How will Polish-Americans vote this year?

The next Presidential Election is on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.  How will Polish-Americans vote this year? 

As with rest of the Americans, Polish-Americans are seeking good jobs and better lives.  It all comes down to the money in the pocket.  Chicagoland area is known for a large Polish population and Polish culture.  

When it comes to jobs, the majority of the Poles run their own contractor businesses.  Yes, many are employed in cleaning/caretaking industry but the real money is in building and remodeling gigs.  Correction: the real money was there, before the recession.  It seems that the main income stream comes from the "hail damage" insurance claims.  More about that some other time.

The other group invested in college education and is working for the private and public sector.  It seems that every large company has some Poles or Polish-Americans working there.  

Yes, the Poles are a large group in America but do they make their voices be heard during the elections?  The short answer is no. 

Many older Poles don't find the elections to be legit based on their experiences from the communist Poland (before 1989).  The undocumented Poles cannot vote.  And the rest are just simply keeping the politics out of their lives being busy working two jobs to support the family and the "American dream".

So how will Polish-Americans vote this year?  The jobs and taxes are very important.  Second, the immigration reform.  Romney wins on the taxes but Obama caters to the undocumented.  After talking to some friends, most are pro-Romney.  Mishandling of the economy is the number one disappointment.  Second, the Obamacare. 

Polish-Americans choice: Romney.

You can check both candidates and their stands on the issues at: Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney.

Poland vs Russia: hooligans fight, teams draw 1-1

Is it hot in here or is it the Polish police sweating their bottoms off to diffuse Polish and Russian pseudo-fans (Polish: kibole) before the hotly anticipated EURO 2012 match today?

As reported by BBC, about 1,000 Russians marched thorough the town center, over the Poniatowski bridge on the way to the National Stadium.  The march was planned and authorized by Warsaw city council wanting to display the true democracy in real life dismissing any talk about a provocation.  Not coincidentally, the Polish police was anticipating some disturbances since the football march coincided with the Russian independence day celebrated on June 12th.  After 44 years under Russian rule, display of any Soviet Union memorabilia or flags would just stir up Polish people who still remember the oppressive regime.  

Poles met Russians on the bridge to show their angry disapproval but the swift riot Police action averted any major fights.  15 people were injured and about 100 hooligans were quickly taken out of the game, yes I'm being sarcastic here, and arrested.  

Hopefully, this stupidity won't spill over the town after the game.  Check out some videos taken during the march.

Fortunately, the match itself was an exciting show of sportsmanship by both teams.  Russian team, ranked as 13th in the world by FIFA, could not defeat Polish team, ranked as 62nd.  In 37th minute, Alan Dzagoev scored a goal for Russia.  Poles were devastated but they picked up the game in the 2nd half.  In 57th minute, Jakub Błaszczykowski scored an equalizer.  Both teams tried to change that score but 1:1 was the final outcome.

Now all the Polish team has to do to advance from the group is to win with Czech Republic on June 16th at Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.  Goooooooooo Pooooooooland!!!