> Many of them don't WANT to be Americans. They want to be Mexicans that work in America.

The same goes for many legal immigrants. It's quite easy for someone to get Legal Permanent Residence status (a "Green Card") with no intention of becoming a citizen.

Case in point: me. I have yet to decide if I want to apply for citizenship when I'm allowed to (in about 2 more years). I certainly have no desire to give up my British citizenship, and as America has an odd attitude to dual nationality, I may well remain an LPR permanantly. Should I be villified for wanting to live in America, work here and pay taxes here but not vote?

> Prime example: There was a rally/demonstration a couple of weeks ago on Fresno State's campus. I didn't stay to listen long, finding the crowds more a nuisance in getting to class than anything else, but I did hear one speaker ranting about how her children had to say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. Golly, imagine having to say the Pledge of Allegiance in American schools!

How does it make sense for someone who is not a citizen of America to pledge allegiance to America? If you had been an American at school in the Soviet Russia (to choose an extreme example), would you feel comfortable being told to swear fealty to the Communist Party every day? In a limited sense, pledging allegiance to a foreign country can be considered an act of treason, even of you happen to be resident in that country.

wintermute