Cleaning House

Dear Mexican: Mexicans are angry that the United States might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these Mexicans. Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and done the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hardworking and honest — except for when I broke into your house." According to the Mexicans:

• You are required to let me stay in your house!

• You are required to add me to your family's insurance plan!

• You are required to educate my kids!

• You are required to provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do all of your yard work, because he is also hardworking and honest, except for that breaking-in part)!

• If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends — who will picket your house with signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there! It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hardworking and honest person, except for, well, you know, I did break into your house. And what a deal for me! Sucker! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced and bigoted behavior.

• Oh, yeah, I DEMAND that you learn MY LANGUAGE!!! So you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Señor Mexican, I respect your opinion on most things — unless you're screwing it up with all of your angry racism — but I thought I'd get your take on it and see if you've got the guts to print such propaganda that seems to be so contradictory to your belief system. Well, cabrón: You got the frijoles, ¿o qué?
Denver Dimwit

Dear Gabacho: "Angry" racism? My racism is rather jovial, Dimwit. And not only do I have the frijoles to answer your question, I have a whole olla.

• Mexicans will never do a job without prompting or prior negotiating, so your theoretical Bueno Samaritan arranged your house with your implicit approval.

• Nowhere in your narrative did I see evidence of you rejecting the labor the Mexican offered. Did you undo your beds and gunk up the dishes in protest? On that note, I've yet to hear about gabachos forsaking the cheap produce, late-night janitorial services and the many other pleasantries of American life brought forth by the sweat and strain of illegal labor.

• Mexican illegals are more than willing to pay for the services you cited, but your Republican amigos won't allow them to pay all the taxes that citizens do — until then, have you unmade your bed yet?

• And who says you have to learn Spanish? According to you, those protesting Mexicans made their demands in English.

A plea to all Know Nothings: Stick to stats — and is it too much to ask for you guys to use real ones, as opposed to whatever flashes on Lou Dobbs's teleprompter?