FLASH!

Now that launch formalities are out of the way and this blog is in orbit (more accurately, the blogger is going in circles), on to a timely issue. Please pass this along the RSS kudzu vine. If you are a fan of a small-town circus, or are an age to remember the grand circus parades that helped put small-town America on the map of our most cherished heritage, you should consider urging your representatives and congressperson to fight for reinstatement of the H-2B Visa Return Worker Exemption.

In a nutshell, this program allowed many migrant workers from Mexico to return to the States year after year to work legally in thousands of jobs in hospitality and entertainment industries. Small circuses, for example, relied on these workers every season to fill their needs for drivers, setup and teardown, promotional legwork, etc., thus freeing the core talent for their demanding full-time job of performing. This was all a legal process that was in place for many years and not a contributor to the illegal immigrant problem.

Last year, however, Congress failed to renew this exemption. With no return-worker option, seasonal laborers from Mexico now have to re-apply each year for the severely reduced number of visas available; in effect decimating a vital workforce for our industries that depend on them. In the circus business, most smaller shows had to cancel their 2008 tours. Folded tents and idle equipment stand in storage yards, talent has no audience, and thousands of American children trade their imaginations for the streets and video arcades.

Supporting reinstatement of the Return Worker Exemption will not contribute to the illegal alien crisis; it will do much to prevent it. Otherwise, thousands of migrant workers who contributed to American productivity fully within the law for many years will be denied the opportunity to provide for their families, and many of the businesses that relied on them will face either hiring illegals or going out of business -- certainly a no-win situation for anyone.

I pass this along in good faith. For more detailed information and ongoing awareness on this critical issue, including instructions, suggestions and examples for contacting your representatives, please take a look at the following links:

Circus Chimera home page, with a link to their “informational website”

Article, "Imagine a World Without Circuses..." with lots of helpful links

Links to sample letters

Contact info for your representatives

Contact info for senators


If you're not very good with letter-writing, you may use the letter I composed as a basis for your communication to your representatives. All I ask is that you do not clone it. Adding your own stamp (ooops...did I say that?) is good, and of course there's no reason you couldn't improve on mine.

Many will thank you for your support. Here is the sample letter:

SUBJECT: Restore the H-2B Visa Return Worker Exemption


Your representative
Your representative's address


Dear (your representative):

America is teamwork. Speaking on behalf of Circus Chimera, other circuses, and many businesses whose indispensable talent, teamwork and hospitality contribute immeasurably to a positive economy, and in unison with their supporters, I urge you to strive for immediate reinstatement of the H-2B Visa Return Worker Exemption according to HR 1843 or S 988.

Up until 2007, this exemption allowed many workers to return each season in good faith and responsibly fulfill the needs of their positions. Failure to renew this exemption last year drastically limited the amount of labor available and severed a major part of proven support to American businesses, creating more harm to our economy.

Reestablishing this teamwork will save many American businesses who by nature of their seasonal operations must rely on immigrant labor, providing a win-win solution for both the U.S. job force and a legal alien workforce fully compliant with American law. Without it, businesses that relied on this resource are now faced with two choices -- either hire illegal aliens (it's in the phrase), or face termination (further jeopardizing the economy). The present course will more likely worsen than improve the illegal immigrant crisis. If this is what Congress wants, it will be what Americans will get.

Congress and all elected leaders should be about making positive choices, and serving the system rather than engineering a system to serve us. Please help to restore our circuses and all the fruits of our teamwork.


Sincerely,

Here is some of my own circus-related original photodigital art. These high quality prints are available for purchase on dotPhoto in 8x10 and 16x20 sizes.

Fortune teller

Aerialist

Trick dog

Clown face