LEWISTON — The number of immigrant students learning to speak English and who are behind their peers academically has grown this year at the Montello Elementary School.
That prompted the Lewiston School Committee on Monday to approve hiring a sixth English language learner teacher at Montello and one English language learner ed tech.
Regular classes at McMahon, Martel and Farwell schools are growing and have created the need to hire three ed techs for each school, as recommended by Superintendent Leon Levesque.
In asking for more help to teach immigrant students, mostly Somalis, Levesque said Lewiston has "a number of new ELL students who have arrived at Montello who are at a level one, who need more intensive instructional assistance.”
A “level one” English language learner student means the student is two or more years below their English-proficient peers, explained director Sue Martin. To help those students improve, they need to be taught in groups of eight per English language learner teacher, she said.
“We're in a situation at Montello where every one of our ELL classes is full, and some students are still not being served,” Martin said, asking for the additional teacher.
School Committee member Sonia Taylor asked where students came from.
Martin said the students were unexpected and “new to the district.”
At Montello there are more English language learner students needing help compared to other elementary schools. At Montello there's a total of 258 English language learner students, with 119 of them at level one.
In other schools, Farwell has 20 English language learner students with three at level one; Geiger, 109 English language learner with 30 at level one; Martel, 15 English language learner students with three at level one; McMahon 82 English language learner students with 27 at level one. Longley has 177 English language learner students, but the number of level one students is not yet complete.
Overall, Lewiston's total English language learner elementary population is 661, up from 622 one year ago. The percentage of immigrant students at Montello is more than 20 percent.
When asked why so many English language learner students attend Montello, Levesque said students typically go to school in the neighborhood where they live. “That's where they live." The students “are new kids to us, new arrivals,” he said.
When asked if there's a concern about the quality of education for all Montello students, considering the number of students two years or more behind, Levesque said that's why more staff is being hired.
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I think my point is that we
I think my point is that we can fix the welfare system, the Somalis could get jobs, speak english and assimulate like you say yet many of you will still be complaining for one reason or another how they are somehow ruining your way of life. And I will still have to hear people say racist crap about them when I am walking down the street and for some reason many people seem to think this is ok.
I'm a Franco-American and I know what my Grandparents and parents had to go through. And I know what other immigrant groups had to go through but this is no reason to think that each immigrant group that comes into this country has go through the same crap as if the USA is a frat and they all have to go through some Hazing ritual.
See they should assimulate but even the Franco-Americans had their Little Canada, many of them still speak french, many are still devote Catholics. America would be void of culture is we all lost the culture of our ancestors as soon as we cross the border into the USA. The only truly thing that is American is our freedom.
I thought we as Mainers & Americans were better then that.
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Susan2, are you sure they don't salute our flag? They are here in our country and they don't salute our flag? Evidence anyone? Is this true?
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The point has been missed. I understand that tax payers are frustrated, I am a Lewiston tax payer also. My children are attending Lewiston Schools and as an involved parent I know that teachers work very hard to make my child a productive member of OUR community. Due to my schedule I can not volunteer during the day but I am there to help out any other time. A big thank you to all the teachers out there who put in lots of extra hours educating the students of Lewiston.
Local schools are in need of help from dedicated volunteers every day for students to succeed. It just takes an hour a day from a few to work one on one with students helping them achieve academically.
ELL students are learning just like other students, they just have more to learn. If you have a few hours and can make a commitment to volunteer weekly and consistently please call your local school and do so. You will be amazed at the satisfaction you get from helping out.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.ronh66? If you call someone else an idiot....
then you should at least use the correct words. When you say "Your an idiot" instead of "You're an idiot", it does in fact make YOU look like an idiot.
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Every immigrant group at first sets up their own communities. There's French, Irish, Jewish and Asian neighborhoods in most large cities. The Somali culture is very different than ours so it is more obvious.
If we want to help we need to put a little more thought into who were are electing than we usually do. In each election we just rubber stamp the incumbents or a particular party. We need to put some thought into it.
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Pages and pages of vitriolic rants, complaining about a social welfare system I'm convinced most people here know nothing about.
And for some reason it seems many here feel it's the Somali communities fault. Read through all of these horrid comments and you'll get the general notion that most people here truly want to blame some group — any group, for Maine's dire financial situation. And today it's Maine's Somali families turn to bear the brunt of all your ire.
But do any of you know any Somali families here in Maine? If you had, you might form different opinions than the ones I'm reading here today.
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You're saying that the money spent on all the population that come from Catholic Charities, has not strained the city/state?
if you think that then you are NOT a rational person and just another Liberal.
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Oh joy ................ I could PUKE!!!!
At least with our economy as it is, people are being more sane about where money goes and how much money there is to spread around.
Liberals have ruined this state and we have to stop their madness! Make the people bringing Refugees here or allow illegals to come here, PAY FOR THEM TOO!!! Why should we??? They OWE US not the other way around! I am a realist, the number don't work.
Disclaimer: I like LEGAL immigrants. I like people who go through the process, unlike Refugees and illegals.
Refugees & illegals do not salute our flag, like our country, have to learn our history and language BEFORE coming in THUS they are not gracious for us savings their lives with our PRECIOUS TAX MONEY and gifts. They think they are entitled to it!!!
We cannot save the world. Google "The Gumball Presentation" or get it on YouTube. Learn about what we are doing instead of continuing to do the same stupid things.
Stop The Madness
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That includes you, Susan2 - and don't you forget it.
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So because white immigrants essentially destroyed the state by ever coming here in the first place, we should now allow all other immigrants to do even more damage by becoming completely reliant on the state government that the terrible white man developed?
I’m not saying we need to kick anyone out, or prevent anyone from coming here. What I am saying is we need to make it less attractive for leeches to come live off our social services, when we can barley afford to support our Maine-born leaches.
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Good one!
I agree .......
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simple minds agree.
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Calling people who fled a war torn country; leaches, cockroaches etc. You are bitter and filled to the rim with hate. What have these people taken from you? Or what did you not achieve that you are now blaming others for? I suggest anger management followed by volunteer work...
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I never called anyone who “fled a war-torn country” anything – I am calling the hundreds…THOUSANDS of people who “fled” a bankrupted social service program with the sole intention of “earning” a higher state funded paycheck leeches…Parasites… because that is what they are. It doesn’t matter if they came from Somalia or anywhere else. If their intent was too manipulate our system and take advantage of an overly generous DHHS, I don’t want them here.
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I am so sick of hearing that excuse.....Their country is war torn because of them....So that gives them the right to travel state to state and suck the welfare system dry....No other country invaded somalia it is a civil war they are fighting amongst them selfs....If the US would stop getting involved in everyone elses problems and take care of our own problems maybe we could back back on our feet.....
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I agree whole heartedly ..... We need to keep our noses and business and money in this country taking care of what is here. I for one am sick and tired of supporting not only this state and the people who will not or dont wont to work, and this out of control welfare system with no limits on it. When is this insanity going to end ? I drove down Lisbon Street (uugghh) yesterday and NOT to my surprise there were many Somali men just roaming around. What is wrong with them ? why can't they get a job and support their huge families, why is it that the tax dollars that me and my husband pay have to support them and their brood of kids ? Civil war in their country is their problem, deal with it. Bringing them here will not solve the problems over there. All it does it create hardship on the working tax paying citizens of the State Of Maine.
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SCREW all other countries! Bring everyone military home! EVERYONE! Put them around our 4 borders and start, for once, protecting America!
What is wrong with Liberals brains. Do you know math? Our state and country along with 47 other states, are going down. (2 are ok.)
We will be a banana republic and see the help America gets then! We are a stupid, naive, and gullible people and have forgot to take care of our own.
What does a hungry kid think when he reads you're feeding kids in other countries, THAT HATE US???
America should be PRIOTITY ONE! Then help others with YOUR OWN PAYCHECK! NOT THE GOVERNMENT! That is my money too and I am sick and tired of the fools in Washington WASTING IT! Private money and business should be the sourse of charity NOT America's empty pocketbook.
Is that money voted on or does Obama just write a check? He's been supplimenting his homeland for billions. They are his relatives, hum, maybe all that money sent to Kenya should be checked out MSNBC!
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The same right that gave your ancestors a boat ride over...
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I too agree it is unfair to hire teachers to provide English services to the Somali kids when other programs in school are being cut due to lack of funding and tightening the belt. When programs that have been in existance for so long, mostly the "unpopular ones" such as art, music,theatre are completely abolished yet we turn around and hire English teachers ? This is completely unfair and reverse discrimination to the kids of the community who who born here and their parents work and actually paid in taxes.
I find it disgusting that a group of people can come into our communities and dictate to us how things should be. Damn Catholic Charities for creating this to begin with. Let them support the Somali community from the monies they collect evey week at offering. I have not and will not step foot in any of the catholic churches ever again
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.So you suggest we teach all other subjects in Somali??
It's more cost-effective to teach the Somali's English. And also the Law.
Are you suggesting we break the law? Which other laws do you find 'Optional?' Spousal Abuse, perhaps?
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If they can't speak english then they don't go to school til they learn it.....Our kids have to have certain skills before they start school....why not them?????
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What 'skill' do our children have to have???
Those without a certain 'skill' or 'ability' may be considered 'disabled' and attend specialized classes; they are not excluded from 'school.'
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"Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" —George W. Bush; Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
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If a child of 5 yrs old is not at a certain level the parents have to wait til the child is 6 before starting school....That is why they attend preschool...So the somali kids should have to attend a english speaking program (PAID BY THE SOMALI COMMUNITY)before they are allowed to enter public schools......
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.So 'Pre-school" isn't 'Schoo?l'
Like 'pre-ejaculate' isn't ejaculate....... ;)
I hope you don't teach birth control classes.........
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You should go to somalia and see how your treated there!!!!!
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Obviously there are a number of selfish folk here who fail to understand the concept of "Enlightened Self-Interest" as expressed by Adam Smith.
And this means what?
Those who 'act to further the good of others' (in this case our recent immigrants) will actually act to futher their own self-interests. Immigrants have almost always been integrated into our society as productive, useful members - except when we tend to kill or enslave them - then the process is somewhat painful and takes a bit longer.
We didn't do the best job of the world integrating the Native Americans once we were on top of the ladder, and we pretty well blew it on the African-Americans - though we're on the right track now. The French, Germans, Scandinavians, Italians, have been fairly well assimilated now - and even though we legally excluded them for many years - the Chinese are doing one bang-up job. Indians and Pakastanis are admiinstering to us in many of our medical facilities - along with other races - and it certainly is obvious that old Adam Smith knew what the hell he was talking about.
Now exactly what kind of Commie Socialist was Adam Smith?
A Scotsman, he wrote "Wealth of Nations" back in 1776 - the foundation of modern 'Free Market' economic theory. From him, capitalism flowed.
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So what you propose is that we turn a blind eye to the abuse and manipulation of the states welfare programs while our economy crumbles trying to support them, all in hopes that one day the recipients will “see the light” and become productive members of society?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Nice "Making Stuff Up" - K0NPHL1C7 - But you can drop a dime...
I warn against throwing out the baby with the bath water. It could have been you before you learned to walk, talk, and take care of yourself.
You can alienate the hell out of these people so they go back where they came from, and help plot to terrorize us.
Let us know how you make out with the Welfare Fraud and Abuse you report. --> http://www.maine.gov/ag/crime/crimes_we_prosecute/welfare_fraud.shtml
Welfare Fraud
The Welfare Fraud Prosecutor within the Economic Crimes and Civil Rights Division of the Department of the Office of the Attorney General prosecutes criminal cases of fraud committed against any of the welfare programs administered by the Maine Department of Human Services (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ("TANF," formerly "AFDC"), Additional Support for People In Retraining and Employment ("ASPIRE"), Food Stamps, MaineCare, etc.).
The only exception is fraud committed against the MaineCare program by providers of services that are paid for by MaineCare. Fraud by MaineCare providers is prosecuted by the Healthcare Crimes Unit within this division. Anyone wishing to report the types of fraud prosecuted by the Welfare Fraud Prosecutor should call the Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services during normal business hours at 287-2409.
A caller reporting such fraud may decline to identify him or herself so as to remain anonymous, but that may hinder the effectiveness of the investigation.
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It has absolutely nothing to do with race, yet minorities will use the race debate and a means to corner objectors by painting them as racists.
As I said, I don’t care if you came from Africa, Canada, Oklahoma, Iran or the gawddamn moon – If your intent is to manipulate the system so you can receive the maximum benefits whilst contributing the minimal amounts, you are a parasite and should not be rewarded. What makes it WORSE, is when these parasites come from elsewhere and leech the system dry, and move away without EVER contributing to society.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.K0NPHL1C7 wants immigrants to accept 'Responsibility?" WTFO!!
K0NPHL1C7 - You're posting on here that the Immigrants are using and abusing the systems - and you lack the moral fiber and guts to even sign your work with your actual name!!! WTFO!!??
And you condemn other people for not taking responsibility for what they do!!! What a sniveling, wretched hypocrite to play that game!!
Grow a set and come out of your basement - and perhaps we'll take you seriously.
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I’ve been using the internet long enough to know how foolish it is to post personal information on any public webpage. But hey, what do I know?
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And that fools who don't sign their work still use the Internet.
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Are you trying to argue that it is somehow more neble for me to paste my personal information on the internet?
Internet 101 buddy. You fail.
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And you pizz and moan about the immigrants. Then you get on here and throw any old words around without being responsible for them; great example you set for them. You obviously can't handle the heat as you're complaining about the kitchen.
Numerous folks have their names here and no one screws with them.
Quick, Duck!! It's your shadow!!
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Can't make it any clearer.
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kj, you might take your own advice and *read* Brian's posts and those to which he was responding.
You attribute a phrase to him--and condemn him for it--when he is just quoting another poster. He uses quotation marks--correctly--to indicate this usage. If you can read Reason's post (the one to which Brian is originally responding) and not see even a hint of racism, that is very telling, in my opinion.
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I've already responded to Brian regarding the "scumbag" comment. He used it in a response to me and I didn't realize I needed research his responses.
In any case, there is plenty of racism when it comes to the attutudes toward Somalis, but not everyone, or even most, that complain are racist. Conversely plenty of those that like to throw the term around, use it to shut off debate, or use it to justify their situation, are themselves racist. Every large immigrant population has gone through the same assimilation phases and race wasn't then, and shouldn't be, the issue.
To act like there isn't problem isn't addressing it and isn't validating that others may have legimate points.
For what it is worth. I don't care that the Somalis, or any other legal immigrant population, have come to our area. My gripe is with the system and the Federal Government for putting this in our lap and expecting everyone to think it is great.
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That was supposed to be a reply to kj's 8:50; and the two parties involved have already corrected the misunderstanding.
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They should have to pay for their kids to learn english...Not the taxpayers...And as far as them opening their own businesses....Where do you think the money came from for that????They did not earn it thats for sure.....It is time their free ride comes to an end...and if they can't make it in the work force then go home!!!!!!
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So help them out. You selfish or something?
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They get way more help then they deserve....I would not help them at all except maybe get them plane tickets home....They are nothing but a burden on the state.....
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Fill in the blanks here so we know what you're talking about.
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Catholic Charities should be shut down! Then go back to the successful model they had when I was a kid.
The CHURCHES sponsored a family and got them on their feet! Our town fixed up an old house and they helped. They worked at LL Bean. They were Vietnamese Refugees back then. They were a hard-working SUCCESSFUL population to come here and ASSIMILATE AND TEACH EACH OTHER ENGLISH!!!
Government needs to stay out of the process! It was successful back then, they learned English and where taken under a whole communities wings... This method CC uses is FULL of CORRUPTION within the Refugees and within both Governments and the group is political and not Catholic or a Charity! (They are like the Fed, not government and not a bank.. )
It is the demise of my state, along with illegals and Liberals. They should have to be studying English, our history, and our LAWS while on a list to come. They should not be in line unless they can speak English. This is NOT our burden to bear. The system should be the same as the one LEGAL Immigrants follow. They have to PROVE they can stand on their own 2 feet and not SPONGE off towns, and Governments.
Go ahead and criticize this model veritas!
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They get their housing,food,car and anything else they need for nothing.....They deserve what they put in....and if that is nothing then they deserve NOTHING!!!!!
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No facts - only "Opinion." And like "A-Holes" Everyone has one. You tipped your hand.
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And what facts do you have?????Everyone knows that a very limited amount of these people work...So where do they get their housing,food,cars ect.....Welfare is where they get it....
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The fact that I have is that you cannot back that up.
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Just look around the city...Anyone with any common sense can see whats goin on....
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.it is very interesting when I
it is very interesting when I go shopping at walmart and see their baskets full of food and I am scrimping to save every penny with no extras. the burden of these people have fallen on us tax payers which causes resentment. Most of their attitude is that they deserve this for what they have been through. We have many down and out people right here in Lewiston Auburn that we should help first. Lewiston and Auburn have provided the best housing in the city. All the housing that they live in is mostly new. Time to take care of our own and stop paying taxes for Catholic Charities decisions. It never ends there are 10,000 more that are headed to the base at Brunswick that was closed. Brunswick will fix up all that housing and it will be for outsiders not our own. Remember to vote in Nov to see if some "change" will happen
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A number of United States Citizens have written that they are ashamed of how the truly disabled are treated and forced to live because we do not provide adequately for them. It was agreed that the truly disabled should be receiving 10 times what they recieve now but, because of all the benefits that go to illegals and to those who should not be receiving benefits, who abuse the system like those being discussed here, we are unable to provide for those truly deserving and in need as we morally and ethically should be. Disabled United States Citizens, veterans and non-veterans alike are forced to live in deplorable conditions as animals, while these people live as kings and queens popping out non-english speaking baby after non-english speaking baby, not contributing to society in anything remotely resembling a positive way, and any one who speaks up is called a bigot. That is wrong. These are able bodied human beings. If they do not want to work, they do not need to be in this country.
This morning I was thinking about my father and grandmother and somethings they taught me, like you have to pick your battles. We have our own battles here in the United States that we need to be fighting like providing for our veterans and truly disabled. Some here would have our attention diverted to contras, triads , etc that are not our battles. I am not suggesting we be isolationist, I am saying we have to be picking our battles and the battles that we need to pick first are the battles that benefit United States Citizens. I don't see anyone looking to help us, do you?
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these people arent new to the US. most have come from a 10 year stint in atlanta. these children were born here in the US. why are they needing an english lesson? they were immagrants 20 years ago how long does it take to assimilate?
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They don't speak English among themselves or at home.
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First, You state "There is something very wrong with a culture who will move bounce around too different host cities, staying only long enough to exhaust social service benefits before moving on to the next free meal." Yet I still see the group you complain about living here in Lewiston creating their own community and starting businesses.
Second, you state "At least the scumbag white folk who are abusing Maine's welfare system are Mainers." How do you know they are Mainers. Have you been check their ID?
Third, the Somalis are living in Maine so wouldn't that make them Mainers too.
Fourth, you when you say "At least the scumbag white folk who are abusing Maine's welfare system are Mainers." It proves that you truly don't care about the abuse in the welfare system but just want to discriminate against a group you don't like. And that makes you a racist biggot and I'm not saying that to try to make you feel bad etc I'm just stating a fact.
If you think the welfare system needs fixing that is fine but if we are going to judge everyone who gets social services on how worthy they are where will it stop. Should I beable to tell people English speaking Anglo-saxin males who have lived in Maine for generations that they shouldn't get welfare? After all it should have the easiest chance at getting a job.
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On your first point:"They are creating thier own communities and starting businesses". Do you not see the problem with this? You are absolutely right they are starting thier OWN communities rather than JOIN our community.. They should be making an attempt to take part in the community that is here rather than create thier own community within, yet separate from the existing one. Maybe these Somali parents should be learning and teaching thier children english at home from birth along with thier native language to better prepare thier kids for an education, yet they dont. They would rather put the burden on the school department to teach thier kids what they should be taking responsability for.I know that when my French ancestors came here they made it a point to learn english and teach it to thier kids so that they would have every advantage in thiere education and not be 2 years behind other kids thier age.. These are the frustrations people have.. Thier lack of participation and interest in thier kids education along with the sense of entitlement that it is the somone elses responsability is the fuel to the fire that is burning our tax dollars.. Also if you would spend time in thier community, bearing witness to how they drain the social resources you would better understand the contempt in the community..
Second point: Mainer or Immigrant, leaching off the system is a problem regardless of skin color or immigrant status... It is undeniable that the abuse is rampant and things need to change. I have personnally witnessed the abuse by both groups. They know they are doing it and they take advantage of every opportunity to take something for "free". But its not free. The taxpayer flips the bill. In a time when close to 70% of Mainers is getting social services of some kind, we as taxpayers need to put our foot down on abuse and fraud... The remaining 30% of non benifiting taxpayers cannot afford to sustain these benefits... It is basic math when you look at the numbers... It WILL bankrupt us..
Third point: The use of the term Mainer was meant to infer that they were born in Maine. If thier kids are born here then yes technically they are Mainers, However they do not self identify as Mainers. They self identify as somali Americans NOT american somalians. This is what they are taught from the elders.. I can respect ethnic pride, but National Pride is just as important and more important to some..
Fourth point: ALL WELFARE FRAUD IS BAD. Not just the Somali abuse of the system.. However add affirmative action to the equasion.. If a white family applies for services at the same time as a minority(somali) family, affirmative action dictates that the Immigrant family gets services first.Its not based on a merrit system or on whether the recipient has ever payed into the system or on the basic first come first serve basis. This is why nonimmigrants needing services are upset. Some of them have been tax paying citizens for years who have fallen on hard times and now they need services from a system they have paid into for years and they get pushed back in line to make way for those immigrants benefitting from affirmative action... Wouldnt that upset you if you were out of work and had mouths to feed.... Im not gonna sugar coat this and say that there is No bigotry going on here but I Genuinely feel that the bigotry is the exception and NOT the rule to this debate.. Using the racist card here is really uncalled for and if you really would look into how the services are provided you would see why so many are upset and want the abuse by all abusers to stop. I understand the tendency to make this a race issue since the system makes it a race issue through affirmative action..
Remember this, it is not the people (white,black,pink,blueyellow) who make it a race issue. Its the government that brings race into the equation with priority put on immigrants recieving services and non immigrants getting pushed back in line..
The desire to continue to enable this sense of entitlement through affirmative action has got to come to an end.. It is these programs that continue to stoke the fire of division by race/skin color. We, as a country need to stop living in he past. Why should generations of today or tomorrow have to continue putting priority on minority recipients of affirmative action benefits. It seems like a system of guilt payments established by the government... Well maybe 80 years ago the ancestors of todays black man was oppressed and enslaved, However this is not the practice of today. When will enough time have passed? When will it be enough to just have the same opportunities as the next guy rather then needing a special system to give them an edge and instill the sense of entitlement that many have..
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FYI I was replying to K0NPHL1C7's comment.
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Call me a bigot if you want to, you’re opinion means nothing to me. I don’t care “where” they come from, I can that they come here. They could be from Iceland, Mexico, Somali, Canada… If they are moving from place to place in an attempt to manipulate the social service programs and take advantage of the welfare system, they are no better than a maggot. Parasites sucking the donor dry. In this case that donor is the state of Maine. I just hope the voters smarten up and something is done to discourage the abuse, then we will see them flee lick a cockroach in the light.
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Businessmen, financiers and capitalists - mostly Republicans.
Who do you think moved American jobs to India, Tawain, Mexico and China for for cheaper labor costs?
Yep, Conservatives - the guys who your Republican buddies are beholden to and who'se interests you keep voting for and screw you........
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It was Clintons NAFTA that ruined all our business. Being global brought more disease, animals, insects and other things not suppose to be here.
Remember that Bush was not a Conservative, he was, and is a RINO. As with Collins and Snowe, Bush helped GREATLY with taking this country down. Hopefully after this election cycle many RINO's will go extinct. Except Helathcare The So-Called-Senators were the deciding votes on all that gives us over to the Marxists/Socialists/Communists
Companies are lured there by profit. Period! Trade with China is killing our country. They won't play fair.
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http://useconomy.about.com/od/tradepolicy/p/NAFTA_History.htm
"When Was NAFTA Started?:
NAFTA was signed by President George H.W. Bush, Mexican President Salinas, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1992. It was ratified by the legislatures of the three countries in 1993. The House approved it by 234 to 200 on November 17 and the Senate by 60 to 38 on November 20. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on December 8, 1993 and entered force January 1, 1994. Although it was signed by President Bush, it was a priority of President Clinton's, and its passage is considered one of his first successes. (Source: History.com, NAFTA Signed into Law, December 8, 1993.
How Was NAFTA Started?:
The impetus for NAFTA actually began with President Ronald Regan, who campaigned on a North American common market. In 1984, Congress passed the Trade and Tariff Act. This is important because it gave the President "fast-track" authority to negotiate free trade agreements, while only allowing Congress the ability to approve or disapprove, not change negotiating points. Canadian Prime Minister Mulroney agreed with Reagan to begin negotiations for the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in 1988, went into effect in 1989 and is now suspended due to NAFTA."
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Clinton had no power to send businesses away.
Corporations did that. Their boards voted on it.
You obviously confuse political power and corporate power - though the line blurs when it comes to the Republican Party.
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Your the pot calling the kettle black.
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Care too elaborate? I mean, not knowing me are you going to assume that I do not work, do not pay taxes and abuse the states welfare system?
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Or are you simply resorting to name calling because deep down you know what I say is true.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I didn't do any name calling.
I didn't do any name calling. You called people "maggots" "Parasites" "cockroachs" and I just said thats like the pot calling the kettle black.
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No name calling? You may want to re-read your posts, Brian. Name calling abounds.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I likened the habits of these
I likened the habits of these people to that of any parasitic creature, because they similarities are undeniable.
Parasites migrate to a host that will provide them the greatest amount of benefit (food, shelter) with the least amount of effort. They then consume all recourses offered by said host with little regard to the well-being of the host itself, until the benefit no longer outweighs the effort required to live off the host, and they move on to the next.
Does this sound familiar? People flocking in droves to certain cities/states that provide the largest amount of “aid” for the least amount of work, only to put such a strain on the host state that it can no longer sustain the programs and they have to cutback… And the people move on…
No you imply that I am somehow similar to this type of person, and I ask you why you would draw such a conclusion based on the limited information you have. I mean my generalization was directed to no person in particular, only those who have committed to a lifestyle that which I described.
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I just reported your comments as abusive and there is no need to explain why.
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I got your report but I am leaving the comment up because while it may be offensive to some, it does not violate our commenting policy.
Everyone, please keep in mind that we will not tolerate racist or disrespectful language.
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At the very least, that comment is clearly disrespectful and I agree it should be removed. Please reconsider?
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Where's Superman? Did he take a job with another school system or did he decide to stay put?
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My guess is the parents of these children came to Lewiston because of the abundance of employment opportunities we have here, plain and simple.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Oh, yes..jobs are everywhere.
Oh, yes..jobs are everywhere.
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They came to Lewiston as they didn't have to feel inferior to anyone.
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That was nasty. You can't really mean that.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Then you haven't read the book on Marsden Hartley....
Which describes Lewiston as a "Medium sized city with a world-class inferiority complex"......
Go see my buddy Rick Speer at the Library. They might have a copy. Forgot the title (I sold my copy) it's a quarto binding.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.They came here because the
They came here because the city could get matching funds from the feds to renovate the housing that was in shambles and otherwise to be torn down...Of course the landlords jumped on it.. They got to keep thier bulidings and get them renovated practically for free.. It was all about money on all sides... Come here and we will give you housing under section 8 and plenty of welfare to go around.. The city of Lewiston got its matching funds to beautify the downtown area as part of the city's re-beautification project for the gateway(as they call it) to Lewiston... Now what? Noone bothered to see the burden that would fall on the taxpayers in the long run... And now we pay the price... With few limitations on welfare it has become a new generation of recipients with fewer and fewer paying into the system... Something has to change.. Its not about race... It comes down to fiscal survivability... We cannot sustain the current welfare programs and it needs fixing.. Regardless of who the recipients are..
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Well stated, KD
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When will we learn that you just can't throw money at a problem and expect it to be fixed! Oh does the city get reimbursed for the teachers hired for the English as a Second Language Instructors (that is what they were called when I went to school) just as we call Bi-Polar (manic/depressive)personalities today. Giving fancy or different names does not change the situation. Most of these students and their families come to the state of maine because of our EASY welfare roles in which there is no time to wait, just sign up and get your benefits. Workfare is what is needed, not welfare.
Do you realize that the School Committee of Lewiston has to pay the teachers for these 660 students and in doing so it has to take the money away from other accounts to pay for added staffing. Let's imagine that there were no ELL teachers needed. This would save the city roughly 1.23 million per year...yes, that much and while the city waits a year for the state to reimburse this amount as it is considered special education funds that amount is supposed to be given back at 100% the following year. In the meantime, the city takes funds from reserve accounts, etc to fill these gaps.
New students arrive because we have a minority group in the Lewiston area who are Somali
s and of course we ask how did they get here. The Catholic Charities of Maine is responsible for the importation of these people to Maine. I have not seen any positive results in having this new minority present. Some would argue that we saved their lives by getting them out of their home country. I wonder if this is accurate. What have they contributed to our community in a positive manner since their arrival? Reason needs to see that these minorities are contributing and no, we are not interested in the fact that they enhance us in a broad worldly knowledge of other cultures and races. If they receive welfare, what are they doing to make Lewiston or Auburn a better place for all of us to live?
If they don't add to the community, what are they doing here. Oh, I know they are here to bleed the local and state welfare systems dry. This is not a bigot speaking it is a voice of concern and reason. Do not be swayed by liberal tendencies. Ask for an honest return for your money. Wouldn't Lewiston be better off putting that 1.23 million somewhere where it could do good? It doesn't come out of your city taxes, but does come from state revenues.
Consider!
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Reason writes: "I have not seen any positive results in having this new minority present."
Didn't some group say the same damn thing about your ancestors when they got off the boat??
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.You complain when if they
You complain when if they don't know english and now you complain when they try to learn english. Sure the welfare system in Maine needs to be fixed but seems like the only thing you don't like about it is the race of some of the people being helped. The welfare system was like this before the somalis came here and no one complained.
The only reason you complain now is because you are racist plan and simple. It is obvious from the statement "Reason needs to see that these minorities are contributing". Just because you say you your not a bigot doesn't make it true.
There is a low-income project at the end of my street which seems to house white english speaking people are you going to knock on their door and ask them what they have done for the city? The kids is the public schools are there because of our tax dollars are you going to ask them what they are doing for Lewiston or Auburn?
Should I beable to ask what you have done for Lewiston or Auburn?
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Brian, I disagree that no one
Brian, I disagree that no one has complained about Maine's easy welfare system prior to the Somalis coming. Many have been complaining for years, long before the current situation. The problem isn't that they come, in my opinion, the problem is that the Federal Government allows easy immigration for some groups but doesn't provide the local funds to acclimate them to our society. It is not fair for a local economy to bear this burden alone.
The welfare system should be revamped so that it is not a way of life but just a short term solution.
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If I thought this was the only reason these people are complaining I would have no problem but when the questions about our welfare system come up not as a response to a article about welfare but a article called "Immigrant student numbers grow at Montello." Then people make racist remarks such as they "needs to see that these minorities are contributing." Or they call an entire group of people as "parasitic" yet they don't seem to mind the "the scumbag white folk" that leach off the welfare system because they assume since they are white that they must be Mainers. Go ahead and fix the welfare system but I'm not going to stand by and let a bunch of bigots think their points are valid.
After all this country had been through a civil war, the civil rights movement, the fact we all come from immigrants and the fact that the city of Lewiston has already gone through racist attitudes against French immigrants it scares me that we still have to deal with racist. But not only that they seem to be proud that they are racist.
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Did Tron change his name?
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Your first sentence is very telling, in my opinion. You are assuming the reason people are complaining is because of race. Why? Maybe you should look in the mirror to discover the answer. You are blindly dismissing comments because you are focusing on one thing rather than the actual problem, and there is a problem.
Who's actually the racist in this hypothetical situation? The person who makes a comment, and never mentions race. Or the person who states that the comment was only made because the people they are commenting on are black.
It is unfair to label everyone that complains about their taxes going up, or the quality of the education in their schools going to down, a racist. The same compaints were made when the Irish and French came to Lewiston and the complaints, while the same, had nothing to do with race. Your "the scumbag white folK" comment shows racism on your part.
As long as our welfare system is available to be abused then there will be those that will, no matter what color, religion or ethnic group. Except the Irish. LOL ( that was a joke).
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You obvious only read my comments or else you would have noticed I was quoting K0NPHL1C7 when I said "the scumbag white folK." Reread everyone's comments.
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You are correct. I didn't realize that you didn't origiate that comment. Sorry.
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There is something very wrong with a culture who will move bounce around too different host cities, staying only long enough to exhaust social service benefits before moving on to the next free meal. It is parasitic and it needs to be contained. Call me a biggot, call me a racist, I don't care. At least the scumbag white folk who are abusing Maine's welfare system are Mainers.
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