The American Spectator

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Playing Labor Pool

4.4.06 @ 12:01AM

LABOR FLOOD FALLOUT
Re: Paul Chesser's Costly Refilling of the Labor Pool:

Here are a few thoughts on the consequences of illegal immigration that proponents seem to ignore.

1. Crime. Federal pens currently house one-third illegal immigrants. That's not a trifling number. That means we have to pay for the incarceration, apprehension, legal expense et al of someone that should not be here in the first place! Same holds true for California. Here's another scary thought; late last year, Federal law enforcement with state and locals arrested 10,000 gang members, all here illegally. And that was only 10 percent of them! That means that 90,000 of them roaming our streets. These individuals kill at the drop of a hat. And why not; penalty for them doesn't fit the crime!

2. Economics. Throughout the '40s and '50s there were jobs in America where an immigrant could move up without formal education. Auto and chemical plants, come to mind. These jobs provided good wages, insurance and an avenue for upward mobility. They're gone now, due to export overseas and improved productivity. They will never return. New economy requires education; make that advanced education. It's simply not available to the fruit picker and day laborer. Illegal immigration creates a permanent underclass that is a breeding ground for hatred and envy. Result; one day we'll have massive riots.

3. Individuals you speak of have no connection to this country other than economic. They want into the States because there's an avenue to make some money and send it "home." As I recall, transfer payments to Mexico are their biggest source of foreign currency. Note; by the way, how many waived the Mexican flag at their rallies. I also recall that several years ago in a California stadium, the American soccer team had garbage thrown at them. The opponent: Mexico! A recent interview with a "leader" in the demonstrations; we want "universal health care," "living wage" and "open borders," all right now. The United States owes us that!

4. Illegal immigrants come with a cost factor that their taxes simply don't cover. Who picks up the tab for health care, education and everything else? The United States taxpayer, that's who.

Here's a question for you. How did the United States get along before the flood of illegal aliens?
-- name withheld

Mama always said, "Just do the right thing and it will work out." She never meant that the situation would work the way I wanted it to always but that I would be left with a clean conscience, a strong moral compass, and certitude to continue doing what was right. Mama needs to talk to Congress. She admits to being too mad to do so right at the moment. And I agree with her. I must, as a military mom (and mom-in-law) of two ask myself just what are we fighting for. It isn't that I don't believe in the war on terror, in fact, my family understands it too well, having once been a target of a terrorist group in Germany in the 198's. However, protection begins at home, first.

Perhaps we are different, as we live on the land and off the land. And we do most work ourselves, as my Dad always taught us to be self-sufficient. And, unlike Mr. Chesser's article states, we live in a part of the country where others do the same. We know a few dairy men who have to hire labor to help with 24/7 demands of milking cows, but for the most part, in our neck of the woods most folks do their own work.

I just want people in Congress to forget serving the fringe, and like my mama states, do the right thing. Republicans, are you hearing me? Forget who are going to be the fringe voters and do the right thing because it is the right thing. Or you might find yourselves elected out of office by the base, those of us who are here legally and can vote legally.

I heard Sen. Lindsey Graham say that he didn't want to hurt the feelings of a Hispanic soldier fighting for freedom. Senator, I don't want the rest of the soldiers' faces slapped by that statement, as if their service and voting power was negated because they WERE here legally. Do you realize how that statement sounded to those of us who don't show up to protest but show up to defend? I wonder.

Mama has the right idea...and she had it before Nike did...to her it was and still is...Just do it (RIGHT) and you won't have to be ashamed later. And for those of us who wonder about who we are letting in...you won't have to be afraid of just who is coming here illegally and what they might do. And you also won't have to wonder why anyone would want to follow the laws of this land when you selectively let some take a pass. Citizenship should mean something. So, too, should the laws of the land.
-- Beverly Gunn
East Texas Rancher

If the Constitution were amended so that children of illegal aliens born in the U.S. would not automatically be citizens, it would stop a large percent of illegal border crossings.

Non-citizens would not qualify for municipal, state, or federal jobs, nor would they be able to bring non-legal family members into this country. Birth certificates issued to illegal aliens would state the illegal status, and both mother and child would be returned across the border. In many, if not most cases, the fathers would follow the family.

It would not solve the entire border issue but it could be part of the solution.
-- David Smith
Pearland, Texas
P.S. Both my parents were legal immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island in 1915, sponsored by family members who arrived years earlier, and learned English by attending night school; they became citizens. I never can I recall them flying the flag of their birth country.

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