Remember the pizza place in Dallas (actually a chain) that is going to accept pesos? Well, the Houston Chronicle reports that the result of the publicity over the policy has resulted in hate mail and death threats (Dallas-based pizza chain under fire for taking pesos):
A pizza chain has been hit with death threats and hate mail after offering to accept Mexican pesos, becoming another flashpoint in the nation’s debate over immigrants.“This is the United States of America, not the United States of Mexico,” one e-mail read. “Quit catering to the damn illegal Mexicans,” demanded another.
Dallas-based Pizza Patron said it was not trying to inject itself into a larger political debate about illegal immigration when it posted signs this week saying “Aceptamos pesos” — or “We accept pesos” — at its 59 stores across Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and California.
Pizza Patron spokesman Andy Gamm said the company was just trying to sell more pizza to its customers, 60 percent of whom are Hispanic.
As Polimom notes:
Indeed.
In fact, here’s a lovely illustration of capitalism in action:
At a Pizza Patron in Dallas, Veronica Verges bought a pizza Wednesday for her son Nathan’s fourth birthday. She paid with pesos her father brought home two weeks ago after a trip to see family in Mexico.She said she is an occasional Pizza Patron customer, but came that day because she could pay with pesos. Her father wasn’t going to use them because he had no plans to go back to Mexico anytime soon.
“I would mostly think a restaurant would do this in a border town,” she said. “But it got me over here.”
And the Republic is still standing.
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January 11th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Money is money. Leave them alone.
Swijen from Dallas.
January 12th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Yeah!!! I have left over pecos from my cruise!! Really…WHO CARES!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 11:32 am
No big deal. Businesses have been accepting Canadian money along the Canadian border for years. It makes sense for the individual and the business. Bottomline, it is good business. Any backlash to this is simply STUPIDO!
January 12th, 2007 at 11:34 am
It is just a marketing promotion, and on top of that they are making a profit of almost 10% on the exchange rate. people who trade them in just want to get rid of that spare change left over from a trip to Mexico, most illegals don’t bring a lot of pesos with them. I’m sure some of the cutomers who have traded pesos for pizzas are Americans who took a trip to Mexico.
January 12th, 2007 at 11:45 am
I’m guesing that these people that are sending hate mail and death threats,and that are so upset with businesses “contributing” to immigration, ARE all American Indians?
Most of the Mexicans that are here, are working people. Many of them work for $4 an hour.
I guess most of us have been fortunate enough to have our families immigrate to America before there was enough money here for anyone to actually “own” America.
Quit being greedy! And, utilize your writing energy on things that really matter. Oh, say on like writing letters to soldiers in Iraq.
Prioritize, people. There’s a war. Ridiculous homicide rates. And, if you took the time to look, a million more worthy causes that could use these passionate feelings that are being wasted on hate.
If anything, accepting the pesos is contributing to our economy.
January 12th, 2007 at 11:47 am
We accept Canadian money as far south as Miami Beach.
There is also a somewhat underground acceptance of Pesos in the Migrant worker communities.
January 12th, 2007 at 11:57 am
so what happens to all the countrys that accept Dollars hate them too…thats why everybody hates americans all over the world cause they act like morons…now get a grip and act like civilized humans…look at the History of this country it was built on Mexican Land its only natural to pay in native money…
January 12th, 2007 at 11:57 am
[...] Via Media Bloggers Association’s aggregator, “More on the Pizza for Pesos Scandal“: And the Republic is still standing. [...]
January 12th, 2007 at 11:59 am
We accept cancadian money along the border of canada so what’s the big deal. It has nothing to do with illegal immigrants. And since that issue has been brought up why not make it easier to come to the country legally so we have less illegals and less of them dieing trying to get in? The people I have met from mexico are very happy to be here and some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. So let them in already!! None of us would be here today if we had such restrictions in place back in the day. Come on people what is the big deal. Welcome our neighbors to join us.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
We have traviling over seas for years. And in most countrys I can use US Dollars. So why would anyone have a prob. with a US company taking something other US dollars as payment. The next thing they may have a prob with would be if we went back to taking a chicken as payment. Come back to the real world people.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
It is so sad to see that Americans are so ignorant. Everywhere in the world you go they take american dollars and speak English. I cannot understand why in a country where people believe they are open minded, people are so stupid.
I was just in Cancun, Mexico, and guess what, it was mostly full of americans watching football games, and do Mexican treat them bad??? NO, they are treated like kings.
Give me a break people, grow up and stop being idiots.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Ok lesson number one: Americans are welcomed in Mexico because of their money, ie; dollars to pesos: you figure it out.
Lesson number two: Canadian money is widely accepted across the US mainly because they are here to spend it and not to come here illegally.
Lesson number three: Mexicans that are here leagally are making US dollars, not PESOS.
Lesson number four: Are we all just stupid?!?!?!?!?
January 12th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
HOW FUNNY THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST THE NOTION THAT A PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNER WHO PAYS TAXES CANT ACCEPT PESOS. I GUESS THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST THIS HAVE NEVER TRAVELED OUT OF THE COUNTRY. THE U.S. DOLLAR IS USED THROUGH OUT THE WORLD AND ENGLISH IS THE LANGUAGE MOST SPOKEN THROUGH OUT THE WORLD. MAYBE THESE IGNORANT PEOPLE SHOULD PICK UP A BOOK AND READ OR START THINKING ABOUT OTHER THINGS IN LIFE RATHER THEN THINKING ABOUT THEIR OWN AGENDA.
SAD WORLD…. AND THE PERSON TO BLAME FOR THIS IS BUSH BECAUSE HE MADE IT AN ISSUE WHEN TALKING ABOUT HOME LAND SECURITY. MAN EVERY TIME HE OPENS HIS MOUTH THERE IS ALWAYS STUPIDITY TO DEAL WITH.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Did Walmart pay in pesos when they bought that product that you bought today? Come on people get a grip, it’s the small guy trying to keep up with the rest, just a sales ploy. Whatever happend to live and let live. MOVE ON.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
It’s only a matter of time that we won’t be using any other foreign currency but the eurodollar. The American consumers are going to live with that fact like it or not. I would like to see how the United States government, market or economy will preventing that from ever happening. This event will probably be related to the one world order.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Walmart and Mc Donaldd in asia are accepting US dollars…! see the picture..? some people think they own the world..!
January 12th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Money is money,what’s the diff,these bigots act like the poor Mexicans are stealing the Pizza,this is not even an issue,GIVE ME A BREAK,focus on other important issues like terrorism.
January 12th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
THE MORE HATE YOU GIVE, THE MORE HATE YOU WILL RECEIVE. SEE THE PICTURE..?
January 12th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
If you ever travel to Europe, why not stop by your local Burger King. At least here in Munich, Germany, they will accept your US Dollars, at a fairly good exchange rate. No need to bring a single Euro to have a burger.
Do they get any hate mail for that? Don’t think so …
January 12th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Mexicans and Canadians. Why is that an issue? HMMM. Let’s see. Canadian gang bangers, rapists, murderers, thieves. Yes I have seen this all over the news how Canadians are coming into the US illegally and raping, thieving and killing Americans. Beware the Canadian mafia!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are we really comparing Mexicans with Canadians?
January 12th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I dont like the comment about it must be american Indians making the threats. another thing is I dont see any of these illegal imigrants fighting for our country, so why should we cater to them.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
leave the pizza place alone. if they want to accept dirt who freaking cares. if it’s my business and I want to give pizzas away for looking at boobs that my concern and none of your business.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
My goodness, don’t we have bigger issues to worry about? Like an endless war with an endless pricetag attached to it! Let’s blame the immigrants for that too!
They make a great job at keeping the masses focused on issues of minimal relevance or importance. Money is money… American dollars are accepted all over the world and so are Mexican Pesos. Educate yourselves and travel… step outside your 100 mile radius and 100 mile brain.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
helen are you fighting for our country?
January 12th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
People, are we really THIS shallow? I mean come on, as americans we can find some of the stupidiest things to complain about. America is made up of illegal people. The only legal people here are the indians. Did the English, Spanish and French people ask the indians for a green card when they “discovered” they weren’t the only ones here? Get a LIFE people and stop trying to control everything and everybody.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Come on, AOL. Why couldn’t you have posted a message opposing the anti-immigrant emails sent to the company? Somehow, you got a hold of the rhetoric emails these ignorant, nationalistic types sent. I’m sure you could have just as easily posted one supporting the company’s decision.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
No problem here - All money welcome
January 12th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
To all the people who said U.S. dollars are taken in foreign countries: Of course they are. U.S. dollars are the most stable currency in the history of the planet, unlike the Peso. Dollars got that way by the values that the United States holds dear: government by the people and for the people, and the belief in the sovereignty of the individual citizen. It is certainly the right of a business owner to accept any currency they choose.That’s one of the great things about this country, but until Mexico decides that it will convert from a corrupt welfare state to a business driven, citizen based economy, we will continue to have to deal with the unfortunate illegal immigrants who flow across our borders each year seeking the American ideal, which increasingly means pandering to an illegal mexican underground populace.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Thank you, John. You beat me to the punch. If I owned a business, I would accept whatever the hell I want to for payment for goods and services, whether it’s dirt, boobs, or even wee-wee flashes.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Just Great! We send American dollars the Mexican’s make to Mexico and now we are starting to take Peso’s in this country. What’s wrong with this picture. Wake up people! This is America!
January 12th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
As a former military dependent whenever we were stationed in a country other than the U.S. we had to pay for our purchases with the local currency. They only time that we could spend “US” currency was when purchases were made on the military base (because this is considered American territory). So, why shouldn’t persons immigrating to the U.S. have to make their purchases in our currency.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Mexico doesn’t have a Social Security system and they never will. The Mexican Government depends on the US dollar to take care of that problem. Wow, now we get the few left over pesos brought back by tourist.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
IF YOU CAN PAY THOUSANDDS OF LIVES FOR OIL, WHY CAN’T YOU LET THEM PAY PESO FOR GOODS. OH MEN..!
January 12th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Everywhere in Mexico gladly accepts George, Ben, Abe and the Boys. Why shouldn’t an establishment that caters to Hispanics accept Pesos? This is a free country, it is their business. What is it to you?
When did America become a country of busy bodies? Mind your own business, your own beliefs and your own family. Stay out of my business and don’t impose your beliefs on me and my family. Have we forgotten how and why this country was founded?
Why is it that other countries are expected to extend so many courtesies to us as foreigners (speak our language, accept our currency, etc) but we don’t feel the need to do the same? Get a life folks!
January 12th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
YOU CAN HAVE THIS PLACE…ALL OF IT.! I’M MOVING TO NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA ANYWAY. BETTER TO BE SOMEWHERE ELSE… NOWADAYS.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
who cares that the mexican gov’t is crappy or that they don’t have SS who freaking cares. this is about a business taking pesos and isn’t the american way free enterprise. they can take whatever the hell they want. if you don’t like it don’t buy pizzas from them.
Another thing; while i love this great country we live in and believe it is the finest country on this planet; mexican people from the other side get to work on time, work harder and are more appreciative of their jobs than we are. they take the jobs people dont want. they’re illegal, they are not going to get the VP or CEO jobs. they are going to be the day laborers that fix the streets we drive on. Remember it’s about a business choosing to do business as they wish not as you wish.
January 12th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I am a LEGAL MEXICAN that when I go to Mexico, guess what? I pay in DOLLARS!! Then I get my change either in DOLLARS or in PESOS whatever I prefer(in certain places). When you go to the grocery store, guess what? Those tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, onions, watermelons, canteloupe, etc, were touched by “those damned illegal Mexicans”. Are you getting the picture. I remember when I worked in the picking fields when I was in 6th grade, guess what? I was legal and the ranchers did not care how old I was, as long as I worked hard, that is all they cared for, and FOR A FACT I DON’T REcall having ANY, not one, other than Mexicans working the fields!!!! EAT THAT!! So YES you want to send us back to OLD MEXICO… you will starve, then the government will implement the BRAZERO permit once again, and again the neverending circle. I am married to an American Citizen, guess what? I am still a Mexican Citizen, I have been offered jobs with US government, but I am not a citizen, so I can’t get them. Guess what? if you send me back to Mexico, and when you and your family decide to move over there because it is cheaper to live, I will be your translator and will charge U(A LOT) in US DOLLARS;D!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Send them all back to Mexico!
January 12th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
you guys are making me cry…arriva los pesos ARRIVA!ARRIVA!
January 12th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
You send us all back I will sue you for eating food that belongs to MEXICANS, when I have money left over from my trips to MEXICO, I go to the nearest grocery store (WAL-MART SUPERCENTERS, K-MARTS, UNITED, AND THEY TAKE MY LEFTOVER PESOS, I don’t remember anyone not even those racist people posting making a big deal about it! Was it because maybe u have stock in those big giants? And I bet you had no idea that pesos were behind those dollars you made from your stock! You IDIOTS.
January 12th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
omar CALM DOWN. you sound as vindictive and racist as the other close minded people in this blog. if you are married to a US citizen you can become a US citizen if YOU choose. If you choose to stay illegal that is of course your choice but then don’t complain about the other closed minded people COMPLAING about illegal aliens.
This is about a BUSINESS CHOICE to accept whatever they want not your or someone elses racist view. I sure there is another blog for that.
January 12th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I am not Hispanic, and therefore have no investment on how this is resolved. However, I feel that whatever commercial decisions are made by a merchant is no business of anyone else. It is very tiring in a country that prides itself on opening its doors to all and professes the Christian ethic and at the same time is hateful in its decisions that affect other people. No wonder the world looks on us as the “ugly American.” We need to stop being hypocritical and instead need to show Christian love to people instead of hate. If hateful remarks such as “send them all back to Mexico” were applied to everyone then we would all have to leave this county except for the Native Americans. I applaud the decision to accept pesos from its Mexican customers as this decision does not hurt anyone. Kudos to you.
January 12th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
As for the illegal mexicans…I live in a town in California and we whites are out numbered by the mexicans. You go to court and they need translators and they say their here illegally and they let them go knowing full well that their going to disappear..their NEVER going to pay their fines and they very seldom have car insurance..so heaven help you if they run into you with their car. I find that for the most part, most of the mexicans are very rude and obnoxious..you say excuse me in the stores and they look at you and give a smirk and they WON’T move and believe me…they VERY seldom say excuse me when they just plow into you. they spread themselves across the whole isle of the store like they own it. It’s getting pretty pathetic when we here in the United States have to speak spanish to be able to get a job.This is the United
States of America…”NOT”…Mexico! And how many U.S. citizens without medical insurance have tried to get help…you can forget it…but if your here illegally..you don’t have a worry. I have heard real horror stories where U.S. citizens cannot get help from our government and then right on the news several months ago there was a mexican family and one member had cancer and our government paid for all the treatment. Now how messed up is this? I believe that people that sit at home and just collect welfare checks should be working the low pay jobs that the illegals are here doing..they shouldn’t be able to just sit at home and collect money because they get more doing that than going out and getting a minimum wage job. It’s getting to where that almost no matter where you call for tech support even the credit card company’s you don’t get to speak so a person speaking english and it takes forever to get help because they don’t understand you and you certainly can’t understand them. They send these jobs to another country so they can pay less and we get very poor service! Not so worried about the U.S. consumer..but they want our $$$$$.
January 12th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I am not an ILLEGAL, and if I came accross kind of racist, please accept my apology. Sort of why I wrote about the big giants..accepting pesos or other currency to keep their business blooming. thats the point, the pizza place is trying to keep blooming; is that better John
January 12th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
god Annie… you seem really up-set… to bad you also seem to be really ignorant! But again, if you are going off about a poor individual who is dying of cancer and is only seeking medical help, what is there to expect from people like you. Learn the facts Hun, and by the way “since you consider yourself to be too of an American to be dealing with this issue” in America, It is believed that the language is English, therefore learn how to write it correctly not only open your mouth to speak it & please allow me to comment to your “this country is sending the low paid jobs to other countries.” Do you really want to know why? It is “IGNORANT” people like you that is making us Americans seem too stupid to deal with the small issues, therefore this Country feels forced to use other FOREIGNS to do OUR J-O-B’s. & by the way if you are really in California, then you are sitting in MEXICAN “stolen land” therefore you should be paying US MEXICAN-AMERICANS ß taxes…. You dumb b****.. & in the mean time while you put 2 & 2 together go find your self a Mexican dude… to make you wake up & smell the coffee or yet again the Mexican tequila, which I am pretty sure you enjoy ! Je Je…
January 12th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
well said jennifer i agree with you, people only see the bad side of mexicans but they dont admit all the good things we bring to this country. Besides every single ethnicity has their shitty people, that doesnt mean theyre all the same or that we have to dislike them ALL…
January 12th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
This is NOT about pesos, this is about one RACE! Mexicans. We are not Aliens to our Mother Country. Aliens come out of spaceships! Ignorance converts into Racism! The thing is that you are not only aggravating our people but those of us who live here and whom happen to be MEXICAN that have more rights than a European Colony! Our race is rich with a cultural that takes us back more than a thousands of years. Mexico does not need to change, Mexicans need to change, we must rise and put our foot down and stop the oppressors by being Patriots, loving one another, and ask those to respect us and plead that we are humans because we will no longer deal Pirates, Thieves, or infected Traitors who will try to sell us for PESOS ever again. For those who are ignorant…wake up! The Invasion started on 1492!
January 12th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Would it be a different story if Pizza Patron went to the Federal Government and applied to accept payment in a foreign currency? Maybe then they would not be in violation of the R.I.C.O Act of the Patriot Act.
January 12th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
I don’t really understand all the uproar. This is a non-issue. Businesses have been accepting pesos and Canadian dollars for years along both borders. If you spend any time at all in a Mexican border town, you will quickly notice the exchange rate clearly posted in hundreds of stores that accept pesos.