Our "immigration problem," like many other conundrums we encounter, is the result of various prior failures to correctly assess or fully address minor deviations from logical or moral standards. Our custom of opting for quick and easy solutions to problematic situations later culminates in the need for a further "quick fix." Then the "quick fixes" increase their frequency until we come to notice that there is "an ongoing problem."
By then the effects have become multi-faceted, and have manifested in a wide range of seemingly unrelated forms. Many have gained the status of distinct "problems" in their own right. We usually attempt to resolve some of them, but ignore the others. Consequently, it seems that the more problems we tackle, the more appear.
Somewhat like when a ship is taking on water faster than it can be bailed-out, we keep bailing and at the same time we struggle to patch the leaks. We keep everyone very busy. But after the ship sinks --and even if it doesn’t-- at our first opportunity we usually try to identify the causative factors, then take measures to ensure the circumstances won't recur. We go "Back to Basics." We recognize and set new standards for basic materials, basic operating procedures, safer routes, minimum command qualification requirements, or whatever is seen to be the root cause of the problem.
We might do well to take the same approach to some of our more sophisticated and less tangible social problems. There must come a point where we pause our frenetic exercise of "feel good" remedies, re-evaluate the situation to see where we went astray in the beginning, then try to devise ways to eradicate the sources of such dilemmas. Illegal immigration is only one such dilemma, but it is as good a place as any to begin to backtrack to the source.
First, let's be clear: LEGAL immigration is not the problem. We already have laws to regulate that. How those limitations might be eased, or whether they should be, is a legitimate topic for another discussion.
But ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is a separate matter. It is ILLEGAL. Let's not allow anyone to confuse the two. How to prevent ILLEGAL immigration is the popular current topic of discussion, and that's what has prompted me to comment.
We're currently being showered with several "quick fix" remedies:
"Build a wall or fence," they say.
Or "post our troops along the border."
Or "just let everyone in, don't worry about it."
Or "issue green cards" (or "smart" cards).
Well, how far is it from San Diego to the Gulf of Mexico?
How long is the Great Wall of China? Did you ever hear of airplanes? Hot Air Balloons? Ladders?
How many troops (in three shifts) would be required to stand along that border to be certain no-one got through? What are the supply logistics? How about cost estimates?
If there were no limitations, does anyone think that fewer than half of all Mexicans would come here? Wouldn't the criminal types be the first wave? Where would they all go?
Does anyone think there would be enough jobs? How would they eat?
If more "green cards" were issued they'd be counterfeited, just as they have been already. We've been trying to patch that leak for years.
If "smart" cards were issued, the very next step would be the requirement that WE ALL must have them. "How could that work? Won't we then need to deport anyone who doesn't have a card?" That's the logical objection we're certain to hear.
But until we first have a voting system that enables us to use such a card as our voter registration card, facilitating full participation and real democratic control of our political processes, such a universal "smart" card ID system is a virtual guarantee of instantaneous Totalitarianism.
Any more hare-brained ideas? Should we spend a few billion dollars trying the ideas above before we waste any more time thinking about this? That's what we usually do, isn't it? Why stop now?
Wait a minute! What did I say? Voter registration card.... ...hm-m-m...
The main reason Mexican citizens are in such deplorable straits is that they have never had a truly representative democratic form of government. They have never overcome the domination of their original European conquerors. They were initially too unsuspecting and too ill to resist, and they've never recovered enough to overcome their plight. All attempts have met either resounding defeat or instant repeat at the hands of the next wave of tyrants.
Meanwhile, the United States came into existence through different but equally tragic circumstances. But by sheer happenstance the situation was enough different that a few
unusually intelligent and altruistic, heroic individuals happened to come together and successfully conceive and incorporate the most amazing Constitution ever contrived.
Most of us now here understand that we have simply had the extreme good fortune to have been born on this side of an imaginary line in the desert. Yet we've failed to demonstrate our appreciation and gratitude by accepting responsibility to maintain that Constitution. It may soon be gone forever. Look what has already happened:
Underhanded implementation of the NAFTA "Agreement" (a sneaky semantic trick that bypassed the opportunity for evaluation and democratic decision by the voters that is legally required for a real "Treaty") has already resulted in greater exploitation of Mexican workers. It has also cost many American jobs. Passage was an historical travesty of "representative" Constitutional democracy, yet few objections were aired. The Mexican people have never had an enforceable Constitution. We are allowing ours to be decimated.
Soon we'll all be in the same boat, bailing for our lives!
To attack our predicament by going "Back to Basics" will require resuscitation of those fundamental principles whose abrogation has resulted in our current difficulties. By sheer good fortune, technology now makes it possible for us to achieve Equal and effective political representation to an unprecedented degree by implementation of an electronic voting system that utilizes "smart" Voter Registration Cards. Once instituted for that application, thus granting the U.S. citizenry effective democratic control of our political mechanisms --as the framers of our Constitution intended-- such "smart" cards could then be used for many beneficial applications.
But be forewarned; those same applications will place Freedom and Liberty in great jeopardy if they are imposed prior to the voting application. Such cards are already being imposed for dangerous functions. We must install such a voting system! Soon!
Only then can we step back through the rapidly growing trash heaps of bent, broken, and discarded Constitutional principles to recover and restore the greatness and the promise of this nation.
And only then would it become reasonable to issue such "smart" "work" or "temporary residence" cards to those who want to cross the border.
Only then will their productive efforts actually be a positive contribution to our economy and our social mores. For only then can we enable them to come here legally, work for fair wages, pay their share of taxes, send their legally earned money back to help their families and fellow countrymen, and do so with a status of respect and honor. (Anything short of this only imposes one more form of tyranny for them to endure. We're doing that now.)
Only then can we in good conscience maintain records that illustrate law-abiding behavior that might justify granting citizenship instead of keeping only negative records indicating contact with law enforcement agencies.
Only then can their earnings, their example and their experience become a positive and effective force in bringing their countrymen to appreciate the value of the principles of democracy, Freedom and Liberty; --so that they might be adequately motivated to attain them for themselves. A similar voting system might be their only chance to make the necessary Giant Step forward. Our prototype could set the example and render their system more affordable.
But the important lesson in all this is:
Only when we have implemented that truly democratic voting system and re-introduced our fundamental principles will we have shown ourselves to be humane, intelligent, logical, unhypocritical and self-sufficient enough to deserve the good fortune bequeathed to us by the framers of our Constitution. And only then will we be able to reap and share the cornucopia of yet unrealized potential benefits they bestowed.
For only by re-establishing our own Freedom and Liberty and political authority will we be able to humanely accommodate rather than further exploit our Mexican neighbors. And only then will Illegal Immigration cease to be a "problem."
Otherwise, how many "quick fixes" and how many years, and how many lives will we expend before this "Immigration Problem" is resolved by any other means? Any guesses?
© Sept. 2001 G.F.H.
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