(Editor’s note: This letter to the editor is in response to the column “From Long Island Wins” by Maryann Sinclair titled One Set of Facts, One Unavoidable Conclusion that appeared in the Farmingdale Observer on Friday, Nov. 18.)
I cannot wait to get my weekly edition of the Farmingdale Observer to see if there is a new fairy tale in there from Maryann Sinclair.
This week’s [Friday, Nov. 18] “once upon a time” story again tells us how lucky we are to have people that contribute to society here on Long Island. Since all people (excluding Native Americans) are immigrants and/or descendents of immigrants we are only complimenting ourselves.
In her fractured fairy tale she once again fails to mention legal vs. illegal immigration. Oh sorry, why be so technical? Don’t let facts get in the way of a good story, that’s why I call it a fairy tale.
I’ve written many times in rebuttal to Ms. Sinclair’s fairy tales. This time she cites studies. Interesting in her most recent fairy tale she states, “This report reminds us that undocumented (illegal) immigrants are estimated to pay $2,000 per family per year in New York State and local taxes.” Where can I sign up? Two thousand dollars, my property taxes alone are just under $13,000. I pay over six percent or more in personal income taxes to NY State.
This is the reason people like myself are fed up. It’s really not about immigration; it’s about fairness. People come to this country to make a better life for themselves and their families; I can certainly understand that. Just do it legally and pay your share. $2,000 doesn’t even come close.
This country for decades has allowed “non enforcement” of proper immigration to create a terrible problem. In her next installment of her ongoing fairy tale why doesn’t Ms. Sinclair write about how the immigrants that came here legally feel about the “illegals.”
Why doesn’t Ms. Sinclair write and work to change the laws to make it easier for people to properly immigrate here. All she does is defy existing laws and call them “racist.” When you have nothing to say and no rebuttal to a discussion you simple call the other party “racist.”
If they become legal they will have the right to vote and the right to elect people to support their points of view. Oh but in the fairy tale of Ms. Sinclair is easier to just blame the “racists.”
Ms. Sinclair, I’ll pay my $2,000 to New York State, I’m sure you’ll cover the rest for me. Thank you, my family and I would greatly appreciate it. I’m sure all my neighbors will love the idea also and would love to join our new club.
William Hartenstine. Farmingdale
