Warning: Rant Ahead
You know, if you turned on the television this weekend or yesterday you would have thought we were being invaded. Everywhere I turned there were protests on immigration. The whole thing has given me a belly ache. Take yesterday, for instance. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 Latino/a students skipped class to protest Immigration Reform measures being considered in Congress. Tell me, how am I supposed to look favorably on this group? First of all, they skip class - a no-no in my book. Second, by doing so, they cost the schools much-needed state-based funding linked to attendance. Third, they freakin' choose to walk down the freeways, highways, and smaller roads putting themselves in mortal danger and impeding commerce. How am I, a law-abiding tax payer to look upon these people? I'll do you one better. They were waving Mexican flags.
I'm sorry, but that is insulting. If you want to make yourself known as a contributing group of society, if you want me to feel in charity with you, you don't suggest that the US stole your rightful land and burn the American flag. You want to stay in America? Become a fucking citizen and pay your fair share.
I am not a racist. I merely believe that people ought to all play by the same rules. It offends me that there are people on waiting lists to become citizens and these people sneak across the border, effectively cheating those on the waiting lists. Amnesty is a mistake, if only for the reason that it encourages this unlawful behavior. If you want to be an American, by all means, do so. Learn the Constitution and our history, take the test, and the pledge. But don't come sneaking into the country and expect all the same benefits as those who came her lawfully and live here peacefully within the constraints of the law.
I honestly don't think that is too much to ask.
The porosity of our borders is a very real security threat. I'm not worried about the folks coming over looking for jobs, but rather the ones that have other more nefarious purposes. And, let's not kid ourselves. We can't turn a blind eye to the good illegals and prevent the bad ones from entering if we aren't being diligent.
But, even supposing that you could somehow keep al Qaeda from crossing the borders, illegal aliens still pose problems.
I, as I've said before, am from a small Ag-based community in the Southwest. The county has 2,000 people, if that tells you anything. In this community we have illegal aliens. No big surprise there. But what nobody likes to talk about are the costs of these members of society in terms of extra uncovered services. Who pays for these people when it comes to health services? And welfare benefits? And when they or their children commit crimes in the community?
My family has hired lawful people with green cards to work for our business. We have nothing but respect for them in general because they are such hard workers. Sometimes we have had people who have come for the busy season and gone back to Mexico during the winter months, only to return the following Spring. Others have worked for us for years, non-stop. It is wrong to paint all illegal aliens with the same broad brush, but the actions of a few have spoiled things for everyone else.
I can't emphasize how strongly I feel, though, that any legislation that includes amnesty is a mistake. For one thing, it would potentially legalize members of al Qaeda who are here with nefarious purposes. This also suggests to lawful people waiting on lists that the US encourages the breaking of our own laws.
Our country is one of the best in the world. Citizenship is a privilege. You have to earn it. If all you have to do is wait your turn, is that too much to ask? I don't think so. I think we ought to treat ourselves with a bit of respect and show the world that is banging on the door wanting to come to the party, that you have to wait your turn for the potty, don't double-dip your chip, and don't steal from the coat room.
That's just my take.
