http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/24/states-weigh-letting-noncitizens-vote/ PORTLAND, Maine -- Like his neighbors, Claude Rwaganje pays taxes on his income and taxes on his cars. His children have gone to Portland's public schools. He's interested in the workings of Maine's largest city, which he has called home for 13 years.
There's one vital difference, though: Rwaganje isn't a U.S. citizen and isn't allowed to vote on those taxes or on school issues. That may soon change.
Been in Portland for 13 years. Apparently on some sort of visa. And he's not bothered to apply for citizenship - egen after immigrating because of "political strife" in his native Congo.
Abdirizak Daud, 40, moved to Minneapolis 18 years ago before coming to Portland in 2006. He hasn't been able to find a job. Some of his nine children have attended Portland schools, and he'd like to have a say in who's looking over the school system and the city, he said.
But between his limited English and the financial demands, Daud hasn't been able to become a citizen.
"I like the Democrats. I want to vote for Democrats, but I don't have citizenship," he said.
Been in the country 18 years and still can't (won't?) speak English. Which may have had some impact on his inability to find a job and the "financial demands" he finds impeding his ability to become a citizen. But since coming here
some of his nine children have attended public schools. Let's hope the others attended public school in Minneapolis as opposed to being female and thus not entitled to be educated.[OK, that was judgemental and supposes quite a bit. Maybe I should apologize.]
But he likes the Democrats and wants to vote for them. Gee, I wonder why?
The Latino guy who's the head cook at my favorite Chinese food place and who lives a few houses down from me came by the other day and told me he has just put in his paperwork to apply for citizenship. He has been here on a green card for about 7 years after being here illegally for the 5 preceeding years. I'm not going to go into why he should not have gotten a green card - I'm more focused on the fact that he took the chance and became legal. So for the last 5 years for sure (and he claims for the past 11) he's paid taxes and done all tye other stuff he's supposed to, but is still not allowed to vote. So why the change of heart and desire for citizenship? According to him, it's because he does not have a voice in how the place is run and he's not happy with how it's running.
So as best I can figure the Chinese folks who own the place where he works, who have been bringing relatives over for generations, have gotten to him and turned him into a rabid TEA Partier. Either that or his kid had a note sent home from school about her refusing to speak Spanish as her primary language.
Your thoughts on this trend to give the vote - in at least local elections - to non-citizens?
stay safe.