I listen to a LOT of Talk Radio from 7 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, provided it doesn't rain. Luckily, I mostly work alone, outside, and with people who don't speak much (English).
One of the common problems discussed is that of illegal immigration. I've heard the immigrants called everything from 'undocumented workers' to an 'invading army bent on returning the land to Mexico'.
Personally, I am torn on this issue. As a very right wing conservative, I see that it is a double standard to allow one group of people to BLATANTLY disregard the law. I know that if i legally left the U.S. and returned illegally, there would be a high likelyhood that I'd be spending some time incarcerated. I ask... Why Is This So?
On the other hand, I am personally acquainted with some illegals. They are, for the most part, exceptionally hard workers and friendly, fun-loving people. They know the value of hard work and a job well done. We work side by side most days.
I realize that illegal immigration, if allowed to continue unchecked, will result in a fundamental change in our nation, from simple demographics to culture, from language to religion.
There are, I think, three basic ways to handle the illegal immigration situation. Two are on either extreme of the spectrum, and one dead in the middle. They are:
Option A: Close The Borders And Throw 'Em Out!
Option B: Business As Usual
Option C: Welcome Them And Convert Them!
CLOSE THE BORDERS AND THROW 'EM OUT!
This is the option that I believe most right-wingers could accept.
Creation of a true Border Patrol with the introduction of another branch of the military called the USBG. No, not the United States BeeGees, the United States Border Guards. This service could initially draw from recent military retirees, servive transfers, law enforcement, and eventually, from a pool of recruits who have gone through proper boot camp and language schooling.
this force would be stationed along the border in facilities from which could be launched manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft, conducting the lions' share of the patrol duty. When crossings are noted, then Quick Response units would be vectored in to take the offenders into custody.
They would be identified via biometrics and, on the 1st offense, taken to a border crossing and released. I call this stage the Tag and Release.
On future encounters with the USBG, the offenders would be held, subjected to a ,military tribunal, and sentences carried out from release again to a more lengthy stay in America before a repeast release. Each time, the sentences would increase, with a three strikes and you're out policy.
These prisons would be set up on the idea of being self sufficient in food grown and working in factories with excess capital being reinvested in the service, and the prisoners being paid funds into accounts which they could access after release.
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Change nothing.
This would satisfy most on the left.
WELCOME THEM AND CONVERT 'EM!
This option stands conventional wisdom on its head and would anger most on the right and left. This is what I call the third way.
What would happen if we stopped resisting them and resenting them, and instead welcomed them into our culture?
We set up welcome stations along the border to welcome them into the country, registered them for work, entered their biometrics into a database and give them Guest Worker Cards. For those who choose to stay, they would be put on a path to American Citizenship. They would be indoctrinated into our history (real history), culture, language; with them earning privilige points along the way.
I believe this option would result in them becoming, for the most part, patriotic and productive Americans. Remember this, ours is virtually the only country for which people risk their lives to enter; not to leave.
Maybe options A and B are impossible and we will be stuck with B, but I will leave you with a poem written by Emma Lazarus which is insribed on the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World in the harbor of New York City. I ask that you read these words aloud to yourself and ponder their meaning.
THE NEW COLOSSUS
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of exiles. from her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Giveme your tired, your poor.
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
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