Monday, September 21, 2009

Proud to be American

Dear Editor [Woodside Herald],

Everyone is quite eager to voice his or her opinion during these very trying days; it has become the norm. I suppose that makes me normal because I’m about to do the same; however, I’m not going to compliment or condemn the President, nor I am going to compliment or condemn the Democrats or Republicans.

My parents were immigrants who came to America thru Ellis Island and through the process of what was legal immigration. Both my parents instilled in me great pride in being an American because they were so proud of the United States; the stars and stripes could always be found flying in front of our home with respect and dignity. When my mom and pop went for a walk if mom saw a piece of paper on the ground she would actually pick it up and save it for the trash because her Country should be kept clean. Of course, we thought she was crazy at the time. Likewise she would sweep the sidewalk and street in front of our home. My pop learned English first since he was here first and then mom learned to speak English when she arrived. She always spoke broken English, but was so proud when she learned new words. Both my parents worked hard and my mom always worked double shifts; but she would come home between shifts because we had to sit at the table and eat together. Yes, they suffered through all the hard times of the past, but it never dampened their spirit and they never blamed it on their beautiful America. When the words “Ask not what your Country can do for you, but what you can do for your Country” were spoken my parents were ecstatic and it didn’t matter what the political affiliation was. The fact that everyone was being called to take pride in America, to make a contribution in whatever way you could, for people to want government to be just that, representation of the wishes of the people and not Big Brother dictating what they perceive is best for us without even consulting us or ignoring us altogether, made them glow.

Well, I’m looking for this America of my childhood, of my adolescence, and young adult life. It seems with each passing day it becomes more and more non-existent. Of late, I’ve seen people throw trash outside car windows, cleaning out ashtrays and dumping the cigarette butts in the street and even throwing garbage out of apartment windows. I’ve seen undocumented (illegal) aliens gather on street corners looking for work; some are picked up and paid with both the employer and employee not paying any taxes and my taxes keep increasing, I’ve seen deterioration of what once were fine neighborhoods because of indifference and the attitude that someone else should do it. I’ve seen metal detectors in schools and parents saying their children are the teacher’s responsibility during school hours and the parents should not be bothered or their child is always right. I’ve been told time and time again to press one if I want to speak English, it doesn’t matter that I live in America. I’ve heard it said that the best way to scam the system is to put everything in someone else’s name and then file for all kinds of assistance; which means dishonesty is quite prevalent not only in large Ponzi schemes, in large corporations, in City, State and Federal government, but right on down to the individual American and this scares me more that anything else. If everyone has their hands in the till; how can we survive? If companies that are being helped by taxpayer monies continue to pay bonuses to the very people that destroyed the company in the first place, we have bigger problems than we can ever imagine. If our government continues to print new money without taking old money out of circulation how long before the dollar becomes completely worthless? No need to worry about 401Ks or home mortgages then. The big issue now is a Government controlled Health Pan which doesn’t seem too popular with the public, yet back door deals are being made to get enough votes to push it through. It isn’t any wonder that the public is skeptical with the way Medicare and Medicaid are run; these too are Government controlled health programs. Perhaps the leaders in our Government should direct their focus on getting Medicare and Medicaid on track before establishing a new program, which the record proves will be destined for the same end.

You see, I’m just looking; looking for honesty, integrity, common sense, a moral code of ethics, pride in America and in being American. I’m looking for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to be upheld. I’m looking for truth in government and abolishment of the political game. I’m looking for the America of my childhood, my adolescence, my young adult life.

Sincerely,

A long time Sunnyside Resident

32 comments:

PizzaBagel said...

That was as sensible and knowledgeable a voice all around as you'll hear on so many of the hot-button issues affecting America these days. I second that emotion!

Anonymous said...

That was a wonderful editorial, but... health care needs to be fixed, partisan politics are destroying our democratic system, everyone has their hand in the pocket of the taxpayer and yes,people litter far too much.
Maybe it can be changed. Maybe one person at a time can do the right thing. Maybe our politicians will make decisions based on the "public good".
Do unto others, pay it forward, one good deed deserves another.

I'm not holding my breath, but you never know...

Anonymous said...

I believe his point was, ever since January 20, 2009, when the new President was sworn in, the country has gone straight to hell.

I am glad that he is scared. I would have respected the writer more if he had written about how he is working through his issues dealing with race in an America for all the people.

Anonymous said...

It seems that you were rose colored glasses with respect to your childhood. Somerset Maughm, in the opening paragraph in "Of Human Bondage" speaks about how fine everything looks through the fog of time and memory. Live in the present not the hazly past.

Another Sunnyside Resident said...

As a life long Queens resident and current Sunnyside resident as well I'd like to ask you if I could borrow your rose colored glasses so I can remember the past as you do.

As far back as I can remember, which is quite long, people have been tossing trash out onto the streets here. They even joked about it in that Eddie Murphy movie Coming to America which came out in the early 80's. "The land so free people can just leave their trash on the streets!" or something to that effect.

While I'm glad you're parents managed to come over legally my grandparent certainly did not. He came over from Italy "With Out Pass." I think we all know the racial slur that developed out of that. Italians faced as much bigotry as the Latino's do right now as cultural usurpers, rapists and murderers. Look at the "trial" of Sacco and Vansetti if you are curious about some of the effects of the anti-Italian sentiment of the time. All this considered, you would be hard pressed to find someone that considers New Yorkers of Italian descent as non Americans.

To think that "most" American's do not want some kind of health care reform is more ignorance. Poll after poll of people seem exhibit majority support in the general population. Its only the very vocal minority you are watching on Fox news. (As a real quick side note I hope its not news to you that "the news" on all network is lies and filler to make you watch advertisements) In a quick informal poll I conducted at where I work shows me that even the most conservative among us would like to see some regulation of the insurance industry to prevent discrimination based on prior conditions. And frankly as someone who is involved with the health care system it is obvious that we will be unable to maintain the system we have now in any way in the near future and people like you want to leave it alone.

Look at the hospital closures in Queens for example. The gaping hole in the budgets of some of these hospitals came from the soaring cost of providing ER service that was unpaid. The thing is here is that if some of these people had access to preventative care and a local doctor they would have never had to go to the ER in the first place and just maybe 2 major hospitals in the area would still be open. Anyway the health care plan is still up for debate and I am not totally happy with the legislation at the time but the most important thing here is that we maintain CIVIL DISCOURSE. Vitriol will not help us in any way.

I think the most important point I am trying to make though is that the past wasn't so great and trying to make things like "the way they were" will never work. It is simply impossible. We need to work together to make things better in the future even in the face of such lunacy as what is going on in NY politics right now.

Anonymous said...

"I would have respected the writer more if he had written about how he is working through his issues dealing with race in an America for all the people."

No, the letter was a complaint letter. That's what most letters to the editor are. No one writes and explains how they "deal" with things.

As for illegal aliens not having access to health care, please cut the crap. There are plenty of free clinics and many doctors take cash and none has ever asked my immigration status. They choose to use the ER. They should be turned away.

And yes, the past WAS great. That really is the point of this blog. Queens didn't look like a third world shithole when I was a kid, there was open space, the streets were relatively clean compared to today and people who lived here worked to make sure it stayed that way.

Tweeding changed that. And when you have a wave of immigrants who come here only to make as much money as they can and then head back home, still calling wherever they came from "my country" years after they first set foot here, then you have nothing more than a bunch of temporary communities that don't give a damn about America. Many of the immigrants of today come from countries where cleanliness is not even a consideration, so I suppose we shouldn't be surprised when they come here and trash the place. To say this generation of immigrants is just like past generations is really an insult to our intelligence and feel-good gobbeldy-gook. Germans didn't come here and trash the parks, leaving their litter behind. Ridgewood was a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood when they lived here. Go to Grover Cleveland Park one weekend and see how much life has changed.

Anonymous said...

I forget the stat, but about 30 years ago, something like 75% of Queens was live-in owners whose family owned the home for generations. That isn't the case anymore and it certainly shows.

Anonymous said...

"As far back as I can remember, which is quite long, people have been tossing trash out onto the streets here. They even joked about it in that Eddie Murphy movie Coming to America which came out in the early 80's. "The land so free people can just leave their trash on the streets!" or something to that effect."

Yeah, that was during the 1980s when the city was bankrupt and not providing simple services like sanitation at adequate levels.

There is no excuse for it now except that there are too many people living here and many are pigs.

Anonymous said...

All I need is my "second amendment" and I don't give a fuck about anything else.

Anonymous said...

I am pro-immigration and feel this country needs to stop harassing immigrants (both legal and illegal)and just take simple steps that can curb illegals and will stop their desire to come here:

- No benefits at all for illegals except for their children, children should not be hurt for dumb parents. Welfare, medicaid, etc. will be toast

- Jobs must require all employees have social security numbers and submit to the government monthly all new hires and their SS#'s. If you hire an illegal you face stiff fines and penalties such as possible jail time

- Path to citizen ship: enlist in the military (only during war-time) to prove your allegiance.

Eliminate the jobs and benefits like they do in Europe and immigration isn't a problem.

mazeartist said...

And I'm looking for a name. Seriously, if you're going to draft such a long manifesto, don't be shy about your identity.

Anonymous said...

Overcrowding is a major cause of filth, crime and disease

Anonymous said...

That should apply to Another Sunnyside Resident as well.

Hey, they're real clean in Egypt

Belatedly, Egypt Spots Flaws in Wiping Out Pigs

Anonymous said...

I'm sick of hearing this. Do you really think that illegal immigrants are the cause of the nation's problems? Hardly.
Did they cause Wall Street to meltdown. No.
Did the Hispanics in Sunnyside cause the terrorist attacks? No.
In fact many of our soldiers are hispanics. So shut the hell up.

Anonymous said...

No one said they were THE problem. But they certainly are a part of it. They cause crime, filth and hospitals to go bankrupt. Stick that in your peace pipe and smoke it.

Anonymous said...

Blame the government for the sorry state of the US. We are a nation of laws and we elect people to uphold these laws and represent us. However, politics has become a very lucrative commodity and instead of representing the people, they only care about themselves and how much money they can make in their political careers. The more people that come here, the higher the amount of Federal Dollars to each state, so there is more money to make deals and pay each other off. I encourage legal immigration. People before us came here the legal way and learned about our country and embraced our language. Our government encourages illegals to come here and even aids and abets them by printing government documents in all foreign languages at taxpayer expense. There is no pride in America because the newcomers don't want to assimilate. They are here to make money to send home to their country and don't really care about our laws or traditions. Until our government enforces and upholds the laws of the United States and secures our borders, you will not recognize America in another 10 years. Immigrants are welcome, but only if they come legally, assimilate and treat this country like it is their own.

Anonymous said...

Tweeding lesson #10:

When someone starts complaining about unchecked immigration and the problems it causes, steer the conversation into foreign wars or Wall Street matters.

Anonymous said...

I'd take this a lot more seriously if that Proud To Be An American logo wasn't lifted off the Hannity show. lol

Anonymous said...

Thank you. the illegal alien invasion is meant to destroy our neighborhood & communities. Garbage and trash are thrown into the street, dropped where ever they go to create more 3rd world conditions. that way the illegals & their endless children, old people can feel more comfortable in a hostile environment. Yes this environment is so very hostile. we give illegal aliens health care, food stamps, wic, section 8,everything that if you are an American citizen you will be put through hell to get. but no, if you are an illegal alien it will be handed to you.

It is part of the invasion to destroy America. then you will be told to stop complaining and just see how diverse all the trash in the street is.

If 50 black Americans stood on a street corner to grab jobs from union members, the riot squad would be called out. Why are Mexicans & South Americans not only allowed to but encourage to break the law? is it because they have the slave mentality or is it because they are being used to destroy any rights Women & Blacks have worked so hard for?

The illegal alien invasion is meant to divide and conquer. Those people who today support illegal aliens, wait until they take over your job and your apartment. You will be seeing things the way I do now.
deport them all.

Anonymous said...

As a matter of fact, I find NYC tidier and safer than what it used to be...
Some parts haven't been gentrified, but NYC has been improved...
Do you find NYC dirty?
Go to Italy: italian cities are BY FAR dirty...

Queens Crapper said...

The major thoroughfares of NYC (outside of Manhattan) are MUCH dirtier than they were before Mike Bloomberg took office.

Anyone can tell you that. Compare NYC now to NYC then, not to a foreign country.

Anonymous said...

Put the weight of enough illegal immigrants on one side of the balance scale and up shoots the other end...toppling hard working, tax paying legal citizens onto the ground.

WE ARE ALL GETTING A HUGE TAX BITE TO GIVE ILLEGALS THE FREEBIES THAT MOST OF US CAN'T AFFORD!

Anonymous said...

I believe his point was, ever since January 20, 2009, when the new President was sworn in, the country has gone straight to hell.

What??

If you really believe that and cant understand any accountability that the last president and vice president had for spending recklessly all over the board, and giving a free pass to their energy creator friends at Enron that you are seriously delusional.

Please tell me the deficit debt left to Obama when he came into office?
That doesnt matter I suppose because the previous president did not let any illegal immigrants in?

Anonymous said...

I am a native NYer born in the 60s and raised in the 70s and 80s and I can tell you it is no filthier now than it was back in the "Golden Days." In fact, in the 70s I remember many people relieving themselves against cars and using backyards as dumpsters -- no different than today.

Anonymous said...

How about in 2000 before Mike Bloomberg?

Anonymous said...

Looks like we have taken a step backward instead of forward with Bloomturd.

Anonymous said...

"Yes this environment is so very hostile. we give illegal aliens health care, food stamps, wic, section 8,everything that if you are an American citizen you will be put through hell to get. but no, if you are an illegal alien it will be handed to you."

Illegal immigrants are ineligible for food stamps (http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm#immigrant) and Section 8 housing assistance (http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/guidebooks/7420.10G/7420g05GUID.pdf), and are only eligible for Medicaid in a few instances (pregnancy and emergency medical situations). Get your facts straight, smarty!

Anonymous said...

"and are only eligible for Medicaid in a few instances (pregnancy and emergency medical situations)"

Which benefits them tremendously since they are pregnant all the time and use the ER like a private doctor's office.

Also let's remember that Obama's illegal alien aunt was living in public housing...

Anonymous said...

Listen to the song "The way it used to be" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.Same sentiment as our writer...........

Anonymous said...

For all of the anti American put downs I'm reading....I don't see any of her critics hopping a quick jet back to the countries they came from.

I guess things must be better here than in your old counties...eh?

AMERICA....LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!

And I'll spring for your plane ticket (coach) back home.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry I grew up in Queens in the 70's and 80's, most of Queens is much cleaner and safer now. It can still be a LOT better but please lets not glorify the old days.

And lets not blame the immigrants lets blame the bikers

Queens Crapper said...

The question is whether Queens is cleaner and safer than before Bloomberg took over.

The answer is no (despite his phony stats).