On a recent drive to do some work out in the Hamptons (The east end of Long Island N.Y & no I wasn't doing anything glamorous out there like hobnobbing with the stars, I was painting a house.) I actually saw some of the residents picketing a day laborer pick up site calling them law breakers and illegal aliens and I was floored by this in so many ways. First, they are not bothering you. The men in question were waiting silently for work and the only reason why I noticed them in the first place were the fools with the signs making a big scene in front of them. Two, it is not like they were going to take some work that you had any intentions of doing yourself. I seriously doubt that you donned that Lacoste polo and loafers to run wheel barrows of concrete or run a weed wacker. Three, who has this much time on their hands to be picketing job sites? If you are free that much of the day, you really need to take a step back and re-evaluate your life. Donate some time, start a charity, whatever... I am sure that there is something you should be doing that is more productive and better serving to society than impeding the chances of someone trying to make a living. And do not get on the whole taxes thing, believe me, none of us would claim all we make if we could get around it. As for the whole immigrant thing, regardless of how long ago your ancestors might have arrived here, unless your blood is Shinnecock or Montaukett... they were once immigrant too.
I have also seen this behavior often displayed against the homeless... seriously people. As if the homeless do not have enough strikes against them, they need your mean a** putting them down when they ask you for some loose change. I have never understood why law abiding citizens feel the need to get that angry over the homeless. Actually, the next time you see a homeless person you should thank them for removing themselves from society and no longer posing as competition for you and the things you want... For instance, when was the last time you lost your dream girl to a homeless guy? I am quite positive you never said; "Wow, we would have been perfect together until that guy with the dried piss on his crotch and dead pigeon on his shoulder came and wooed her off of her feet." True??? You never found yourself thinking; "Damn, that promotion was all mine until shoeless Frank came along with his shopping cart and incoherent rants."
If by some sick chance of fate that you do find yourself saying or thinking these things... then you need more help than you will find on this blog site. Let these people, worry about yourself and what you can bring to the table to enrich the lives of others.
Is it hot in here or am I crazy?
Another great blog! Love the shoeless frank comment
ReplyDeleteI too was driving out to the Hamptons to paint when I saw the men with the signs. The men were 100% correct to say stop day laborers. I feel as a business owner of a painting company, which you rarely work for, feel harassed sometimes when my truck gets surrounded and swarmed at almost any of the local 7/11s. If I wanted to hire somebody I would put an ad out. To all the residents of the Hamptons, Farmingville, and areas that are overly overpopulated with day laborers, I feel for. Maybe it would be different if they were all in your backyard. Schools are also infiltrated with offspring of illegal immigrants. I also work two jobs and play taxes on both. When there is four families living in one house, there is reason to be bothered.
ReplyDeleteJust Keepin' It Real.