Discussion with an Uzbekistan-American friend today re: immigration

[Delarage]

This woman is married to a Trump-humper but considers herself "independent."

She asked me what I thought about the "open borders" policy of the "new government" and said that illegal immigrants have been flooding into the country since the new government took over. And wanted to know what I thought about that. Also said that she fled a "socialist" country and wanted to know how I felt about socialism. A lot to unpack.....

After much back-and-forth, it turns out that she is in favor of "opening the borders" if there is some kind of work program/legal path to citizenship. With all the infrastructure projects, there should be lots of entry-level work. If people break the law, they could have their papers revoked.

And she's in favor of a national healthcare plan. And a clean environment (which requires government regulations). And unions.

Living with her Trumper husband and having Faux News on all the time has clearly colored her take on things

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Sounds as though she's holding up pretty well, considering her Trumper husband.

I'd also say that it's a good thing she has you to talk to! You can encourage her to keep her mind open.

Good luck to you both!

[Delarage]

5. Thank you!

We drove 45 minutes from Wilmington to Dover together to get our vaccines and eat an an Indian restaurant we like in Dover, so I had some time to refute the Faux News with actual facts. She also said she wants Republicans and Democrats to work together to get stuff done and started talking about how Republicans are for small government, bootstrap-type effort, etc. I said that no such Republicans appear to be in office anymore, so they all need to go. Clearly she doesn't follow politics as closely as she should and, especially being from Delaware, she should know that Joe will make an effort to meet with "those people" and try to get them on board and compromise somewhat. I pointed out that he will try and she said "Good!"

I do have my work cut out for me, though!

[ShazamIam]

2. I wonder why the Democratic aren't pushing back harder on the lie that Democratic support open

borders when it is a lie. A lie based on the idea that Democratic do support respecting individual human rights.

What are they going to say when Joe Biden, like Barack Obama begins deportations?

I do wish both parties would call on sanctions for those who are nearly entirely dependent on cheap and amusable illegal immigrant labor, Ag, food processors, hospitality sector, etc.

[Delarage]

6. Absolutely

A path to citizenship doesn't have to include virtual slave labor!

[blm]

3. There is no open border policy. That's a GOP lie.

[Delarage]

7. Yup

She actually said that Trump "controlled" the border and acted like all of a sudden we have just allowed people to walk in randomly. I reminded her that Trump separated kids and caged them.

And I kept circling back to the fact that few people would undertake such an arduous journey to the unknown if things were great in their home countries. Only desperate, terrified people hoping for a chance.

They must really be pushing this on Faux, b/c she almost sounded brainwashed. And she's a basically good person (a little materialistic in my book, but not soullessly so).

When she started talking about socialism, I mentioned how a lack of a national healthcare program for everyone puts our businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Toyota and Honda don't have to worry about their employees' healthcare costs, etc.

All Repukes really are is destructive, racist greed-heads with no concern for society in general beyond what it can do for them. I cannot believe that even 30% of our country is stupid enough to vote for them.

[MagickMuffin]

4. Become her Bestie, she seems as though she needs better input

and you seem to connect with each other so, that part is an open door just keep walking through it.

Best of luck in bringing her from the darkness to the light!