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I recently finished a book called "The Tortilla Curtain," contrasting the lives of a rich Californian family and a Mexican couple struggling to survive in the new world. As the immigration issue has taken a back seat thanks to our weakening economy, it made me re-evaluate how I felt about the problem.

Of all the political issues, the immigration dilemma is one I'm not quite decided on. On one hand, I think the population influx of Hispanics is out of control, and things need to change. But I also see how its borderline hypocritical of us to call them "immigrants" and to stop coming here. This is a country based on immigrants, where the only people who really have a right are Native Americans.

Well everyone has an idea for this debate, but I don't see this being solved in my lifetime, especially with far more critical situations to attend to (hello war, Middle East, Recession....).

Now, for the book....it was hard for me to get into at first. I couldn't agree with the Mexican couple, Candido and America. I couldn't really pity their bad luck when I felt it was their fault (kind of hard to ask for work in USA when the only English words you know are "No espick ingliss", but hey, to each their own). At other times, their string of misfortunes just broke my heart, and I just wanted them to find some stable source of money already so they could better themselves.

While the Mexicans were hard to relate to, the caucasion couple was worse. I COULD NOT STAND the couple. They were so naive and ignorant in dealing with others; it made me sick to think there are people who are just like them!

So with that in mind, I didn't get into the book until the devastating climax (read the book if you want to know). Once I got over that hurdle, the book came full circle and ideas just popped out.

"This isn't about coyotes, don't kid yourself. It's about Mexicans, it's about blacks. It's about exclusion, division, hate." p. 220, Unfortunately, this quote speaks so much truth about our society. It really is remarkable that we have elected a Black president, with people who can say these things.

"Get complacent, and you become a statistic." p. 221, Another very truthful quote, because the minute you stop fighting your cause, you become another drone.

"One (beer) would make him feel loose at the edges...but two would be glorious, two would be thanksgiving.", p. 254,
"It was as exciting as going to the toilet." p.336, I just like these quotes!