Hi there.

(Y’ALL READY FOR A SERMON?)

Oh, my sweet, sweet, Anon-

Just like how you think Piñata-Loving-Anon has a skewed perception of “Mehico,” I have a few bones to pick with your “real world” view. 

First off, I’m sorry that when you think of “Mehico,” you think if the Zetas, a reconquista of the American Southwest, and undocumented immigrants leeching off tax payers. It really is a shame you possess such a narrow view of a truly beautiful and prolific culture. And yes, I have a bias because my family is indeed Mexican, but ask any non-Mexican person who has taken the time to travel outside of their all-inclusive hotel resort, or someone who has simply read Mexico’s damn Wikipedia profile and I’m sure they’d say the same.

While it’s unfortunate thousands have died and still continue to die at the hands of drug cartels, drug abuse, and the Mexican government alike, the driving force behind the the conflict is not contained solely to the south of the border. A huge player in the game is the United States and its insatiable demand for drugs. If you’ve taken a basic economics course, you’ll know that wherever there’s a demand, there’s a supply. And as long as Americans demand the drugs, the cartels will supply. But how does the U.S. government respond to our issue of addiction? It increases federal and local law enforcement which does absolutely nothing. Being a public health major, I’ve read multiple studies that suggest that treatment, prevention, and education programs are far more effective to curb demand rather than spending money on increasing law enforcement. But seeing as clean needle exchanges, safe injection sites, and heroin maintenance programs are too controversial for our country, funding and policy never gets passed. Yay. 

As for undocumented immigrants “refusing” to learn English, some people simply don’t have time. An undocumented immigrant is probably working full time, perhaps more than one job, plus trying to take care of his or her family on top of all of that… What about time to sleep? In most instances, they’re doing all they can to survive. And while English would facilitate daily life, for some it’s just not a priority. And it’s not like having English under your belt makes you any less undocumented or any more American. My grandmother LEGALLY moved here when she was 25 (turning 81 next month), and she still doesn’t speak English (well, virtually no English, she did shock the whole family last year when her initial reaction was to exclaim “oh my god!” when she walked into her surprise party).

Isn’t she precious?

Anyway, back to my grandma learning English… was it a blatant and conscious decision on her behalf not to learn English? No, she was just busy raising 11 children.

Oh boy, and the good ol’ tax argument. You keep me on my toes, Anon. I don’t want to get all “fiscal” on you, but it’s important to me that you (and any other of my other 101 followers who possess the same uninformed views as you) see the numbers laid out.

(These figures are from the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy)… 

In 2010, undocumented immigrants paid:
$8.4 billion in sales tax
$1.6 billion in property tax
$1.2 billion in personal income tax

Therefore, undocumented immigrants paid $11.2 billion in taxes in 2010.

And most of the services that these taxes fund aren’t even accessible to them. They can’t apply for Medicare or Medicaid. Can’t get food stamps (or SNAP if you keep up with the times). Can’t collect social security. As for how often and to what caliber do undocumented immigrants access public services like the fire department, ER, public schools, etc.,  that we don’t know so there is no way to decipher the net gain/loss. But they are not freeloaders, they pay a lot of taxes!

For comparison’s sake (these figures are from ThinkProgress), General Electric made $14.2 billion in profits in 2010, but paid ZERO taxes. ZERO!!! GE actually received $3.2 billion in tax credits. So while you’re sitting here concerned about undocumented immigrants living off your tax money, I think you should be more concerned about the countless American mega-corporations that are instead taking yours (#ows). 

Sadly, for many Mexico is synonymous with the political maladies of drug cartels and immigration (I’m not even gonna address your concern for Mexico taking back the Southwest, if someone else wants to take that, it’s all yours, just inbox me and I’ll post it for my sweet, sweet Anon), etc. However, it’s not entirely your fault you possess a negative and skewed view of a wonderful country, for this view has ultimately been created by the media. There’s a lot more to “Mehico” than what you mentioned in your message, try to learn about it.

Besos.

*Cue the unfollows ;)*

P.S. I smell a lil’ trolling here…. no?