Reply #135: I think you need to understand the meaning of "race baiting" before you use the term

[Chulanowa]

When talking of immigration, and subjects like the interaction between Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans in early America, race is certainly a factor. Pointing out that what you said is racist isn't race baiting. it's a simple statement of fact. Doesn't make you a racist, just means you're repeating something dumb.

You and I do agree that comparing migration from Latin America to colonization from Europe is wrongheaded; for starters, most of those people crossing the border are themselves Indians and mestizos. They are acting as individuals, rather than national representatives. They have no clout or force beyond their own pockets and their own knuckles.

My gripe with you is your apparent claim that there were no Native American nations, (while there was, apparently a singular European nation; maybe you're conflating England and Europe?). You say that you never denied that the natives had their own nations, so maybe you phrased your earlier statement poorly, because that's the message that comes out of it.

As for your main point on this thread, that the illegals are beign exploited, you're absolutely right they are. And it's their status as "illegals" that allows that. Making things harder for them won't stop the problem, it'll actually just make it worse, as these people get more desperate and willing to work for even lower wages. Relaxed immigration regulations - even if not on the level of my own favored position of open doors - are what is needed to reduce the problem you're talking about. The easier it is for immigrants to get the protections of a citizen, the harder it is to exploit them.