, spoke only some english, but became fluent quickly.
I do wish I had learned more French from them, most of what I know is Cajun French, which is oddly different.
My point is that I am a first generation "Born in the USA" child of immigrants, so I appreciate the issues, but I have to note that so many recent immigrants, (of all types and origins) by contrast, seem to have little interest in becoming citizens or even in learning english!
Why?
I have met many that say they are only here to earn money to send home. That's fine, I guess, but I see lots of them in the hospitals without insurance, some even admit they come illegally for "free health care"
Why are there protests in the streets of Mexico City when California limits access to public hospitals if you are an illegal alien?
Is it like Walmart, who pays so poorly and with such limited benifits that the Medicaid system essentially is supporting/subsidizing Walmart?
We are subsidizing Mexico and Central/South America? India, Pakistan, Africa?

I am not arguing a point of view. I am concerned and confused about these issues. Even as an honest to goodness libertarian- leaning Nurse, I swear I have no idea how to lean on this.

By the way, I have learned from Leigh that one reason so many callers (sales and service calls) speak poor or heavily accented english is because they are in other countries, as so much customer service and sales departments have been "out-sourced". To places like India, I suppose.

(returns to sipping her wine on a lazy, rainy day)

WW