What Would Buddha Think?
Many Hispanic people are coming to this country illegally. Hispanic immigrants have a reputation as being hard working people. They work in construction sites, local restaurants, and also work in upper middle class homes. They have varied occupational jobs such as cooks, maids, landscaping, and nannies. Many average American citizens do not want to do these types of jobs. Because there has been so much controversy surrounding these immigrant people and their place in American society, and because of our government’s concern about terrorism, our government had started to round up employees from McDonalds restaurants and arrested them. Many of them have lived here for many years and started families. These hardworking classes of people have contributed to our great country. Last week law enforcement went to several different McDonalds restaurants and apprehended these foreign born workers. Their homes have been broken into over night. Not all immigrants are terrorist for sure or criminals! Buddhism teaches us that people must find their own enlightenment by helping themselves. In my opinion, these people are showing self-discipline, by leaving their country. They made huge sacrifices leaving their own families behind. When they work at these jobs they are demonstrating self-discipline. These people should be well respected. I believe they are leading a type of life that Buddha would admire and respect! Buddha speaks of people exercise this self-discipline as becoming saints. The advocates are people who help these people. They might also be considered saints, such as social workers, Hispanic organizations, politicians, church leaders, and organizations. Gov. Eliot Spizter has proposed a bill to give the people driver’s licenses and better health insurance for their children. “Spizter decries ‘Hysterical rhetoric’ over immigrants” (The Journal News 3 Oct 2007). Assemblyman Greg Ball, Republican from Carmel says, “He is extending a huge loophole which is a national-security nightmare,” (The Journal News 3 Oct 2007). Spizter has New York seeking a lawsuit with seven other states to force the Bush administration to allow better health insurance programs. This is not about socialism it is about helping more children. Buddha would consider Eliot Spizter as a modern day saint. This would be a partial solution to this immigrant controversy. Immigrants would have a better standard of living in our country. Everyone at one time was an immigrant, whether it would be our parents or grandparents. Do you think that Buddha would approve of this practice? Please post your comments.
Article: http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710030355
Cartoon Article: http://davies.lohudblogs.com/files/2007/10/davies100307.jpg
Chris Thoma
Relg109DFB
Wednesday 6:15pm to 9:05pm
Professor Susan De George
Fall 2007
4 comments:
Chris I totally i aggre with you that this is wrong. Like you posted on your article not all immigrants are terrorists. They came here to provide a better life for themselves and their families. I can speak for myself. Me and my family are all from Brazil. We migrated to the states in 1990. We had visas when we came here but once it expired we were considered illegal aliens. We got our resident alien cards in 1995 from a lottery and are now all citizens of the US. I'm grateful for the country we have. The freedoms that we have. Buddha i think would have approve of what Spizter is doing, he is taking compassion towars the immigrant population. Trying to provide a better way of life for them. He would be disappointed with Assemblyman Greg ball because he is putting all immigrants in the same category.
Hello, Marcos.
This is a Great personal story.
You and your family are truly living the "American Dream". All immigrants should experience the feeling of freedom. Thank you for your response.
Sincerely,
Chris
It is a shame that some Americans forget that they are decedents of immigrants. We all came here from someplace else. All immigrants are a positive influence on our society. No immigrants are terrorists. They are hard working and deserve respect.
Hello, Rich.
Thanks for your positive reply.
I appreciate your candid comment.
Sincerely,
Chris
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