An irresponsible policy on immigration
To the editor:
Now that I have heard through the media from some of the organizers of the local May Day Parade for Immigration Reform, I have a better picture of where they are coming from -- and I think it is Oz.
My main question has always been why illegals don't go through the process of applying for legal entrance to the United States since we have one of the most lenient sets of laws on the subject in the world. But, according to these organizers, the illegals lack the funds to file papers. Yet many of them can send half of their paychecks back to their homeland relatives. And many of these immigrants, according to these same organizers, can't read the applications or write the answers required even though the applications and answers are available in foreign languages and translations.
So let me get this straight. We are supposed to grant citizenship status to people who have no visible means of support and possibly can't read or write.
What other country in the world allows this standard to applicants entering their country? I realize the Statue of Liberty says "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free ..." but we had standards even when that was our policy in an attempt to fill the agricultural and industrial work pool to fuel our development as a nation. That is what Ellis Island was all about, as a check-in point for foreigners arriving.
It still sounds to me like a lot of laziness and an irresponsible policy for retaining a vital nation. But then I guess thinking in terms of nationhood (or statehood) is so yesterday, anymore.
KENT RISCHLING
LAS VEGAS
Work to rule
To the editor:
I am a teacher with the Clark County School District. Morale at my school is incredibly low due to the proposed 4 percent pay cuts. We teachers are feeling helpless -- we can't strike and we don't trust the union to defend us.
Many teachers I know do not even belong to the Clark County Education Association because they think it's ineffective. In this time, union or not, teachers need to organize. It is true that Nevada law prohibits us from striking, but we do have other options.
One possibility is "working to rule," where we show up only for our contracted time, and drop everything when that time is up. By working only during the obligated hours, and letting unfinished work pile up, we can finally show people just how much of our own time (and money) teachers regularly contribute to this profession. Parents, the school district, and legislators alike will understand that our paycheck is not where a cut should come from -- we aren't compensated for all our time as it is.
If you are a fellow teacher, I urge, beg and implore you to research "Work to Rule," and discuss it with your coworkers. Las Vegas teachers have been silent for too long. Let's stand in solidarity and defend ourselves at long last.
Jasmin Churchill
LAS VEGAS
