The illegal aliens are just trying to make a

living. They should not be held morally culpable

for their role in this situation.

On the other hand, legally, they should not

even be here, if we want to get technical about

it. In a legal sense.

So why are they here? Because employERS can

rip off a greater profit or a richer lifestyle

by paying less to an illegal alien without any

rights, than if employERS had to pay the kind

of wages and respect the kind of rights that

American citizen workers would require and demand.

The employERS, and especially the Upper Class

who structure this system, are morally culpable.

I recently read that Mayor Nagin is really a

Republican who re-registered as a Democrat-of-

convenience just 2 years ago in order to be

electable for mayor in the heavily Democratic

city of New Orleans. Could some other letter

writer tell us whether I am confused about that?

If Nagin is a stealth-Republican, and also if

he is rich and connected to the Elite Ruling Class

of New Orleans, then he is part of the Social Class which saves money by hiring illegal aliens,

and by suspending Davis-Bacon, and so forth.

The answer to all this would be savage sanctions against employERS of illegal aliens,

savagely and zealously enforced, to create a

labor shortage here in order to force up wages

for the citizen lower class at the expense of

the upper class.

Having been in New Orleans since the Hurricane and a resident of greater New Orleans for twelve years, I can attest to the 'latinization' of the area. While a substantial Honduran-American community has been a presence here for almost a century, other Latin groups are relative newcomers. In my community, due north of New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain, Latins have been working almost invisibly in the horse farms for years, but now are significantly represented in the northshore building boom and as renters and homeowners in many neighborhoods.

I can attest to the living conditions of many of the post-Katrina Latin workers in this area. They are living in many of the shuttered hotels and motels both in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, often hanging outside until late at night due to the stifling conditions indoors. On the plus side, however, are my observations of many of them having good times in the French Quarter. Despite the well-documented and horrific beating of the 64 year-old African-American gentleman two weeks ago, the Quarter seems to have opened its arms to workers of all colors and dispositions as long as they have cash.

Virtually everyone I've spoken with -- friends, employers, and other lovers of this great city -- are glad our latin guests are here. I for one hope many decide to stay.

A serious issue concerning labor, race and class conflict, and all you can devote is a measley one page article about it that doesn't even scratch the surface. Yet you can devote a seven page article to blow up dolls and the community that surrounds them. Come on I expect better from Salon, if you are not going to even try and tackle the issue why even publish something. That article was seriously insulting. Almost as bad as the Washington Post writing about the epedemic of La Mara Salvatrucha, if you haven't read that masterpiece you should check it out.

Luis

I am happy to see the influx of Latinos into the Gulf. Last year when a group of Latinos put the roof back on my home, never had I seen a harder working group of people...they were on my roof from 9am til they were finished and did a beautiful job. I welcome a group of people who came here to do jobs that others in this area don't want to do...or aren't willing to do. And what is the reason they came...to make money so their families can have better lives. To me that is the American Dream...I have no problem with anyone who comes to this country to fulfil it. That is why my ancestors came here hundreds of years ago. I have more issues with the citizens of this nation who are unwilling to work, but stand with arms outstretched and expect that our government will give them all they need...and then complain about it when they do.