this is the one thing that annoys me here in a miami (Pinecrest: living in, gardens)

[Cougar Beach]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

This is a hard subject to broach. Personally, I think those who do not respect the Flag of this country should suffer a form of punishment, but the question is how do you do that without trampeling all over the constitution?

You don't. You have a choice of a country that allows free political expression, or a country that's more like Cuba. You have no constitutional right not to be offended.

After we punish people who "disrespect" our flag (by flying another country's flag?), do we go after other people whose political views we find distasteful? Where does it end?

[Cougar Beach]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

The rigth to free expression is not unlimited. We already have laws regarding the display of flags. For example, when flying the American flag and other flags no flag can be higher than the Amercian flag. If these guys whould add an American flag to their rearview mirros to go along with the forign flag I'd have no problem with that at all. I would feel it would be like they were then saying "I'm a Cuban-American" instead of "I'm a Cuban". BIG difference for me.

Are you going to police your neighborhood, and turn in the people whose displays don't comport with your idea of patriotism? Do you think East Germany had the right idea, where citizens would regularly turn in each other?

[Cougar Beach]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

A lot of people come here just to earn money. They have no loyalty to this country except what they can milk out of it. They send the cash back home to their families, which is a net drain on wealth in this country even before you consider all of the government programs that are provided to them for free (health care, school, etc.).

I don't think the average illegal alien has any loyalty to this country. In fact, they probably resent having to be here and make money here... even though they should be resenting their own corrupt government that can't create a stable economic situation to create jobs back home.

It's not just limited to low-income illegals either. I know highly paid software engineers who still have more loyalty to their homecountry (China) than to America. If we ever got into a hot war with China you can expect a LOT of people here to work to cripple our computer networks I bet.

I've spent a lot of my life in high tech, and I can tell you that very, very few software engineers here are from China.

First of all you need to understand what an H-1B visa is. It allows someone to work in this country as a guest, just as an American oil rig worker in Saudi Arabia is a guest. They provide a double win for companies that hire them. They fill jobs that are (allegedly) difficult to fill with citizens or permanent residents, while the companies can pay substandard wages for employees with similar skills.

As far as permanent residents are concerned, I've known many, and I don't know any personally who've made a point of displaying hatred toward the U.S. That doesn't mean that they always agreed with everything the U.S. government does. Neither do you.

In any case, none of this applies to Puerto Ricans, who are Americans, or Cubans, who get a green card as soon as they arrive and are on the fast track to citizenship.

So some people wave Cuban flags. I agree, it sucks. Such is life in a democracy. I can live with it. If you can't, take a deep breath and try again.

[cuba libre]

Originally Posted by cuba libre

This is what separates 'traditional 1920's style immigration' from what we are witnessing today. In Miami, there is a burgoing Latin upper-middle class that could give two sh-!-ts about America, its values, or the English language for that matter. Go to the Starbucks on Miracle Mile, the Novecento on Brickell, or the Segafredo on Brickell to see these types.

Everything is "Hola, Hola Hola"....

Has anyone been to the Starbucks on Miracle Mile, the Novecento on Brickell, or the Segafredo on S. Miami Ave. in Brickell???

[JulianM09]

Originally Posted by cuba libre

Has anyone been to the Starbucks on Miracle Mile, the Novecento on Brickell, or the Segafredo on S. Miami Ave. in Brickell???

Been to Segafredo and Novecento. Nothing too special of either place, wine was great, atmosphere was great, food was fine, I'd recomend it to anybody.

[Rock Newman]

Originally Posted by Cougar Beach

Are you going to police your neighborhood, and turn in the people whose displays don't comport with your idea of patriotism? Do you think East Germany had the right idea, where citizens would regularly turn in each other?

You make an excellent point .. hey there are level headed people on this forum !!

[Rock Newman]

Originally Posted by rogerbacon

A lot of people come here just to earn money. They have no loyalty to this country except what they can milk out of it. They send the cash back home to their families, which is a net drain on wealth in this country even before you consider all of the government programs that are provided to them for free (health care, school, etc.).

I don't think the average illegal alien has any loyalty to this country. In fact, they probably resent having to be here and make money here... even though they should be resenting their own corrupt government that can't create a stable economic situation to create jobs back home.

It's not just limited to low-income illegals either. I know highly paid software engineers who still have more loyalty to their homecountry (China) than to America. If we ever got into a hot war with China you can expect a LOT of people here to work to cripple our computer networks I bet.

Sir ... I have been browing this forum for several weeks now and I just joined today .. one constant is that your posts are usually negative , you sound like you need a puppy ... chill life is way too short .

[Migsly]

I don't like people who disrespect the US when they are living in it and enjoying all its benefits and freedoms that come with it. But that's what America is all about. A place where people can feel free to do what they want, say what they want and feel what they want. Although the liberals punish those who don't think like they do by wrecking there lives.

[FlyMIA]

I dont think is annoying I just think its horrible when people talk about how much better there home country is than the US yet they live in the US. Brazil is so great, Columbia is so great. THAN MOVE BACK! Thats what I HATE!

[Marlin331]

Originally Posted by cuba libre

This is what separates 'traditional 1920's style immigration' from what we are witnessing today. In Miami, there is a burgoing Latin upper-middle class that could give two sh-!-ts about America, its values, or the English language for that matter. Go to the Starbucks on Miracle Mile, the Novecento on Brickell, or the Segafredo on Brickell to see these types.

Everything is "Hola, Hola Hola"....

Why are you making this assumption? Hearing people speak Spanish shouldn't lead you to assume that these people hate this country, its values, or the English language. When I lived in Madrid, I heard English all the time at Starbucks and in the historic center where most of the nightlife is... however, I never heard anyone talk about how these Anglophones hated Spain, its values, or the Spanish language. I can't claim to know all upper middle class Latin Americans in Miami, but I can say that I have met a lot of Latin-born young people who immigrated here for college and work... they all CHOOSE to be in this country BECAUSE they love it, and ALL of them are glad to speak English with people who they know aren't recent Latin American/Spanish immigrants. In fact, although I am fluent in Spanish, I frequently speak English with most of them because they are in the United States and prefer to practice their English with people they know were born and raised in this country (regardless of whether or not they are "Hispanic")