New Prove-You're-A-Citizen law

[JimmyLyding]

When Governor Brewer signs this into law, can anyone see some unintended consequences? For those who don't know, this law will allow law enforcement officials to require anyone they come into contact with to prove that they are legally allowed to be in this country whether as a citizen or guest. For the record a valid driver's license is NOT considered proof-of-citizenship. Does this mean that those of us who appear as if we might be foreign have to carry around our birth certificates?
I'm not that worried about myself because I'm a 6'4" white dude, but then I remember reading about 80-year-old nuns being strip-searched by airport security.
As for hiking, I always carry my wallet with me because I'd rather risk losing it on the trail than having it stolen out of my car. But I'm not about to carry my birth certificate around. Anyhoo, this law will probably be struck down by the courts.

[PLC92084]

What does the Member of the Month get? A new kokopelli from the head kookoopelli?

I'm not sure but was just thinking I should be careful... Don't want to get stuck with the moniker - kiss-pumpkin-a-pelli...

[Jeffshadows]

well, if the prop fails.. you might as well simply close ALL the schools in AZ (including charter). It's a shame, this state has very, VERY, systematically sought to destroy it's own future in the past couple years.

btw, I'm not saying that tossing money at the problem is a solution.. but further gutting of the budget is certainly detrimental, probably to the point of completely rendering the system dysfunctional.

In my annoyance with the TUSD Governing Board last week I missed a nuance here. You're absolutely right and I intend to vote yes on 100. Any other special budget overrides for TUSD, though, those are another story...

[Jim]

I'm against Prop 100, and I encourage people to vote against it.

It's a slick way to move towards a universal flat tax through increasing sales tax, rather than do what should be done and raise the graduated income tax. Sure, they sell this Prop 100 as good for schools, police and what ever else that people think they can't live without, but what they don't say is that it will increase the proportional burden most on lower income people. Who does an extra 100 dollars in sales tax matter to, a guy making 20k a year, or a guy making 50k a year.

[Jeffshadows]

Makes sense but what else are we to do?

[Jim]

Makes sense but what else are we to do?

Well, unfortunately, people in this state aren't likely to vote to increase income tax. I understand it has to be done through a referendum and a constitutional amendment. The sales tax will probably get through because of the "feel good" way it's being sold. If only that could be done for a regular income tax hike. Maybe we could have a referendum to increase taxes on specific items of the budget. Everything gets voted on. We need more money for roads, schools, courts, state parks (after their money is stolen by the legislature), you can vote on each item of the budget. We need money for stadiums, sewage treatment, snow plowing, ect, you can vote on that too.

[wallyfrack]

It's a slick way to move towards a universal flat tax through increasing sales tax, rather than do what should be done and raise the graduated income tax.

Another aspect you are overlooking is sales tax is paid by non-residents and visitors who make purchases here. Income tax would only come from persons working here and reporting it.
The burden on "little guy" might not be that different. I have no problem with a little tax support from the Canadians.

[dysfunction]

I have no problem with a little tax support from the Canadians.

or any of the snowbirds who spend time here.

[chumley]

I think we tax our visitors plenty. There's airport fees added to every airline ticket, there's rental car taxes, hotel-bed taxes, etc.

And those aren't 1% bs either. Talk about reasons for boycotting trips to Arizona...

Rental Car Percentage Taxes:
Arizona State Surcharge 5.0%
Maricopa County Surcharge 3.25% / $2.50 minimum per day
Sales Tax 15.3%
Concession Recovery 11.11% (You pay for the rental car center that you are bused to. Cool huh?)
Total Percentage Taxes: 34.7%
Fees:
Customer Facility (ie the awesome rental car center you’ll be bused to at Phoenix Sky Harbor – pay more) $6 per day
You thought that bus ride was free? Ha-ha-ha.
Energy Recovery $0.47 per day
Maintenance for the beautiful rental car facility – $0.77 / day
Total per day fees: $7.24
In a typical example – a $460 base cost / 8 day rental added total taxes of ~$191 or 42%. Talk about some taxation? Welcome to Phoenix.

Hotel surcharges above the state sales tax are much more reasonable, but vary by county and city. Typically 5%-17% more.

The good news is that non-profit shops like a museum gift shop don't charge sales tax. Think of the savings tourists get there!

[wallyfrack]

On a side note I drove to San Diego yesterday. I went through 4 US customs check points. That's a one day record for me and I didn't even leave the country.
I also had to stop at the CA state border check but that doesn't really count.

[chumley]

The customs stops are probably related to the officer who was shot along the I-8 corridor the other day by suspected drug smugglers...

[dysfunction]

I went through 4 back in March too, come to think of it.. last time I went to 29 palms in 08 as well.. "where you heading today?" "the stumps." and I got laughed at.

[azdesertfather]

A picture is worth 1,000 words ...
Altered Dora the Explorer pic heats up immigration debate
http://www.azcentral.com/rsslinks/1638087

CHICAGO - In her police mug shot, the doe-eyed cartoon heroine with the bowl haircut has a black eye, battered lip and bloody nose.

Dora the Explorer's alleged crime? "Illegal Border Crossing Resisting Arrest."


The doctored picture, one of several circulating widely in the aftermath of Arizona's controversial new immigration law, may seem harmless, ridiculous or even tasteless.

But experts say the pictures and the rhetoric surrounding them online, in newspapers and at public rallies, reveal some Americans' attitudes about race, immigrants and where some of immigration reform debate may be headed.

"Dora is kind of like a blank screen onto which people can project their thoughts and feelings about Latinos," said Erynn Masi de Casanova, a sociology professor at the University of Cincinnati. "They feel like they can say negative things because she's only a cartoon character."

The depictions, whether through irony or protest, are being used by those who oppose and support Arizona's law. On one hand she's a likable symbol who many can relate to, and at the same time, perceived as an outsider who doesn't belong anywhere.

It's not the first time a children's character has been dragged into a serious debate.

In the late 1990s, Tinky Winky the Teletubby, a purple children's TV character with a triangle antenna - was called out by Christian leaders for being gay. Sesame Street roommates Bert and Ernie are often involved in statements on same-sex marriage.

Both shows' producers say the characters aren't gay.

In Dora's case, especially because her image is so widely available, she's an easy target as discussion ramps up on how lawmakers should address the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States.

For about a decade, the pint-sized Latina character has taught millions of children the English alphabet, colors and Spanish phrases on a Nickelodeon TV show and through a global empire. Her smiling cherub face is plastered on everything from backpacks to T-shirts to fruit snacks.

But since the passage of the Arizona law - which requires authorities to question people about their immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally - Dora's life and immigration status have been scrutinized and mocked.

Several websites, including The Huffington Post, have narrated Dora's mock capture by immigration authorities. One picture circulating on Facebook shows an ad for a TV show called "Dora the Illegal Immigrant." On the Facebook page "Dora the Explorer is soo an Illegal Immigrant," there are several images showing her sailing through the air over the U.S.-Mexican border.

Many of the Dora images assume the Latina character is an illegal immigrant from Mexico.

But that's where it gets complicated.

Representatives from Nickelodeon declined to comment on Dora's background, and her place of birth or citizenship have never been clear." She has brown skin, dark hair and speaks Spanish with an American accent.

"She's always been ambiguously constructed," said Angharad Valdivia, who teaches media studies at the University of Illinois and has explored the issue. "In the U.S. the way we understand race is about putting people in categories and we're uncomfortable with people we can't put into categories."

Dora lives in an unidentified location with pyramids that suggest Mexico, but also tropical elements such as palm trees and her friends, Isa the iguana and Boots the monkey. Does that mean she's from South America or Florida?

Then there's oak trees and her fox nemesis Swiper, which are more common to the American Midwest.

The show often plays Salsa-like music, which has some roots in Cuba and is popular across Latin America.

Even the voice actresses behind Dora don't provide insight.

The original Dora voice belonged to Kathleen Herles, whose parents are from Peru. Dora is currently voiced by actress Caitlin Sanchez, a New Jersey-born teen who calls herself Cuban American; her grandparents are Cuban.

The images have been used on all sides of the immigration reform debate.

Many immigrant families, particularly Latinos, see Dora as a symbol of freedom, someone to relate to. She's a young girl with brown skin who lives in a borderless world and can travel anywhere she wants without consequence.

"It's symbolic of the way many Latinos live ambiguously in the United States," said Nicole Guidotti-Hernandez who teaches gender studies at the University of Arizona. "It's a shorthand for claiming our lives in the United States, especially for children."

At the same time, Guidotti-Hernandez says the ambiguity and negative imagery makes Dora susceptible to being used by those who support the Arizona law.

As for the mug shot, it's been around since late last year, when Debbie Groben of Sarasota, Fla. created it and entered it in a contest for the fake news site FreakingNews.com.

Since debate over the Arizona law heated up the nation's immigration debate, it's been e-mailed and texted widely and used on signs at rallies.

"My intentions were to do something funny, something and irreverent," said Groben, who said she opposes Arizona's law. "I actually like the little kid."

The issue appears to have resonated little with Dora's biggest fans, the millions of parents and their children who seem mostly unaware of the discussion encircling their beloved cartoon.

Altamise Leach, who has three children, said Dora's ethnicity and citizenship are irrelevant.

The stay-at-home mom credits the cartoon with helping teach her children team work. She even threw her 3-year-old daughter a Dora birthday party, complete with a Dora-like adventure, Dora cake and a woman who dressed up as Dora.

"We have so many diverse cultures, let's try to embrace everybody," Leach said. "She puts a smile on my daughter's face, that's all I want."

Erick Wyatt said he never thought about Dora's origins and his three children never asked.

"I just thought she was a cartoon character that spoke Spanish," the Flint, Mich., man said.

[Jeffshadows]

I get the person making the fake cartoon for a contest but people intentionally spreading an image of a child ostensibly beaten by US law enforcement authorities for nothing more than crossing a line on a map as if to say: "Good!" or "Here, this is what *should* happen" are truly and irreparably sick. Just sick.

[sidhayes]

You think that all these people do is, "cross the line on a map"?

[Jeffshadows]

You think that all these people do is, "cross the line on a map"?

How amazing that the only thing from my reply that resonated was crossing a line on a map...

[Jim]

No, they not only cross a line on a map, they also contribute to the economy. Since most people only think of Mexicans as illegal immigrants, to keep it in that frame of reference, do you want to work in a slaughter house, on a lawn care crew, in rough construction, or any other of the low skill, low wage jobs these people do?
I wonder how many Irish or other European illegal aliens will have to worry about being asked for their papers if they visit AZ after July?

[azbackpackr]

They also pay millions into Social Security which they will never be able to collect. If we send them all home we may need to find another way to support the elderly...

[BobP]

They also pay millions into Social Security

Can you show me your source for the above statement? I find that interesting. I heard it was several billions.

[azbackpackr]

I honestly don't have a source, except that my family member recently was dating a guy who was here illegally. And this guy and his friends did talk about the fact that they are paying into Social Security. I don't know what the stats are, and I don't know how this would be found out, since these people are somehow getting paychecks and using SS#'s that don't belong to them. Of course, some are being paid in cash as well.

I've heard that sometimes they trade them around. Like this: a fellow will have a legitimate SS# but then he goes back to Mexico, so then he lets his friend use his name and SS number, since he isn't using it!

[sidhayes]

Ah..identify theft. Well, I suppose that is ok. I suggest that since you seem to support all sorts of illegal activity, why stop there. These people are apparantly poor. Why should they have to live cramped into small hovels hiding out when you and others could step in and help. It would be easy to find room in your houses for quite a few and when they are filled up perhaps you have a back yard where others could pitch a tent or something. All this would be far better for them than how they live now. Adding them to your insurance would be the next step as there are many families who need this. Many are pregnant and need your help. Won't you step up? But more is needed. I next suggest that you get together with your neighbors ( have a block meeting) and convince them also to help support these wayfayers. Think how much your neighborhood could do! And, of course, this enthusiasm could spread, maybe throughout the county and state. But more needs to be done. They need jobs. Not a lot of them to go around right now. But, maybe, you have a job and others you know, have one also. I suggest the next step is job sharing. If you own a company, this would be easy as you can just make full timers, part time, and put many vagabonds to work. If you do not owe a company, step up! Split your job with one of your guests who needs one. Perhaps even two could split your job. I know that this could reduce your income but there are plenty ( teeming millions) who do not have what you have. Put your money where your mouth is, support these criminal aliens by trumpeting them,while at the same time thumbing your nose at the "chumps" who stupidly went through the process of entering this country legally!