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Illegals living in the United States should not practice law

January 15, 2014
Matt Kokkonen

Matt Kokkonen

OPINION By MATT KOKKONEN

California Supreme Court decided that a person living in California illegally can get a law license to practice law. This demonstrates the peak of irrationality and is pure idiocy.

It flies against common sense. It is contradictory. It is an insult to all law abiding Americans. It is a slap in the face to all immigrants who waited their turn, played by the rules and entered the United States lawfully. It breaks down society’s understanding of law, standards, meaning, values, reason, natural order and being.

An illegal arguing for legality in a court of law? Let’s get real. An officer of the court who revels in his illegality in court! Does this show his good moral character? And California’s highest court condones this? How stupid we have become!

This decision highlights two societal problems: re-defining words in order to justify a political end, and making public policy based on feelings, not truth and rationality. The lawyer in question claimed he had a life-long dream of practicing law in California. That is admirable. We support dreams and achievement. We can feel empathy for a person and his situation. However, why should our basic laws be changed to reward illegal activities?

Just wait, the next case will involve another illegal U.S. entrant whose dream is to become president of the United States. With this logic, why not? Actually, some believe this too has already happened. Constitution be damned since it is only an old piece of paper.

America welcomes legal immigrants.

Matt Kokkonen, a financial planner, immigrated to the United States by himself legally at age 16 from Finland.

 


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It’s funny, I always pictured him being bald from hearing him on the radio…..


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Sergio Garcia is 35 year old. He came here as a infant and yet his father about 15 years ago became a citizen but Sergio didn’t. He won’t even get a green card until 2019. I say make him a citizen ASAP so he can start paying the taxes and start reimbursing this Country for his education and other benefits.


Look, the State’s Supreme Court granted this right (not Federal). The same State that is giving driver’s license next year (which the legal citizens will be paying for at about $61 million) and the same State that now wants ALL CITIZENS to have health care (legal and illegal), and Gov Brown earmarked $18 billion to schools for English learning, low income and foster parents (watch out Karen, the Counties/schools will be looking for more kids to be in the program). The budget just passed in DC is giving California $181 million because of all the illegals in our prison system. This should keep Sergio engaged for a while. This whole thing is a mess and getting worse by the day…


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Oh no! Health care for everyone? That is so horrible. Yes, let’s have children get sick and rushed to the ER. Sheesh.


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Homer, I think everyone should be able to receive health care. Poor citizens who can not afford health care should be provided for. I have been fortunate in life and been able to provide for my family. I have always had medical insurance, paid for my kids private education. Never begrudge paying taxes. Support local charities. January received letter from my health insurance if I wanted to continue I would be paying $295 more, and also I now have to pay pediatric dental. After years and years of paying dental, Orthodontic services for my children I now have to start paying for some child I have never met. My son and his wife work hard they have just had a child, I know that I will be helping support my Grandchild, it is my duty to help provide for my family, and I take on this responsibility willingly. I became a citizen in 1994 I came here legally received permanent residency. When you apply for residency you have to prove you are capable of providing financially for yourself. You apply and file all your personal information, this way they can run background checks, make sure you are who you say you are. This is to protect American citizens. I do not believe these immigration laws have changed, I do not think people realize how difficult it is to come, and reside in this Country. Tell me where is the equality when only some of the people enter within the law, and do the right thing. Others enter outside of the law, and not only get to stay, but are rewarded…..

I have nothing against Mexicans coming here to work I know a lot of them are very hard working people, doing labor jobs that Americans do not want to do. They should be able to apply for work permits. That would provide background checks, they would not be allowed to bring family members, and American citizens would not be responsible for medical including pregnancy and delivery. Babies born in the United States must have at least one parent a legal American citizen. It is one thing coming to work,and another bringing dependents that are impacting our schools, welfare system, and medical resources. To give an illegal, someone who has broken our laws a degree to practice, and participate in our legal system is disgraceful.


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How can one in good conscience defend the law, when in fact they are here ILLEGALLY?

Justice is supposed to be blind…not selective.


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Let’s see here? Even in the criminal justice system there is “mens rea,” or “guilty knowledge or intent” burden when proving a criminal case. So, with that in mind, with your “here ILLEGALLY” contention, how would a child be considered illegal, exactly? They have no knowledge of immigration laws, they surely don’t have the intent to break immigration laws, and generally they are here because their parents brought them here. According to the law they are more likely to be seen as victims of parents breaking the law then the criminals you contend they are.


And of course once they found out they were “illegal” they should just jump up and run back to wherever they came from, right? It’s what you would do after all, right? Forget about the possibility that they are completely “Americanized”, have no support system where they were from and now need to go, maybe have even lost their native language and only speak English, who cares, right?


Justice blind? Are you kidding me?!!! Its eyes sure do open wide when it’s convenient to do so, when it’s time to be elected or when the bill comes due for their appointment.


Besides, it’s the balance of justice, or “The Scales of Justice” as it is commonly referred to, that is what true justice is all about. And, there sure can’t be balance when fear, loathing and prejudice is the overriding weight.


Just sayin’…


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criminal law and immigration law are completely different legal realms

rhetorical questions only cloud the water


UNITED

means something ? the more people in a democratically organized system the healthier that system is. (and it fits nicely on a globe without conflicts)

wasting energy over stupid flat earth questions about who deserves to eat and who deserves to serve.. pyramid hierarchies (don’t properly fit on the globe at all)

treat people as people

treat things as things

human being

standing on the street corner is not a crime

difference tween crime

being born in the “wrong” location

what is the proper sum of a triangle for you?


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this is a reply to the woman who was there (damn format)


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Zaphod, I guess you have not moved as much on that curve as you thought!


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Matt, I have to agree with you 100%. Why on earth would they give an illegal the right to practice law when he is braking it 24/7?

He is an attorney, he must know what is involved in becoming a US citizen.

To all the immigrants who went through the process of becoming a citizen, how do you feel about this guy bucking the system & getting a free pass when you had to put a lot of time and hard work into it?

I’m still scratching my head over this one.


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Truer words were never spoken!


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Isn’t being here illegally a crime? Why has he note become a U.S. citizen or applied for a green card? Don’t you need a green card to work here legally? Are any laws worth anything any more? Why would anyone want to become a citizen if one doesn’t have to, to be able to enjoy all the benefits, pay less or zero taxes, and probably still be able to vote? This decision confounds me and I totally agree with you, Matt. What on earth has happened to the USA?


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Eglish Law is what happened to the USA. With that and a convincing lawyer, breaking the law can ripen into a legal right. Some people call it unfair or thievery and I agree.


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Mr. Kokkonen: I approached you one time downtown while you were campaigning. I remember bouncing some things off you to see how you reacted, things like your position on Ron Paul and thoughts on classical liberalism (aka paleoconservatism). You were quick to adjust your lingo and views to be accommodating, but I got the impression you were being insincere. Boy, was I right. This commentary is a virtual puking up of backwoods redneck American “right wing” talking points and cliche’s.


It is TOTALLY ironic that you closed with a reference to the Constitution. The Constitution was not designed just to protect American citizens, but all people living within this free country. Immigrants, whether legal or not, are entitled to fair legal process and representation in this country. The philosophy behind this is part of the very structure of the political ideas which form the basis of our Constitution. Non-citizens are not entitled to vote, serve on a jury, or receive public benefits (and most DON’T!!!!)


When you suggest that giving them the right to practice law is some kind of slippery slope, you might as well suggesting that legal bestiality is the logical outcome and next step of allowing gay marriage. What is MORE likely a slippery slope is that we restrict rights of non-citizens, and then start stripping the citizenship of people who oppose the policies of the U.S. government. In FACT, illegal immigration is NOT a criminal offense in and of itself (although lying to customs/border patrol or using forged documents are crimes). Cross the border illegally is a matter of CIVIL law in the United States.


In summary… you have no idea what you are talking about factually or philosophically, and your inconsistent ideology reflect that you either unable or unwilling to mentally process beyond the prepackaged phrases and ideas served up on the evening news or distributed in the emails/memes of “conservative” right-wing groups.


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Fair and legal process is one thing, this is something entirely else. Why dont we allow some Taliban to practice Shaira law here on our citizens and stone and rape our women? After all if there here whats the difference, legal process for all under what law? ours theirs? lets be fair as apparently our laws no longer count for anything. BTW, Thank You for being part of what has destroyed America Regarding your comment on bestiality, lets no forget your man Biden said it matters “not who or what”, as long as there is “love” Man, woman, goat, sheep what the hell is the difference? So I say to you, go screw goat, or whatever it is you “love”.


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MKaney, since your family has been part of the food/agriculture industry, would you also be in favor of paying all undocumented workers the prevailing minimum wage of the state and enforcing that rule by fines/jail. I would. This is where the discrimination starts, in my opinion, and I’m willing to pay more for fruits, vegetables, wine, etc. to see that this is done.


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I don’t support minimum wage laws, at all.


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Just remember, we’re all in this alone.


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It is passed time to move out of California.


California leads the pack with $778 billion in state debt, mostly as a result of the state’s $584 billion unfunded public pension liability. http://goo.gl/0EKqsb


California senator proposes Obamacare for illegal immigrants- http://calcoastnews.com/2014/01/california-senator-proposes-obamacare-illegal-immigrants/


Brown’s 2014-15 Budget Increases School Funding for Neediest Students- “correct historical inequities in school district funding”

http://goo.gl/sEdLep


For Low-Skilled Immigrants, Legal Status Is No Ticket to Upward Mobility

Legalizing the nation’s nearly 12 million unauthorized immigrants would be unlikely to improve their employment prospects,

http://goo.gl/JUQPZQ


And now we have illegals practicing law in the United States.

Go figure.


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we have a PERSON practicing law (oh the humanity) “illegals ” condition of LANGUAGE.

not a very helpful concept for the REAL world

go figure the sum of a real triangle.


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Absolutely. It is time to get out of California.

Take 166 east to 5. 5 to 58. 58 to 15.

When you cross the border into Nevada wave goodbye to CA.

You’re free.


Some of us will have to stay behind to keep on an eye on things.

We’ll be really busy so we may not be able to phone, write, or text. Maybe at Christmas.


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Take 166 East to Old River Road take ORR to Bear Mountain Blvd. (SR223) through Arvin to the 58 (my shortcut) to see the national veterans cemetery on your way out.


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Move from Cali? Yes please.


Also you might want to remove your California plates if headed to Texas


“You will see a lot of cars coming west heading east on Interstate 10, and they’re going to have California license plates on them. Now, if you see these cars pull into rest areas or hotels or restaurants, that’s fine; wave goodbye, make sure they go out on the Louisiana end. But if you see them pull off into residential areas, you need to open fire on these vehicles immediately. Immediately. Not with 9mm or AR rounds; you need to put mortars on those things, you cannot take any chances. What’s the worst that could happen to you? I mean, honestly, this is Texas, right? You’ll stand in front of a Texas judge, (and) he’ll say, ‘Did you shoot up that car full of Californians?’ You’ll say yes, he’ll say why. You’ll say, ‘Well, your honor, they needed killing.’ And he’ll say, ‘We’ll strike a medal in your honor,’ and off you go.”

Link


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