One of the reasons we put out the DREAM Deferred video was to promote dialogue about immigration and the DREAM Act, in particular. Well, we got a LOT of email responses. Of course, rather than start a conversation with us, we’d prefer that you blog about it. You’ll reach WAY more people by blogging.
We separated the responses into three categories: Positive, Negative-Unconstructive, and Negative-Constructive.
In general, Positive comments praised the video and our bold stance, recognizing the risk we were taking and how little intelligent commentary there has been on this issue.
Negative-Unconstructive comments generally told us we were treasonous, insane morons, or anti-American jerks, often in CAPITALS! That we did not understand what was going on, and that we were a symptom of all that is wrong with America. For the record, we don’t mind people who disagree with us, but we’d prefer you make an intelligent argument.
Negative-Constructive comments generally told us that while they appreciated our point of view this effort was mis-guided. They pointed out the many problems we are currently facing and how education for undocumented immigrants should come last. Others said this was bad timing, that passing the DREAM Act before any sort of comprehensive immigration reform would only increase the flow of people over the border. Others noted how difficult it currently is for American citizens to get into college, how limited the space is, and that there is no need to exacerbate this. A very small number critiqued us for endorsing a program that would funnel immigrants into the military.
I’m sure you’d like to read some responses verbatim, so i've included them after the flip:
Positive:
Great Issue Robert...it effects 1/3 of green dot grads...Obama is the only
candidate for President that supported Gil Cedillo's State Dream Act,
Clinton did not.
*
Thanks! Not only are the dreams (of immigrants, blacks, the poor, the sick, the tired) deferred in our crumbling pubic schools, nor do they only explode. They also never become what Hughes perceived as "The dream that dreamers dreamed [by which] America never has been yet and yet must be the land where [everone] is free -- The land that's mine: the poor man's, [black} man's, Indian's ME! Who made America! Whose sweat & blood, whose faith & pain, whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain -- Must bring back our mighty dream AGAIN! (Langston Hughes, "Let America Be America Again", concluding lines).
ONWARD!
Negative-Unconstructive:
As far as I am concerned......EVERYONE SHOULD be DOCUMENTED!!! What a STUPID
remark to make on your part!!! You don't seem to give a shit WHO comes
into this country!!! I am DONE WITH YOUR WEBSITE!!!! Keep letting
"terrorists" and "others" coming into this country!!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH
YOU???? AND I AM A DEMOCRAT!!!!!!
*
What part of illegal don't you understand?
Negative-Constructive:
I appreciate that you want to help children.
I respectfully ask that you start with the legal ones. Health care is America is out of control, urban schools are seriously neglected, and there is still an industrial pollution issue in many urban areas that effect children and the aged in very concerning ways. Millions of legal American children do not have insurance. Will you be their advocate as well?
As for helping the economy, there are a slew of issues you can address first before this very controversial one. The war in Iraq must end today! What could all the money spent on that have gone? A million good places. How about American job creation? A major transportation repair bill, which has proven badly needed, could created thousands of jobs. What about a major urban school repair bill? Or funding for eco-industries? These and other ideas like them address needed causes while creating jobs.
What about this countries ridiculous prison population? Or oil subsidies and other corporate welfare? Would not reducing these also help America economically?
Let's be candid here. I live in the Great Lakes Midwest. You want to talk about a Dream Deferred? We are bearing the burden for the rest of the entire country. We have job loss and decay. The rest of America is growing at our expense. I got laid off in January and I helped my company set sales records. I have children to support --- legal ones. And you want me to help some squatters who refuse to even speak English? No dice, my friend.
Whatever America may owe these people, I have nothing left to give. In fact, some of us may feel like kicking some ass out there. Document that.
When we start getting ours in OUR country, then we will talk about charity to these illegals.
Not until then.
*
My grandfather immigrated to this country, learned the new language, became educated, and, to his everlasting pride, became an American. He learned English well and would not tolerate my errors in grammar. Illegal immigration was with us even then and I learned his views on it before he died. This country, he would say, is too important and the blessings are too great to tolerate theft. He had to wait to enter the country legally and he followed the steps to be an American. He said the rules are wise and allow for assimilation instead of having the institutions and the language simply overwhelmed. Illegals do not treasure the country; they want the opportunity or rewards without the process and the respect for law. True, it is unfortunate that kids are affected by the sins of their parents. But the DREAM act merely adds to the hope of future illegals that something will surely be done for *their* children, too. You pose an economic argument. Respect for laws should not be for sale. The longer we delay in repatriating, the greater the effects on the children. And you would be amazed at the number and types of people who share this viewpoint. I respect your passion but disagree with your policy.
*
I studied abroad when I was an undergraduate and no foreign country provided me with anything except the permission to study there with the condition that I had enough funds to support myself while studying there.
*
I'll support the dream act as soon as the military component is removed.
