I think that if illegal immigration weren't so damn profitable, then it wouldn't be half the problem. I think it begins with the abject refusal of businesses and ranch hands to employ undocumented workers. IF -- big if -- those individuals want to work and take proper advantage of attain US citizenship, it has to come with proper clearance. A CLEAN clearance, mind you. Piling obstacles on the path of attain proper citizenship and documentation really doesn't do much to combat the problem.
But, you know, this is bigger than just people sneaking across the border. With the responsibility of increased border security and ongoing effort to promote safe neighborhoods and cities comes an increased dedication on the part of Americans to stop taking advantage of the damaged system. Like others have said in the thread, people continue to pay for cheap labor. Yes, we like value products; we like saving money. And we'll stretch the dollar for what it's worth, even if it costs in the long-run suitable manufacturing jobs on this side of the Atlantic, lower quality products, and the biased advantage for megacorporations that can tolerate the bottom line even if the local economies can't.
I don't support unbridled amnesty. I think children can't be helped if they were born into this madness. Their parents, however, can. I don't think all evils are built the same. Obviously, I would find it more legally reprehensible to cause crime, murder, theft, etc. in involvement through a gang than to dodge taxes. (Hell, who isn't trying to get around those?)
I just need to see something comprehensive and well-thought being put into action.
In the meantime, I'm still wondering how this land was Aztlan for 40,000 years. I may be stunted, but I'm still thinking Native Americans get first crack at bashing skulls. I mean, we only gave them smallpox and made them do the Trail of Tears, right?
For the record -- and I'm a little pressed for time to get into it, but I'll come back -- I just imagine that the real anti-color supremacists out there must be having a field day right now. I think this is their vision realized, seeing people of color battle, war, and kill one another to just get a piece of this elusive American dream. I think white overt victimization (e.g. victim of direct crime, abuse, injury) is definitely on the decrease since Blacks and Mexicans have to wage war on each other in Los Angeles. I continue to fail to understand how difficult it is to make enough money and get along peacefully in this society, without swimming in debt, whoring out your body parts, or living just shy of an emergency meltdown.
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(...also, um, Larry Craig just needs to get off the damn TV! "I view it as a lifestyle I don't agree with." Quit pickin' up toilet paper, fool!)
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