To the illustrious Mr. Pot:
My Yahoo dictionary describes the word dilemma thus: n.
noun 1. A situation that requires a choice
between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive. 2. A problem that seems to defy a
satisfactory solution. 3. An argument that presents two alternatives, each of
which has the same consequence.
That enigmatic definition seems to sum up the immigration
debate, albeit in a somewhat scholarly and philosophic manner. The irony we
derive from the on-line lexicographers is that their definition could easily
apply to practically any undertaking by the two major parties in the United
States Congress. Laws are written, not to be in the best interest of our
country, but merely as a compromise representing the least of a number of
evils. And due to a dearth of bona fide statesmen, the bottom line for most
legislation is how it will play with a politician's constituency.
The immigration dilemma is no different. It has two major
components to be considered. The first and foremost part is the political
implications of any meaningful immigration law passed with the teeth to enforce
it. (An old trick in the political game is to pass laws that either have no
sanctions or are simply not funded. It gets everyone off the hook and the
Honorables can return
to “fly-over” country as noble warriors). The second part of effective
immigration reform is really the most important, and that is the economic
impact.
Political implications are famously transparent in the
immigration debate. Our left leaning brethren see visions of electoral
victories dancing in their heads. They fancy a permanent majority in both
houses of Congress, continuous residency in the White House, and a Supreme
Court that will be simply an extension of left wing ideology with the black
robes to enforce it nationally. Chuck
Shumer, the gregarious and garrulous Democrat senator from New Yawk, regularly
demands that any credible immigration reform must include a path to the ballot
box....excuse me....a path to citizenship and voting privileges for the
millions of undocumented Democrats now in our country. That pretty much sums up
the left side of the debate. On the pin striped and wing tipped side,
Republicans have serious concerns about the economic impact of opening up the
national treasury (if there really is one) to tens of millions of uneducated
and underemployed men, women, and children. While Democrats seem to literally
salivate at the prospect of more
spending for bi-lingual education, unemployment benefits, public health care,
food purchase assistance, burgeoning union membership, and the outrageous
earned income tax credit, most Republicans realize that somewhere down the line
the tab will have to be paid for those trinkets. A straw man argument persists about
how citizenship for the illegals leads to higher food prices, but most
realistic thinkers realize the market could adjust to that factor. The real
impact for the consumer will be the now and future increase in federal, state,
and local spending to accommodate our newest citizens and the resulting tax
increases necessary to finance it. There is genuine concern that the public
assistance demands in our country cannot tolerate an additional 20 million or
so new comers and the subsequent generations to follow.
An esoteric yet fleeting notion exists abroad about America
being the land of opportunity....the great Melting Pot. Past generations of
those landing on our shores legally came here truly to assimilate...to learn
English....to become productive members of this great land. While there are
many who still share that ideal, they are the ones that are at the back of the
line of the immigration rolls, waiting patiently (and legally) for their chance
to be a productive part of the many opportunities our country has to offer.
These are the immigrants that most Americans welcome with open arms. They
respect our laws, have an overwhelming desire to become productive members of
our society, and most importantly, want to play by the rules. After years of
waiting, they proudly gather in courtrooms, libraries, or other public meeting
areas and take their oaths of citizenship. With their hands placed respectfully
over their hearts, they pledge allegiance to our flag.
While I share Mr. Pot's frustration about a realistic
solution to the many illegal aliens in our country, I firmly believe that very
little if anything will change dramatically. Politicians WILL slowly
allow a more liberal policy about immigration. We WILL NOT erect a Great
Wall our borders with which to hold back the hordes. Public entitlements in border states and
elsewhere WILL balloon to unmanageable proportions. We WILL NOT
embrace mass deportations. Conservatives will be thrown a few bones
to politically purchase their vote. Perhaps voting privileges for our newest
citizens will be delayed. Perhaps participation in the Social Security and
Medicare schemes may be temporarily prohibited. In any event, the liberal crowd
will have their way, eventually. They are a patient lot, and will continue to
rely on their Republican counterparts to remain a spineless lot. Together, they are insuring America will change. Fortunately for those
of us who knew of America's greatness at one time, we won't be around to
notice.
Respectfully ( and regretfully ) submitted,
Mr. Kettle
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