Gasoline Prices

With the price of gas hovering around the $3.00 mark, it seems to be the topic of conversation and complaint around the water cooler and at the pump more often than not. I don't like the higher price either but lets put it in perspective. Take a few moments and figure out the following:
A: What percentage of your income do you pay for gasoline?
B: What percentage of your income do you pay in taxes (all kinds)?
In my case it works out to something like A=6%, B=45% (almost HALF of my income!)
Sure, I don't like the high cost of gas, but I'm really pissed about how much I am FORCED to fork over as TAXES!
Next time you are at the pump and the guy at the next pump is bitching about the cost, remind him of his tax burden. (That'll really piss him off.)

What is an Illegal Immigrant?

An "Illegal Immigrant" is an oxymoron.

There's no such thing as an "Illegal Immigrant!" Immigrants, by definition, followed the rules and have been cleared by the U.S. government to be in this country legally. Those who enter this country without authorization from the U.S. government are "Illegal Aliens."

Now, with that out of the way, let me say my two cents worth about the Illegal Aliens who are protesting the revised immigration laws currently being considered in Congress. The very same Illegal Aliens who want the rights of American citizens, but who fly the flag of Mexico in protest of the American crack-down on their illegal activities.

Yes, these people illegally sneak into this country and do work that many Americans don't like to do. And yes, at 12 million strong, they buy a lot of U.S. products and services that keep legal Americans actively and gainfully employed.

But on the other hand, these Illegal Aliens don't pay taxes that fix the highways they use. They don't pay taxes that pay for their trips to the emergency room when they get sick. Wait a minute - they don't pay taxes, period! As "uninsured motorists," they don't buy auto insurance, which raises my insurance rates (and yours) to cover them. They don't pay real estate, state, county and city taxes which fund the schools that their children attend. There's a whole host of other things that they don't contribute to like the rest of us law-abiding U.S. citizens, yet they reap the rewards that the rest of us collectively pay for.

Want another one? While reaping the rewards of hard-working U.S. citizens, Illegal Aliens don't sign-up for Selective Service, and therefore don't defend this country that, until now, has been willing to overlook their law-breaking activities.

I surely don't have a problem with people coming to this country and calling it "home" - as long as they do it legally. This great country wouldn't be what it is if not for people who came here looking for better lives. Congress is heading towards passing laws that give the current Illegal Aliens the means to become legal, possibly after paying fines and agreeing to other sanctions, rules, etc. In addition to all of that, all current Illegal Aliens between the ages of 18 and 30, who want to become legal U.S. citizens, should as part of their sentence serve in the U.S. military for at least two years.

All you Illegal Aliens out there: It's high time that you show some gratitude to the great nation you want to be a part of. You can start by paying the same taxes that Americans do, and flying the American flag!