The Rocks Cry Out...

Okay, I have to vent. I am angry. I have never agreed with the ”Gestapo-esque” attitude and draconian measures of “rounding them all up” and sending the illegal immigrants back to wherever they came from.

Now I have been personally affected by this mentality, and I could see it coming. I think that I just didn’t believe that it would actually come to pass. Please do not get your ammunition up to send me arguments against what I am saying. I have heard them all. And for the most part I have remained silent. No longer. You will not change my mind by anything you might say, because I truly do not believe that this is only a legal or political issue. I think it is a moral or ethical issue. And I cannot change on that stance.

I am not referring to the morals or ethics of the immigrants. That is an issue between them, and …whoever. But I am referring to my own personal ethics as a Christian believer, and perhaps those of American citizens at large.

God admonished His people to be especially kind to the “strangers in their midst.” To care for, protect and defend them. He constantly put up at the top of His list of requirements that they take care of “the stranger, the widow, and the orphan.”

I hear the comment that many of our ancestors were immigrants, but they had to do it the hard way…jump through all the hoops. I think that is best. I think that is the proper way. But 99% of those ancestors who came here to improve their way of life, provide for their families and find the freedom they sought….did NOT simply walk across a line drawn in the sand of the same continent on which they already lived. They crossed oceans, arrived in Immigration, and processed through officials before setting foot on this soil. Of course they had to follow procedures. Would many of them have circumvented this process if they could have? Who knows?

One common complaint is in reference to the “money/taxes” that we have to pay to “support” and take care of illegals. The complaint is that they do not pay taxes. (In many cases this is not true.)

Question: Even if you pay high taxes, as a consumer, does more of your paycheck go for taxes, than for things that you purchase? Do your taxes exceed what you spend on furniture, appliances, electronics, entertainment, food, clothing, cars, gasoline, rent, fast food, eating out, and alcoholic beverages? (Just to name a few.) If you paid no taxes at all, think how you would still support the economy with all of these expenditures. Do you think that these immigrants do not also spend in each of these categories, contributing greatly to our economy?

Question: Before God, which would you rather see your tax money go for: The true medical and personal needs of families who may have some rotten apples in their barrels, who have human need of assistance which perhaps yours and my tax dollars could help? Our taxes are certainly not going to be reduced at any rate. Would we rather that our “charitable” gifts (tax dollars) go to support the exotic lifestyles of the rich and famous elected Government officials. To provide for their limos, parties, yachts, and memberships in exclusive clubs. Why don’t we become irate at our support of those who live lifestyles which we can only imagine; instead of becoming so indignant about paying the expenses of the illegal woman being able to give birth in a sanitary public hospital? Stories of crowded emergency rooms abound, and I know these are true, but frankly, when was the last time you were refused treatment at your local hospital…for ANY reason?

Question: Just what position now filled by an illegal immigrant who “waits on you”, cleans your home, plants your food, harvests your food (bent over in the hot sun all day), cleans up after you, cuts your grass, gardens and plants, …(I honestly have very little awareness of the menial jobs most do)…which of these would you be more than willing to do FOR OTHER PEOPLE, not yourself, day after day, in less than desirable conditions…and FOR MINIMUM WAGE? (Or less…)

We are deceived if we think that our economy, as we know it, could continue for any length of time if we did not have these people working, buying, spending, and serving us in every area of our lives.

Just this month, I have been personally affected by what is rumbling through our political halls and the hearts of many Americans, regarding these immigrants.

I have employed the same Gardening Service for over fourteen years. I have often commented about how they go far beyond what they are required to do. They (in this order) edge, clean up the “doggie doo”, mow, trim, blow, plant (anything I set out for them to plant), trim the hedges and bushes, weed, clean up all the trimmings and then take ALL my trash/recycle, and trimming trash cans out to the curb, arranged for pickup. For a single woman alone, this means a great deal. They do this weekly. This summer, they increased their monthly fee a mere five dollars…after fourteen years.

A little over three weeks ago, they disappeared. I have not heard from them. My grass is approaching “calf height”, and weeds are taking over my flower garden. I am picking up my own doggie mess and taking my own trash cans out. If there is any weeding or trimming done, …well, you get the picture.

On late night TV yesterday, Conan made a quip about the situation; “We are sending them back. You are gonna lose your gardener…”.


My next-door neighbor’s gardener isn’t showing up. I have heard of people all over this area who are suddenly looking for new gardeners.

My son-in-law said they have been making “sweeps” of illegals in Las Vegas.

I located a local man who has a gardening service. He only mows, trims and sweeps. For almost half again as much money. They say he is “good, but expensive.”

Doesn’t sound “good” to me.

We have only seen the tip of the iceberg. If we think we paid before, well……

They can use my tax money to go to the emergency room any time they want to. Most of them are good, honest, incredibly hard working people with the heart of a servant. From what I hear, and from the stories of missionaries I have read and heard…living conditions in the backcountry of Mexico are hell.

What would Jesus do?

He certainly didn’t praise the politicians. He ministered to the poor. And they ministered back to him. He said, “In as much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”

He even died for them.

Yes, we have to establish better boundaries, and enforceable requirements. If the regulatory statutes that used to be effective, are no longer, then they have to be changed. Perhaps they never were effective.

And perhaps, in the process of our bungling, we will learn just how much we are dependant on these people for our very lifestyle.

It angers many people to have to face the fact that America can no longer remain “self-contained”, but is part of a global society. (But I’m going to meddling there….that is another subject.)

The point is, that if we do not handle this immigrant problem wisely and compassionately, we will end up paying far more than we have bargained for.

Excuse me. I have to sign off and go look for a new gardener. Now is the time to start that new business, if you are interested. I bet you won’t pick up my doggie droppings and carry out my trash, and ---- for minimum wage.