Bulletin Board/Comments

Racing to become a ‘nation of losers’

Over the last couple of hundred years several things happened that have made America the greatest country on Earth.

Millions of hard working people immigrated to America, merged into our society and became God-fearing, patriotic, Christian citizens.

These people worked for practically nothing and the result was that we have a rich nation.

However, things are changing. We are now the largest debtor nation on Earth. We are losing our manufacturing base. We embrace multiculturalism. And we are removing God out of everything.

Multiculturalism divides our nation instead of causing it to stand together. Politicians don't like a nation of one mindset; it makes it harder for the minority party to get into power.

Politicians could not care less about the future of America. All they want is to get re-elected or the continuation of their party's power, as in the case of President Bush.

No nation can continue to transfer the working person's — the rich and middle class — wealth to society's underclass. We have transferred more than $6 trillion to this non-working underclass over the last 40 years and have more problems today than in 1964.

There is no longer any need to continue to transfer this wealth, because everyone in America today has an equal chance for an education or a job. In fact, some, because of race or gender, have more than an equal chance through affirmative action.

So, why should anyone receive the fruits of someone else's labor?

I grew up in the slums of Tampa, where there was alcohol, prostitution and gangs. My mother and stepdad kept me on the straight and narrow. I got a lot of training at home in the woodshed.

Today, where are the fathers? Every day I look in the Star-Banner and am appalled at the illegitimate births. We are building a nation of losers, and the working people are paying for this nonsense.

Last year's disasters prove beyond a shadow of a doubt what happens when you have large portions of society totally dependent upon the government — translate that to the working people.

These dependent people will never be given enough. Add multiculturalism and you don't have America. You have pockets of society that don't even like this country, even though they have been pampered and supported for generations by working people. I refer to the riots of Toledo in October 2005 and the looting of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Now we face two more problems: Hispanic and Muslim immigrants, legal and illegal.

America is not absorbing these two very large groups. I realize Hispanics do the work the underclass won't do. Mexican President Vicente Fox said it was the blacks who wouldn't do the work. But I know of plenty of underclass whites who won't do the work either.

The problem is these Hispanics aren't becoming Americans. We Americans are being made to become Hispanic. We are forced to speak Spanish, offer government documents in Spanish, etc. In certain parts of the nation, if you are not fluent in Spanish you can't get a job!

This is America and English should be made the official language, now! My grandfather, Lorenz, immigrated to America in 1910. He spoke German and would not allow anything but English in his house, even if it had to be broken English.

President Bush has stated that the nation is at war. Why hasn't he closed all the borders? The borders were closed during World War II. Our enemies freely cross our borders from Mexico and Canada every day. Al Qaeda recently stated, "One day America will wake up and find 135,000 terrorists inside her borders and there will be nothing she can do about it." I hope they are wrong.

I hate what has happened to our liberty because of terrorism. I used to fly a lot, but now I drive whenever possible. Who wants to be abused by the Transportation Security Agency? The ground crews are mostly aliens. I can see that from the terminal windows.

This is a harsh letter, but the future of America is at stake. The course our politicians have set for America is toward destruction and must be changed.

It will be a bitter pill for some, but the future will be better for everyone, not just a few. Liberty and capitalism are the answer, not socialism, communism and fascism. The latter of those three is where we are heading, and Russia recently proved this wouldn't work.

Don Garlits is the founder and chief executive officer of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, where he also resides.

09/14/05 - Thanks Ken for the information.

Hi,

On Wednesday's show a female caller made the remark that the horse farms of Marion County contribute to the county by employing Americans. I've worked in the horse industry here for over 20 years and thought I'd take the time to enlighten callers who have never set foot on these farms that less than 10% of employees on farms now days are American. For the most part they employ the citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and other third world Latin countries, not Americans. Most Americans I knew got out of the
horse business here because as a result of the illegal flood the farms will not pay a wage one can do more than struggle on, let alone keep up with the cost of living. The contribution farms make to Marion County is luring more illegal aliens here, putting tax-paying Americans out of work, and turning areas of the county into 3rd world cesspools because they seem able and willing to hire them with impunity.

08/11/05 - Thanks Stan for your thoughts. - ITS ELEMENTAL

This is becoming too true!

A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Governmentium." Governmentium has one neutron, 12assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 11 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second. Governmentium has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass." When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium - an element which radiates just as much energy, since it has half as many peons, but twice as many morons.

06/07/05 – Thanks Paul for the information.

Here are the new impact fees for Volusia County starting today. The fees are apparently different for each city.

Want to bet it does NOT slow growth a twit????

pwf

From WESH TV:

For example, in Daytona Beach, the impact fee for a single-family home is raising from $5,777 to $10,081.

In Daytona Beach Shores, families will see a jump from $3,998 to $8,292.

Also, the school impact fee is raising from $7,250 to $11,554 for a single-family home in Deltona.

04/21/05 – Good letter Henry!

I have a suggested solution for the Horseshoe Lake Park situation. We should model our solution after what our friends at the St. Johns Water Management District have done with the Ocklawaha Farms land, which is now better known as "The Refuge at Ocklawaha".   In order to do that we (Marion County Commission on behalf of the citizens of Marion County) need to properly prepare that piece of property by:

         a. Remodeling the present cabins, conference room facility, walk in refrigeration unit so they are truly first class accommodations for targeted clientele (which I will describe later).

       b. Build at least 10 or maybe more cabins so there are plenty of facilities for our targeted clientele.

       c. We need to have a row of very decorative street lights installed so that the entrance to this facility is truly highlighted at night presenting an atmosphere that is safe and secure for our temporary tenants.

Now, after we have accomplished the above (and it has all been paid for by the citizens of Marion County), we need to lease the entire park to a private concern who specializes in rehabilitating those of our citizens who are alcohol and drug abusers. Now, the lease must be attractive so that we attract the best of these organizations who specialize in rehabilitation activities. A lease of probably $10,000 per annum would assure that our private sector friends in this area of endeavor would be attracted!!   Now, they can in turn charge any price they so desire for their rehabilitation program (probably in the area of $10,000 to $12,000 PER MONTH per individual would assure that they get truly addicted and well heeled individuals). The best candidates for this rehabilitation program will come from areas other than Marion County because very few, if any, of the local yocals who need this type of help can afford the fees involved!

Now, after this facility is in operation, we must let the people of Marion County know just how they are helping our community by letting this facility be used in this manner. In order to do this, we should once again copy the example of our present operators of "The Refuge" have done and schedule some time on WOCA Radio to let the citizens of Marion County know what a wonderful job they are doing and how we (Marion County Taxpayer) are truly being benevolent and helpful to our misfortunate citizens.   Oh, and by the way, the citizens don't need to know anything about the people who participate in this rehabilitation program because, you see, that would violate their privacy. Of course, the financial condition and operations of the leasing firm would also not be open for public review because that could possibly reveal who is participating in the program and may violate their privacy!!!!

Note: A quick mathematical computation of the above should tell any reader what a "sweet" deal this is for someone other than the taxpayers who are footing the bill!!

That would make us unique because we would have TWO wonderful facilities in operation at the same time and the Marion County Tax payers would have two bites at the apple instead of just one!!!!

Sorry, didn't mean to write a book. Hope it didn't bore you too much!!

Henry   :-)

03/30/05 – Thanks Paul for letting us print your letter to Editor, Star Banner.

Editor:

A letter Monday alleged Marion County is about to “steal” $600,000 from the City of Belleview, apparently claiming citizens of Belleview paid the one-cent sales tax to fund $60,000,000 in county-wide capital improvements; therefore they are entitled to dictate the location of a proposed South Marion library.

A few facts: Belleview citizens have never paid $600,000 to help fund a new library; rather they helped fund a countywide program, as did I, a resident of Ocala. Second, the “Belleview” library was part of the Central Florida Regional Library system for more than 25 years, and then part of the Marion County Library System for the past six or seven years. Since the mid-1960’s, it has not been The Belleview Library but rather a regional library located in Belleview.

Third, it is irrational to favor construction of any county facility in an area where the majority of the population using that facility is not located.

The Belleview Library did exist for quite a few years without the county’s help. When the city declined to tax Belleview citizens to continue its growing operations, and when the excellent Friends of the Library were unable to fund the expansion for a growing South Marion County area, the regional library system entered the picture -- at the request of Belleview.

If Belleview insists the library be inside the city limits, I suggest the county determine the portion of the one-cent sales tax paid by residents of Belleview going to fund the new South Marion Library and give it to the city, along with the keys to the existing Belleview Library. My calculations are the Belleview taxpayers paid about $25,000 for the new library.

This way, Belleview could continue to have its own library, and the needs of the southern part of the county could be met at a new and growing library.

Paul ………….

Ocala

02/22/05 – This Paul’s reply to School Board Ron Crawford’s e-mail below.

Thank you, Mr. Crawford, for your response.

It is unfortunate that you made the promise you made, and further it is unfortunate that the information you based that promise on was so flawed. I, along with many others, challenge the "the fine leadership . . ." statement: the unnecessary plushness at Forest does not confirm your statement. Further, your statement indicates you could not handle growth, repairs and class size amendment "all at the same time." the facts are that the class size amendment did not necessitate the need for extra funds at all. You could not handle growth and repairs before the class size amendment; it only magnified the problem.

Your sales tax will not handle the needs of Marion County at all. Had you imposed a $5,000 impact fee when it should have been imposed, the Villages of Marion County alone would have built an entire school. The same is true for On Top of the World -- in the next three to four years, such an impact fee would have built another school; Plute Homes ditto, Heathbrook ditto, plus all of the other development. Once the sales tax goes away in five years, you will continue to have problems because we can not raise enough money from current sources to keep pace.

Leadership is not making promises that might seem politically expedient at the time. Leadership is leading and solving problems. You have only delayed it.

I appreciate your response.

By the way, Ron, look at the truth about how many homes would be exempt from a school impact fee. Your information is simply wrong. Seniors pay too. Who ever told you it is an unreliable source of revenue needs to go back to school, because they do not know their facts.

02/21/05 – Thanks Paul for letting us use your letter that you sent to School Board members and Superintendent Yancey and to use some of their replies. READ ARTICLE http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/orl-locvimpactfee21022105feb21,1,302514.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Yet another Florida county has seen the light. Schools must have impact fees if we are to make any move to provide schools for our children. The new sales tax will only let Marion County make a stab at back filling the gap caused by years of failure to have a school impact fee. At the end of the five years, the need for school construction will still be there and the current feeling opposing impact fees will have gone through two election cycles. To not provide the public and school board members with the true facts about projected growth and needs is not only foolish, it is dishonest. There can be no doubt that seniors like me contribute to the impact on schools. Impact fees will be one of the biggest issues in the next two elections, so now is the time to show some leadership and courage, do the studies, and get ready for the imposition when the preparation cycle is completed.

REPLY FROM SCHOOL BOARD CRAWFORD

From: Crawford, Ron - School Board [mailto:Ron.Crawford@marion.k12.fl.us]
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 1:55 PM
Cc: Crawford, Ron - School Board
Subject: RE: Impact fees reply

When I agreed to support the 1/2 sales tax it was with the promise that I would not support impact taxes on home ownership/impact fees for a period of five years or during the term of the tax.

The reason the Board went with sales tax increase was because under current funding and the fine leadership that the Board had provided in spending the money that the taxpayers generously give us we were able to provide for growth and repairs. What we could not handle is growth, repairs and the class size amendment all the same time. Impact taxes on home ownership would not have provided the amount of money needed for the adjustment to the class size amendmentnor nor will they ever provide a reliable source of revenue since unlike the county and cities not all construction is available to the school system for an impact tax.

As to whether impact taxes on home ownership will be a major issue in the next election we will just have to see.

I made a promise to the people when I asked them to support the 1/2 sales tax. That promise was I would not support any additional increase in taxes for capital projects during the time that the sales tax was on. I try to keep my promises.

Ron Crawford
Vice Chairman
Marion County School Board
Ron.Crawford@marion.k12.fl.us

Dear Big John:

You have many radio fans amongst our group of aging athletes who play slow pitch softball all year around in Ocala. Most pick up your evening show. As for me, I catch the taped show in the mornings while in my car.

We think that many of your listeners would enjoy learning about the Golden Seniors Softball Club and being given the opportunity to once again play ball. Our youngest player is 57 and our oldest in approaching 80....yes, eighty!

Thank you, good sir.

L. Bruce Thompson, Secretary, Golden Seniors Softball Club

FOR BIG BAG JOHN

GOLDEN SENIORS SOFTBALL CLUB of Ocala

The ‘boys (and the girls) of summer’ still gather in Ocala to play our national pastime every morning Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to noon throughout the year. The boys are no longer ‘boys’ but rather seniors aged 55 to 80 years young. The game is slow pitch softball suitably altered to insure aging athletes avoid the bumps and bruises that come with the game.

The Golden Seniors Softball Club (GSSC) of Ocala, a non profit organization dedicated to making softball available to Ocala and Marion County residents, is in its 13^th season. Members of the Club hail from every community close to Ocala from Anthony to Belleview and Salt Springs to Dunnellon as well as adult communities such as Oak Run, On Top of The World, Marion Landing, Spruce Creek, Pine Run, Ocala Palms, and Silver Springs Shores.

All games are played at Shocker Park on SE 24^th Street just east of the Jervey Gantt Sport Complex. The Golden Seniors League for those 55 years old and up plays on Monday and Wednesday mornings starting at 8:30. The Old Timers League for those over 60 plays each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Many members play in both leagues. There are six teams in the Golden Seniors League and four teams in the Old Timers League.

Slow pitch softball is a boon to the 120 plus members of the GSSC, their families, friends and the local business sponsors. Softball helps maintain a healthy physical well being and builds strong relationships between fellow team players and Club members. Maintaining an active lifestyle in the golden years is foremost. Amongst those who play softball are about 22 who have had open heart surgery, some of whom wear pacemakers. Numerous players compete with knee and/or hip replacements.

All residents of Marion County (men and women) over the age of 55 are encouraged to join the Club. Any one interested can contact James Russo 873-1453, Al Browning 369-6075 or Phil Regoli 237-3490. Or simply come to Shocker Park on SE 24^th Street any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning and bring your glove.

10/22/04 – Thanks Ruth for the article. DON’T BE DUPED!…………….

17% Increase in Medicare premiums (Please read)

Before you jump to conclusions read this and have a great day!

Have you seen the John Kerry commercial in which George Bush pledges to help Seniors on Medicare and "the very next day imposes a 17% premium increase - the biggest in history"? That ad is a stroke of genius on Kerry's part and will surely gain him many votes among the uninformed.

++++

I found it so amazing that I did some homework on the issue.

As it turns out the 17% increase was not imposed by President Bush but was mandated by the "balanced budget agreement" signed by President Clinton, voted into law by Senator John Kerry, and was scheduled to come into effect during the Bush administration.

President Bush had no authority to reverse what had been voted into law by Senator Kerry during the Clinton administration.

++++++

Once again Kerry is counting on the ignorance of the American people.

Don't be duped!

03/02/04 – Thanks Paul for your letters. BBJ says, “This is a good letter to our Marion County Legislators about the Appleton and it will get their attention. I urge you to write to the Legislators while this letter is excellent, it takes more than one (1) letter to get them to do the right thing.”

Paul sent this to our legislators . . .

I read the Star Banner this morning and feel compelled to offer a comment .

I am not culturally elite, neither do I consider myself culturally deprived . . .

This Appleton thing troubles me from the perspective of my role in keeping my friends out of trouble.
I guess I am glad Mr. Appleton made enough money to saddle us with a museum for us to have to keep up after he got his tax deduction.
The problem I have with your role is I have always thought we ought to stick reasonably close to priorities . . .

1. Education . . . things like classrooms for kids, textbooks for kids,
reduced number of students to increase the personal attention in a classroom especially in a county like Marion where we have a large number of shall we say "slow learners"

2. Roads . . . we have not changed the way we fund highway construction in probably 30 years
There is not a single state road in Marion County that is in good shape. I will not hassle you with the story of SS Blvd or SR 200, but since the last election, in spite of all three of you saying you would get something moving, nothing -- nothing -- has been done. Sen. Lynn made the commitment during the campaign and twice since on radio broadcasts.

3. Health Care . . . we have not changed the way we provide health care for the poor, and that means close to half of Marion County, in dozens of years The MC Health Dept. is vastly overworked and under funded.
The state sponsored kids health insurance is under funded.

4. Seniors health problems and services. I have been astounded since I
turned 65 three years ago at the plight of the elderly in getting health
care.
Sure we seniors have Medicare, but you ought to ride a Senior Services bus someday and watch poor souls being wheeled into a doctor's appointment by themselves, signed in and then left to wait for the doctor. I guess the bus comes back for them later. I don't even want to think about their office visit, because I am reasonably intelligent and can ask questions and understand answers, but so many of the folks I see in doctor's offices do not even know why they are at the doctors and haven't a clue what they are being told.

Well, I don't want to make this an epistle, and I have other things to do
other than get embroiled in the battle over the Appleton. It is a good
museum. I am glad it is here. But the vast majority of people I run into,
including those who use the Appleton, believe the items I mentioned above should come first.

If I was involved in a political campaign for the legislature, I assure you, I could make this a very big issue . . . stop and think: The Appleton has been here more than a dozen years and has drawn BIG state funds, but does not have enough support or usage to even pay basic expenses. Doesn't this tell you something?

If you were to ask 1,000 people to list the five top priorities they have
for spending, I will guarantee not one single person would mention The
Appleton -- not one out of 5,000 responses. If I wanted to cause a stir, I would get someone like maybe Bill Glass to fund a poll.

This ranks right up there with a horse park or a baseball stadium as far as priorities are concerned.

Enough said.

Paul

REPLY TO PAUL FROM SENATOR ARGENZIANO

Thank you for writing and letting me know how you feel on this issue. I do value that very much. It enables me to gauge what the people are thinking

rather then just reading the newspapers version.

I love the Appleton also. However, I have always used a "priority" list

when it comes to funding. I have in the past fought against funding new law

schools and med schools, or the funding of replacement citrus trees homeowners) that have been removed by the state because of citrus canker, over the funding of what I considered to be of a higher priority. Many, such as the ones you have mentioned.

I will continue to do the same. However, if there is a chance for me to

help in some funding for the Appleton, if other higher priorities are funded, then I will help my county by doing so. Many people support the state funding and have let me know. Some other county would get the funding if we did not. Senator Lynn has a budget request in for the Appleton.

I appreciate you writing.

Sen. Nancy Argenziano:

REPLY TO PAUL FROM SENATOR LYNN

February 25, 2004

To: Mr. Paul ……..

Ocala, FL

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on education, roads, health care, and issues involving seniors. I agree that these are top priorities in the State of Florida.

As you stated in your email, Marion County does need a lot of assistance with roads. State Road 200 and Route 40 both need help in a variety of ways. I have spoken many times to the DOT about the need to widen and re-pave Route 40. A study is currently under way to determine how the widening efforts can be accomplished while working to solve the environmental concerns. Once the study is completed, the DOT will be able to proceed. I have met with officials of the City of Ocala and the DOT to discuss many road issues, particularly those regarding safety at some key intersections on Route 40. A large portion of Route 40 has been re-paved in the last year. An additional concern is the high traffic fatality rate in Marion County and I have spoken to DOT representatives to discuss if safety could be improved through road work or increased numbers of law enforcement personnel.

I appreciate your comments about the Appleton Museum. It is important to me that we recognize the Appleton as a driving economic force. The best way to attract new industry to the area and improve the economic base of Marion County is to offer cultural, educational, and recreational assets that attract industry and businesses and the families that work for those industries and businesses. The beauty of the Appleton, the quality of its exhibits, and its cooperative efforts with the school system make it an important economic “tool” for Marion County.

With regard to health care and health problems facing seniors, you are, indeed, fortunate to have access to Medicare. However, on a daily basis I deal with constituents in their late fifties who have lost their jobs and are not old enough to have Medicare. This is a large group of people who are having great difficulty and I spend a great deal of time trying to find assistance for them.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns with me on these very important issues that affect our area and our state.

Evelyn J. Lynn

02/19/04 –

My Republican Commissioners are a disgrace and absolute embarrassment. Don't know how else to put it. I went to the convenience store this morning to get a cup of coffee only to find that I am once again ashamed to be a Republican! Headlines: "County says new taxes may be need to fix roads." New taxes in addition to the ones already "extracted" from us by our fellow Republicans.

Last year Marion County voters were persuaded to vote for a one cent sales tax. What is a more pressing concern than our deteriorating roads? Why pouring millions of tax-payer dollars into this Taj Mahal, this monument and edifice to our librarian. And what is our librarian teaching our children? None other than to be sexually active ("Deal with it" and "It's Perfectly Normal" and "Eat Me") and to hate the Jews and to hate Israel ("A Stone In My Hand").

So then, instead of applying these millions to maintain our county's roads, our commissioners are pumping millions into this monument to what? Perversion, racism and anti-Semitism? My Commissioners have made me ashamed to be a Republican.

01/11/04 –

I have been exercising racehorses for 27 years. I moved from Kentucky to Ocala 6 years ago. At first work was easy to find. Now I can't find a job riding. On every job I have had in the last 4 years I have been paid less then the Mexicans. I even have a well-documented case against xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the EEOC for hiring women for less pay then men. The rhetoric about Mexicans taking jobs Americans don't want and they get paid less is a crock full. I was replaced by Mexicans on 4 different job sites as soon as they showed up. Most of them are between 19 and 23 years old and they make 600 dollars a week. My riding helmet is as old as them. They speak no English, minimal riding skills and were making more then me. Oh, did I mentioned that the people who are running the barns are Mexican too? When I go to a farm and I ask a Mexican supervisor for a job? He looks at me, and he sees a woman not a rider. So once again I have to break the sex barrier. I see on Mexicans on construction sites, holding county jobs, very where I go I see Mexicans taking over American jobs. Blue collar jobs. The government wants us to believe and shows us pictures of strawberry pickers. I will venture to say about 2 percent of the riders in Ocala are women, 8 percent white men, the rest Mexicans. I have been pushed right out of work in 4 short years. And we need to protect their rights and from living in the shadows. As I prepare to be homeless and living in the back of my truck. I never saw this coming.

01/11/04 –

Hi,

I love your program, it's really made me think.

As a worker here on Marion horse farms I'm disgusted with the president's effort to destroy my job by making the Mexican problem even worse than it already is. Instead of enforcing Federal Law and booting these, pardon my political incorrectness, ALIENS who are here illegally (illegal being the operative word) he's decided that breaking our Federal laws is acceptable and can be forgiven because Vincent Fox dumping masses of peasants on us would be a great thing to do for our society. After all, the millionare horse farm owners and pea pickers need cheap labor to avoid paying citizens a living wage! Heaven forbid illegals should have to be deported and the wages and standard of living for American tax-paying citizens go up..instead of down as our tax burden continues to grow to support these parasites who do not come here with America's best interest in mind. Rather communities where they coagulate tend to decline in living standards, often to mimic their own 3rd world lifestyle. Doubters should take a look across from
Rising Hill Farm at "Little Mexico" on the west side of Ocala.

Pay for their education?? That's not only an outrage for tax-paying citizens, but an insult when the same cannot be offered to our own citizens first when we'd be the ones paying for this idiotic idea. Have we become a socialist state yet?

This pandering to hispanics by the Bush Administration sickens me. American society and culture cannot survive under the deliberate open-door policy envisioned by president Bush..a continuous invasion of foreign illegals who have no intention of integrating into our way of life..or leaving once their green cards have expired. The president may have the best of all intentions, but as we know this is easily the best way to pave the road to hell. I do not understand why some feel we must trade our way of life for votes, to make rich horse farm owners even richer, or to patronise the impoverished of other nations.

KS

I wanted to thank you for the great show. It’s refreshing to see that someone out there is taking the illegal immigrant problem in Marion county seriously.

I’m one of those employed by the local horse farm industry. I’ve been working on Marion county horse farms since 1980’s and it’s been my sad experience to witness the quality of employment on these farms go down the toilet over the past decade due to the illegal immigrants here. Primarily they are Mexicans, but almost all of Central and South America is represented as well. When I began in this industry in the mid-80’s the payroll was on a steady market-driven increase and enjoyable benefits for employees were available at many farms. In the late 80’s and early 90’s the horse farms fell on hard times for tax or other reasons and their solution to keep their profitability up was to cut their skilled American employees and then freeze wages, eliminate benefits and replace their workforce with cheap unskilled immigrant labor. All of the people I knew as professional horsemen either left the state to seek better working conditions or got out of the career entirely. They didn’t leave because “Americans cannot handle the work,” they left because they could no longer support a family on the stagnant wages. This line of work used to be a respectable career when farms had a more professional attitude and rewarded their employees. For the most part those days are gone. Old-school experienced horse handlers like me hang on because we are fighting for the welfare of the horses on these farms. We are trapped in a thankless and unrewarding job until we cannot take it any longer and have to move on. Sadly it’s the horses that suffer most from the declining quality of farm labor and you’d be shocked at what I have seen passes for horse care on some of these farms.

There is a great irony here. Now horse farms are desperate for skilled horse handlers since the vast majority of immigrant workers have no real horse experience and are frequently abusive to the animals. I’ve seen some farms slowly begin to up the pay rates and practically beg friends of mine to come work for them, but it’s too little, too late. The farms can now stew in the labor mess they created.

They couldn’t pay me enough to return to a place like xxxxx, or go to work for a place like xxxxx, where I would be the only English-speaking person outside of management. I was once offered a Spanish dictionary in order to communicate with them and I refused with the objection that this was MY country and they should have to learn MY language..not the other way around. I may be one of those horse farm workers that I often hear people on the radio disparage as unskilled or unable to do anything else for a living, but I do still have my dignity as an American citizen. Too bad that doesn’t extend to horse farm management!:)

Keep up the good work!