Immigration reform debate?
posted by robert - April 10th, 2006 at 1:08 PMContrary to what the MSM would have us believe, the so-called debate over reforms aimed at curbing illegal immigration is a fabrication: the American voters — who, it bears restating, actually have final say over this issue — do not indicate any real debate. From this Washington Times op/ed:
National polling data could not be more emphatic — and has been so for decades. Gallup Poll (March 27) finds 80 percent of the public wants the federal government to get tougher on illegal immigration. A Quinnipiac University Poll (March 3) finds 62 percent oppose making it easier for illegals to become citizens (72 percent in that poll don’t even want illegals to be permitted to have driver’s licenses). Time Magazine’s recent poll (Jan. 24-26) found 75 percent favor “major penalties” on employers of illegals, 70 percent believe illegals increase the likelihood of terrorism and 57 percent would use military force at the Mexican-American border.
An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll (March 10-13) found 59 percent opposing a guest-worker proposal, and 71 percent would more likely vote for a congressional candidate who would tighten immigration controls.
An IQ Research poll (March 10) found 92 percent saying that securing the U.S. border should be a top priority of the White House and Congress.
Where’s the debate exactly? Oh, is it the so-called debate between the voters and the “undocumented workers”? Since when do people who have broken the law — regardless of what the law is — get to argue with it, saying in effect that claims that they’re doing something illegal is irrelevant because …they just don’t think it should apply to them. And these attempts to make this into a humanitarian issue are disgusting; it’s insulting to real humanitarian issues. No one is forcing these aliens — yes, I called them aliens — to break the laws of the United States of America and embark on a risky and illegal journey through the desert Southwest. Let’s not forget the insult any so-called “guest worker” program — which is amnesty, plain and simple — would be to all of the immigrants to this country that have gone through the correct, albeit arduous, legal process. The latest tripe being shoveled to the media has various protest organizers and leaders calling this “debate” a “civil rights” struggle. I sprayed Coke all over my monitor at this: a civil rights struggle?! Since when is illegally entering and taking up residence in another country a civil right?!?! Are these people clinically, certifiably insane?
My personal favorite “rationale” being spewed by the so-called leaders that are voicing opposition to stricter immigration reforms is that we somehow need illegals for the good of the economy, because “they do jobs that Americans won’t”. Well, excuse me, but the last time I checked basic economic principles hadn’t been repealed — and the fact that a lot of Americans are lazy morons doesn’t count as justification for repealing said economic principles. It is idiocy, idiocy, for someone who has no job to turn down ANY job because it’s “beneath them” — I have no sympathy for such people. Never have, never will. The beauty of this country is that there is always opportunity for those who want to take it; it may not be your first choice, but there’s no reason for anyone to remain unemployed. Our economy, again contrary to the impression the MSM tries to convey, is booming, by any measure. If a job needs to get done and no one is stepping up to do it at the offered wage, then the person that needs the job done will either offer a higher wage or decide that they didn’t actually need the job done. Permitting illegal immigration to continue as if it’s a good thing for our economy is foolishness of the highest order: it’s bad for our economy because illegals don’t pay into the system in the form of taxes, yet they take back out of the system in the form of services, most especially medical services. The panacea of “lower prices” is a mirage, because any gains realized in the private sector are eaten as government tax increases to try to cover the higher costs of the services that it (shouldn’t be) subsidizing for illegals — who aren’t paying into the services in the first place.
Here’s my set of solutions:
- Actually enforce the existing laws: any illegals caught at ANY time, ANYwhere will be promptly sent back across the border.
- Make being here illegally a felony instead of a misdemeanor, with punishments appropriate for a felony being available if the illegal doesn’t agree to immediate and unconditional deportation. I’m talking jail time — preferably in some sort of incarceration where they can be used for forced public service work (infrastructure repair, cleanup, etc.)
- End the providing of subsidized services to illegals. Period. If being here illegally means that you simply can not get medical service, then the risk of living here illegally will most likely be too great to make it worth it.
- Institute a “two strike” system for businesses that employ illegals: on the first infraction, a fine scaled to the number of illegals employed at that time; on the second infraction, revocation of that businesses business license for at least 12 months. Yes, I’m serious.
That’s it. Seems pretty simple to me: most of the concepts are focused on actually making the United States a hostile environment for an illegal immigrant — which is the whole point. I can’t understand why the pols in DC (and most of the far left) don’t get it: as long as there’s little to no risk to coming here illegally while there’s money to be made, people will come here illegally.
I can’t understand it: is the system really so badly broken that polling data this emphatic is blatantly ignored in an effort to either capitulate to the big business lobby (by Republicans) or because you’re starry-eyed at the potential votes to be bought/bribed (Democrats)? If this is truly where we are, I worry for my children and the country that they will inherit.