Posted on 05/26/2006 10:27:03 AM PDT by FOXFANVOX
Some Premises prior to discussion:
One can disagree with the President without disliking him.
One can disagree with the immigration policy without being a racist.
One can disagree with people and policy for many reasons: principles, experience, logic and, yes, even emotion. It is not useful to call someone hateful because they disagree with you.
My Views on Immigration Legislation are:
First, the security of the border must be achieved or significantly underway before any treatment of illegals is considered. A commitment to security must be stated and seen. There is no single way to secure the border. Many different methods can and should be employed. For Americans to hear that our US Border Patrol is sharing information about the Minutemen with the Mexicans is not easily understood. To hear that under proposed legislation, the Mexican government will be consulted before the US builds a wall is not easily understood.
If any perceived "amnesty" program is instituted before the borders are secured, the borders will be rife with illegal crossings. Remember we have 10% of Mexico's population here already!
Second, the treatment of illegals in this country is a complex issue, with tax [and Social Security] and medical [including health] and voting and cultural, [etc., etc.] consequences. And, yes, emotional consequences.
The use of the word "amnesty" has been batted around quite a bit. I think any honest observer would call the current proposal a de facto amnesty. But, Sen. McCain, in a rare moment of clarity, perhaps described it best as "earned" amnesty.
There is no need for the offer of US citizenship to be the first choice to solve the problem. Many of us view being an American as a God given gift; a true blessing. It demeans that gift to use it as a bargaining chip in a political ploy. Arlen Specter just said a resolution must be found for this issue prior to November or the voters will hold the Republicans responsible. Well, I am already holding Sen. Specter reponsible for making this critical issue a political football for the coming elections. If these politicians were at all honest, they would admit that this issue demands a great deal of study. What would no action beget? Nothing worse than what is being proposed. Either way, the illegals remain. As illegals, their impact now is largely economic. But, as citizens, their impact on the US would be tragic. So there should be no rush to enactment. Take time and get it right. The voters will reward Republicans if they do. If, however, they tack a faulty bill together simply to make Karl Rove happy with a "comprehensive" bill, I think they will be treated badly in November.
We all need to contact our elected representatives and let them know we support immediate border security, but we oppose offering US citizenship to illegal immigrants until there is further study of the consequences.
Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember how much others have sacrifcied for this country. Can we honor them in any better way than to insist that our borders be made secure.
Amen.
My grandfather did not spend two years in Europe, during and after WWII, just to have this great nation surrender to a bunch of illegal aliens.
Very true.
I am blessed in that my family has a long history of fighting for this country. It gives one a very different perspective when you have knowledge of such things. I feel sorry for those who may never know the contributions of their own ancestors.
I can't remember the last time hearing the national anthem didn't cause my eyes to well up.
Do it today and repeat as needed.
God Bless YOU!!
thank you so much for sharing this with us!
The time is now.
We, the people, don't count for crap any longer with the bums we continually put in office.
Communicate and communicate often with your representatives!
It seems that our politicians have forgotten those words, Bill.
Those in the senate should be reminded of this specifc portion daily in my opinion.
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
His eyes tell me how confused he is..
(For you, Dad)...
Here, here, god bless your dad this Memorial day and all days.
As a retired military guy myself, I share his confusion at how far our country has drifted from its roots and traditions.
Thank him for his service and remind him that we have lost a few battles along the way but the war is not yet lost.
Even though my current Representative, John Campbell, seems very solid on illegal immigration, I will go to his local office this afternoon and hand deliver my letter.
Not to be flippant, but it seems that is the part that our neighbors to the south have read and are trying to implement...here!
You are setting a great example! Here is hoping that all the people that read my Post also read [and heed!] your responses. That is how the tide gets turned, one wave at a time.
I don't disagree at all and don't think you're being even remotely flippant.
My personal opinion is that those that govern mexico are actively trying to overthrow our government by flooding us with their unwanted citizens who they then demand U.S. citizenship for.
That's an excellent idea. I'll visit mine next week.
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