# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 478
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9544 "2024-01-23T23:12:39Z")
I agree with this, but the poll use the word illegal, and I wasn’t sure how to separate that out. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9545 "2024-01-23T23:16:20Z")
I was just curious. The right wing has been screaming about a crisis at the border. I live pretty far from our Southern Border, and there is no sign of any problem where I live. I was wondering if other people were noticing anything. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9546 "2024-01-23T23:21:27Z")
I used to hire a housekeeper that i thought was illegal (don’t ask/don’t tell) until she missed one day to take her citizenship exam. So… I have personally observed basically no effect of illegal immigrants. I mean, maybe some of my crops were picked by illegal aliens, but how would i know? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9547 "2024-01-23T23:23:53Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I live pretty far from our Southern Border, and there is no sign of any problem where I live. I was wondering if other people were noticing anything. I live in SoCal. There is not undocumented alien “problem”. They are a positive. There is a drug problem, and a homeless issue. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > I used to hire a housekeeper that i thought was illegal (don’t ask/don’t tell) I suspect my gardener, but who cares? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9548 "2024-01-24T00:15:20Z")
My mom was illegal when I was conceived, born, and raised. I enjoy existing, so that’s pretty much a lock for “I notice positive effects of illegal immigration in my day to day life.” ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9549 "2024-01-24T00:43:59Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I was just curious. The right wing has been screaming about a crisis at the border. Indeed. It seems to be an issue that some voters care about very much, and I’m curious where that comes from: their own experience? what the right wing media has told them to fear? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9550 "2024-01-24T01:48:40Z")
I believe the _perception_ (emphasis) is that somehow, the illegal immigrants are taking their jobs (but it’s not the ones they want), driving up costs ( perhaps some truth when it comes to affordable housing, but laughable in scale), taking excess benefits (“free” healthcare, housing and education costs, which again, laughable), and excluding them by speaking (and likely insulting them) in non-English! So 95% (or more) outright lies, with paranoia and propaganda smearing any little truth in the crisis into a Hyde-like version of itself. For myself, growing up in Southern NM, most of my classmates were second or third generation childen of illegal parents, most of whom had since pursued citizenship (or passed in the case of the third generation). Most of whom were very assiduous about pursuing the American Dream™ and (since I was in honors/AP classes) being the first in their families to go to college. Good people all. And the times I met the elder members of the family, they fully encouraged this - they happily considered themselves Americans, as that was what they had come here to _become_. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9551 "2024-01-24T02:58:48Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Good people all. And the times I met the elder members of the family, Yeah, I did a project for the Treasury on migrant farm workers- mostly about taxes. We carefully did not ask about immigration status. Other than being duped by some crooked tax preparers (usually they were also Notaries, since that is a trusted position in Mexico), they were extremely hard working, honest, tax paying people. They even invited me to share their lunches (often either the farmer or farm labor contractor provides lunches- that is the sole “benefit”.)… If you _knew_ these people you would not hate or fear them. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9552 "2024-01-24T05:01:48Z")
It’s been a Republican talking point for years. More than 2 decades ago, i had recently moved and wanted to research the candidates for state rep. I was concerned that there was a push to reinstate the death penalty (which i oppose.) So i called each of the two candidates and asked where they stood on the death penalty. I reached a staffer at both numbers. The Democrat told me she didn’t know the candidate’s position, but if i left contact info she would have the candidate get back to me. The Republican didn’t answer, and instead asked me if i wasn’t upset that that the Democrats might let illegal immigrants who lived in the state get the in-state tuition rate at the state college system. I asked him how many illegals went to college in state and how much it would cost administratively to make every student prove their citizenship status. I was trying to ask “how much does it actually cost us?” He wasn’t willing to engage in that line of questioning, and just hammered on how horrible it would be to let illegals get a discount. I asked again about the death penalty. He asked why i cared, when there was this much bigger problem with illegal immigrants getting subsidized. I didn’t have anything important to do that day, so i kept him on the phone for a while, thinking i might be preventing him from doing something more damaging. He was really up in arms about the horrible injustice that someone might be getting a benefit, despite being illegal. That was really the only political topic he was willing to talk about. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9553 "2024-01-24T05:51:59Z")
A line I once heard is that a Republican will spend five dollars to keep one dollar out of the hands of someone they don’t feel deserves it. Sounds about right. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9554 "2024-01-24T17:56:17Z")
Unlikely that one can effect sea change on a global basis without a lot of people thinking you a tyrant no matter what you do. I’ll just start that way and skip the subterfuge. My philosophical enemies will suffer greatly, and the world will be better without them. Trust me. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9555 "2024-01-24T18:09:12Z")
I doubt my epithet would actually be “the incompetent”, but it would probably be what i deserved. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9556 "2024-01-24T18:15:10Z")
I would’ve gone with “the Pragmatic,” but “the Just” will do. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9557 "2024-01-24T18:40:06Z")
I’d be happy with “The Former World Overlord” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9558 "2024-01-24T18:40:30Z")
As God-Emperor I shall be known to History as “The Stormbringer.” Beware my wrath, ye of little faith! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9559 "2024-01-24T19:38:52Z")
I would do my best to enact good laws, get rid of bad ones, and spend money in all the right directions (including but not limited to on non-human animals); but I would probably screw up. Voted that bureaucracy and ceremony bore the heck out of me, and for the rest of it “other”. Would at best be known as “at least she tried”; which wasn’t on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9560 "2024-01-24T20:49:30Z")
Yeah - I went for “the Good” only because “He meant well,” wasn’t an option. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9561 "2024-01-24T21:40:17Z")
“The Weird” would apply to me, and others here, I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9562 "2024-01-25T06:49:41Z")
Come on, guys. I realize we’d all start out doing our very best to improve the world and right wrongs and make everything fair and right and good always. But let’s be honest with ourselves. You can only work on doing that in a gentle, encouraging way for so long before you get frustrated and turn into a complete dictator. In my case, a dictator that was remembered for her incompetence. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2024, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/9563 "2024-01-25T08:53:45Z")
It’s not easy settling on an epithet. “The Impaler” is already taken. In my case, it would be “The Itchy”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=477) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=479)