It is a difficult and thorny issue, but it has become the next big divisive controversy facing this country. How much longer can we allow huge influxes of people into our land without proper processing and legal steps in order to curb further illegal, often free, use of our educational and medical services? To allow this to continue seems to make a mockery out of the laws already on the books and the immigrants that obediently follow the laws to become citizens. Once again, we find ourselves polarized against ourselves--one side for the immigrants, whose basic human rights they feel may be threatened; the other side fearing the consequences of an all too lax an attitude which results in too much expense ,violence, and out of control border invasion. There are those who believe that some politicians are motivated to disagree with harsher laws against legal immigrants in that it will either hurt them politically or garner minority votes for their future elections---depending on which team you play. And the rants from both sides go on and on.
We are the land of the free and still want to welcome those who are willing to wait their turn to enter legally----but we are no longer a country so open and without vulnerability that we can allow our borders to be crossed without grave concerns. The risk of those who wish us harm is too great, and the burden of caring for those who invade without proper channels is no longer affordable or acceptable. To those states,such as California ,who say we should boycott Arizona for taking steps to control an out of control problem, I have to say -- get over your self righteous selves. To do nothing more than the status quo is to prolong and side step an ever worsening situation. Let us have some respect and concern for our own people. This country is suffering from a huge economic down turn, the likes of which, we may never fully recover. We can no longer afford to look the other way, as we continue to care for people who don't pay their own way and allow them to take jobs away from others who are here legally, not to even mention the security risks involved. Give me your tired, your poor----but not at the expense of our own welfare.
Thumbs up, Arizona---it's time somebody has the guts to do something other than lip service. But we and the world will be watching as you walk the fine line between protecting your state and treading on the very basic principles that brought all of the original immigrants here. If that sounds slightly ambivalent, I am--it's a dicey issue with no perfect answers. And while we search for those answers--- it is heart wrenching to see our country convulsing with one assault after the other on the things that once made it the" shining city on a hill". As we continue to grapple with our problems and our differences, may we find a way to keep the lights of freedom on and our hill from being completely eroded---until there is no reason to want to come here.
This is Roger speaking. I'm trying to get past the "Comment as:" and write my response on your blog site for once. I certainly don't claim to have any expertise on this issue, but I would like to point out that neither of us do. We are mouthing the opinions of others. My son, Joel, however, lives in Phoenix and has experienced the influx of latins both at home and work. He complains that he has been made to feel a foreigner in his own country. If you can't speak Spanish in Arizona it has become more and more difficult to get a job. Before he moved to a different neighborhood his had become so Latinized that he couldn't communicate with neighbors even to ask if they'd seen his lost cat. It seems to him that Arizona's southern border is moving north! I could believe that his fears represent those of most English speaking Arizonans. He's not really informed about increased crime or illegals taking jobs or welfare. He's just talking about his subjective comfort zone. Then there is the logical condundrum that illegals "ought" to be punished or deported or something. But the practical problem is there are already the equivalent of the population of Ohio in the country. I have read that it would take two lanes of bus loads 1,700 miles long to deport all of them. Like the Wall Street fiasco, they've already become too "big" to fail. Statistically speaking, illegals actually commit fewer crimes than the rest of the population, and they take the jobs no one else wants. That's why their employers are against harsher laws. But they don't get the protection of the law either, which makes for gross exploitation by those employers. They live in constant fear of the INS, and even so they continue to burst through the boarder. The conditions in Latin America are so bad, it is so overpopulated, that they are willing to risk their lives to get to the "North" as they call it. I've got to run, but those are just a few thoughts. Just remember: the starting bias of Arizona--very conservative--is very different from California (outside of conservative Orange County), which is why California, with its own problems with illegal immigration, has reacted to strongly against Arizona. Gottta go!
ReplyDeleteRog--congrats on getting your comment thru---and thanks for your thoughts. I will allow that they are yours, not others, if you will allow that the above are mine---which they are---after much thought, reading and listening to both sides.Remember, I've also lived in Calif., and while I don't claim to have lived the experience of an illegal immigrant or even those who are negatively affected by their situation, I have seen first hand how hard they work,and the fact that they risk their lives to get here,is testament that they are desperate. However,the fact remains that we have a problem in this country and it needs to be addressed. I always come around to the fact that we need to start by enforcing existing laws---otherwise, throw them out, open up the borders and let the chips fall where they may. At least that would less hypocritical and more fair to the immigrants that enter legally. Thanks, bro, for making this a conversation---we need more of it! Love, Your big sis, Kellee
ReplyDeleteWell, you've talked me into it: We need more conversation--on this issue and others. There is so much shouting and finger pointing recently it's hard to find a civil conversation in the noise. Anyway, I think Arizona's law will be superceded by Federal legislation after bitter debate and ultimate compromise. Arizona is not the final answer. I apologize for seeming to dismiss your comments as second hand. That's no way to have a conversation! And, as I said, you've talked me into conversing. So far, I had been too cautious, perhaps. Now, let's see if we can get some of the "lurkers" into the fray! --Rog
ReplyDeleteThis is what has happen before Arizona, new law.
ReplyDeleteOne of the big ranchers and his dog in Douglas County was killed, while responding to a call for help. This happen about 3 weeks or more. The ranchers have seen a lot of problems with illegals.
About one week ago, a border patrol man got shot with an automatic rifle by Casa Grande, AZ. He was tracking some drug dealers. They did find him and he is alive.
This month AZ has stopped about a million in drugs (or more), due to finding them in cars and people walking drugs over the border with backpacks. We have also had illegals found in drop houses being held by drug gangs.
Our great-great grandparents came from Germany and Wales and entered USA and also became citizens. So did a lot of other immigrants.
People just don’t understand this law; we are not profiling Mexican’s but profiling for US Citizens!!
This is all we are asking the illegal immigrants to do, become US Citizens!!
After living in Tucson AZ for 5 winter’s you learn a lot about the boarder and illegal immigrants. Also we don’t have a big wall across our boarders like CA does.
I could go on & on but don’t have the time.
flkjhdfljdflkdjf
ReplyDelete