Reviews & Comments
Los Angeles, CA
re: re: it was a forced treaty that the white man -
12/20/2007One other thing I left out that should be noted. I have known Mexicans who came from the midwest, namely Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, and they are a completely different breed than the "raised brown fist Chicano Power" Mexicans who reside in California. California Mexicans (especially those in southern California) hold fast to the belief that California is still part of Mexico - that the US should accommodate them and that they should not have to assimilate. No other ethnic group in California of the Southwest has been given so much but has so little to show for it. On the other hand, Mexicans who live in the Midwest have "melted in" nicely to the regional culture at large. They have that classic twang in their speech just like other Midwesterners with no hint of that whining drawn out Los Angeles Mexican Spanglish. A Midwestern Mexican-American acquaintance of mine says he has nothing in common with Mexicans who live in California. He also said that when he visits Los Angeles Mexicans here don't believe he is Mexican because he's "too white" sounding. People don't realize that it's only the Southwestern and Pacific Coast Mexicans who will simply not let go out the notion that this territory once belonged to Mexico. Mexican immigrants to the Midwest, however, are far more likely to embrace the local culture while keeping their Hispanic culture alive at home (which is what most European and Asian immigrants did).
Los Angeles, CA
re: it was a forced treaty that the white man has -
12/18/2007The Los Angeles Mexican-American author who wrote "It was a forced treaty that the white man has done" on this site has unquestionably been brainwashed with the racist Chicano Power propaganda of the 1960s. The United States government compensated Mexico with 12 million dollars for the territory in the same way France was paid for the Louisiana Purchase. The author's bitter rhetoric is typical of California Latinos (i.e Mexicans) and is used as an excuse for their inability to successfully climb the social and economic ladder like all the other immigrant groups. To do so they feel will force them to lose their Mexican identity.
By the way, I am a second generation east coast Italian-American who has a great respect for other hard working Hispanics like Cubans, Argentinians, and even Puerto Ricans. These Latinos are far more driven to succeed in this country than Mexicans. And, for the historical record, the author speaks about Spaniards and Mexicans in the same breath. If he knew his history the would know that a real Spaniard is a white/Caucasian European. Mexicans, however, are not Spanish. They are a melting of white European Spanish blood with Native American Indian blood. Compare the face of a Spaniard and a Mexican, regardless of skin color, and it is patently clear that Mexicans are indeed Indian in appearance. The only thing Spanish about them is the language they speak. The fact that I speak English me ethnically British. In fact, the real Spaniards I've met despise it when Mexicans try to call themselves Spanish. Perhaps the Mexican author of the article at hand should forget all that Chicano Power brainwashing and learn a lesson from the other successful immigrant groups who've figured out how to be successful here in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, CA
Race is the common denominator -
7/31/2007I will not sugarcoat my view of Los Angeles with the politically-correct restraint seen in so many of the letters written on this site. If you're one of those star struck out-of-staters who is considering a move to L.A. and don't want your Hollywood dreams shattered about how "wonderful" life is here, please don't read what I have to say.
I've lived in L.A. my whole life and have witnessed first hand the steady decline of quality of life for the last 30 years. The the biggest reason for this is, unequivicably, the influx of illegal Mexican immigration (I told you not to read on if you didn't want to hear the truth). As a product of Italian immigrant grandparents I am in no position to criticize the necessary influx of immigration into America. As the saying goes, "Immigrants built this country." Mexicans (and I qualify this by stating that other Latino groups such as the El Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Cubans are in a completely different league. In fact they thumb their noses at Mexicans and are deeply insulted if assumed a member of that culture).
The biggest problem is that our political leaders, including our Mexican American mayor, have not only turned a blind eye to to the problem by not enforcing the laws, they've actually encouraged the wave of new illegals (which now outnumber 51% to 49%the caucasion, black and Asian ethnicities combined).
Many Mexican activists are hellbent on "reclaiming" what they believe was stolen from them 150 years ago (The truth is though that the U.S. duly compensated Mexico $30 million California through the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo).
The Mexicans are catered to and given incredible advantages never offered to earlier immigrants. Everything is provided in Spanish eliminating the need for assimilation. The data shows that children of Mexican background score far below whites (Middle Easterners), Asians, and Asian Indians. Over 70% can't pass a 6th grade high school exit exam. Graduation rate is barely 50%. The overwhleming majority of crimes, pervasive graffiti, and gang involvment comes from this particular Latino group. They truly believe that their immigration situation is unique and somehow different than that of other cultural groups. They insist they are more entitled to retain their old world culture than other immigrant groups. Interestingly, other ethnic groups like the Koreans have no trouble maintaining their language and culture but at the same time integrate themselves beautifully into the m
Thousand Oaks, CA
Low Crime Rate is Directly Related to Demographics -
7/17/2007Just connect the demographic dots to understand why Thousand Oaks is one of the safest cities in the U.S. and why its schools are top notch.
Los Angeles, CA
Not just Empty Whining -
6/27/2007I've been reading reviews from other cities, and a common theme is the nasty, negative comments posted by residents of those cities. Clearly those unhappy people believe that their lives are unfullfilling because the city in which they live is preventing them from being content.
For the record, I am a happy contented person. However, the quality of life in Los Angeles truly stinks. And, as a transplanted native of the northeastern U.S. I believe I am justified in my comments. Here's a basic laundry list why L.A. truly is a horrible place to live:
1. Illegal Mexicans are reclaiming Los Angeles and in the process are bringing their Third World lifestyle with them. God forbid someone complains and charges of racism are hurled.
2. The traffic is horrendous (no further comment)
3. The L.A. school system is substandard (mainly due to the children of illegal Mexicans here in California - 12 million to be exact).
4. The concept of diversity in Los Angeles is a farce. It cares not about European or Asian diversity, only Latino and African American.
5. The smog is unbelievably disgusting, particularly on 90 degree plus days when the inversion layer kicks in.
6. Yes, your are what you drive and people here love to let you know about their status via their cars. In fact, if you randomly count 25 cars driving past, at least 1 or 2 will be a Hummer and a half a dozen will be a Mercedes driven by a decidedly Middle Eastern or Korean looking person.
7. The cost of living here is about 50% higher than the average American city.
8. The natives here believe they know what real pizza is (yes, I'm Italian).
9. Roughly 50% of the population can be heard speaking a language other than English. For the record (again) I am bilingual in English and Italian but use only English in my public affairs.
10. Housing is outrageously expensive. I own my own home, modest as it is in an average middle class neighborhood. If I sold it I could move to practically any midwestern or eastern town and by a palace.
So, as a generally happy person, that's my take on L.A. And, it's not just empty whining.