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Highlands Today

Speak English If You Want To Live Here

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Brenda Heigl

Published: May 30, 2008

Illegal immigration is a very hotly debated subject in this county. Most people have very definite ideas on how it should be handled. I would like to know, though, what makes you think that "Racists have grabbed hold of this idea?" I have heard lots of arguments on all sides and have not thought any of them "racist." It has been my experience that the race card is played by those who cannot give a convincing argument on behalf of their opinion so they shout racism!

As for the speaking of a different language in public most of us are of the same opinion. If you are a tourist here for a short time there is no reason for you to learn our language. If you cannot be understood and have a hard time getting around you just have to deal with it, but if you work here and live here and your children go to school here then you should be trying to assimilate into our culture and speaking the language is the first step.

If you do not want to assimilate into this culture then you have no business here and, yes, we have a big problem with you. It is not racist! If you have no interest in swearing allegiance to America then you have no business working or living in America or taking medical care or assistance for yourself and your family.

You say within two generations all Illegals here will speak English. I submit that the ones I see in this county have no interest in learning English and are quite smug about it. The ones at the meeting in July 2006 in Avon Park were very emphatic about it actually. As far back as 1990 "English only" was suggested at Walker Hospital and certain peoples there had a fit. What you speak in your own home is no one's business but in the work place or in public it should be English. If you take our money you should speak our language.

We are in a very deep recession at this time and every job that is still here and has not been out-sourced to another country should be for American citizens, period! No amnesty for anyone just because that person has managed to escape detection for a certain amount of time. If I robbed your house or stole your identity and was caught later you would still want me arrested and prosecuted. It is the same with Illegal Aliens, no matter where they are from! Europe, Asia, Africa or South America-Cuba/Mexico. What part of illegal is not understood?

If illegals want to be forgiven for stealing into this country then go to your nearest Army recruiting office and volunteer for the service. If you get back here and still want to become a citizen I will be glad to accept you as one. If real citizens have to go to war for this country then the illegals should have to also! Your service to this country would allow you and your spouse and your children citizenship only. Not Momma, Daddy, sister, brother, Gramps-Grammy or great-aunt Whoever! I have two words for anyone wanting amnesty — Ellis Island.

That is how all of the forefathers and mothers and uncle and aunts came here legally. That is the only solution that real citizens will tolerate of this illegal behavior. This is not racist, this is the way it is.

Brenda Heigl lives in Avon Park.

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