Solution?
Aside from scholastic and ethical debates at the university, I usually steer clear of political and religious discussions. I’m usually of the viewpoint that self-serving individuals pursuing their own ingrained desires for power and vanity corrupt 99.9% of the political institutions of the world. Typically, religious discussions tend to be very personal and are not worth the tension that they may cause. I will preface my comments with two points before I begin. The first is that I understand that I have no legitimate facts to back my point of view at this time. The second is that I am very proud to live in this country and desire to be no place else, regardless of our collective faults, real or imagined.
What I feel a need to discuss is one of the current hot button political issues of the foreseeable future: Mexican immigration. This is certainly of concern to residents of our county, as we have traditionally had a large number of migrant workers and immigrants from Mexico in our community. If you don’t believe me, take a ride through Kennet Square. A visit there is almost as good as a trip across the border to Nogales. The uninitiated can always get a sample of authentic imported dishes and goods there.
Many would ask, “How did this come to be?” The answer is that the majority of sane human beings strive to have a better life for their future generations and themselves. Legal, or illegal, these individuals only desire what the majority of “native” county residents yearn for: something more, and something better. I, for one, see nothing wrong with this. The only problem I really see is that business owners that are “forced to compete” are unmercifully exploiting some of these people to the point of indentured slavery.
Maybe the solution for our illegal immigration problem in this country needs to be something different than border fences, National Guard patrols, and identification papers. Maybe we would be better off investing our dollars and passions into making Mexico better, insisting that they raise their standards of living to a point where their citizens can live proudly, justly, and healthily. Force them to bridge the gap between their rich and poor. They just need a reason to want to stay.
Time to step off my soapbox. Is this point of view a little naïve? Likely. At least it’s no worse than the politicians in Washington pandering to voter’s fears and ignorance.
What I feel a need to discuss is one of the current hot button political issues of the foreseeable future: Mexican immigration. This is certainly of concern to residents of our county, as we have traditionally had a large number of migrant workers and immigrants from Mexico in our community. If you don’t believe me, take a ride through Kennet Square. A visit there is almost as good as a trip across the border to Nogales. The uninitiated can always get a sample of authentic imported dishes and goods there.
Many would ask, “How did this come to be?” The answer is that the majority of sane human beings strive to have a better life for their future generations and themselves. Legal, or illegal, these individuals only desire what the majority of “native” county residents yearn for: something more, and something better. I, for one, see nothing wrong with this. The only problem I really see is that business owners that are “forced to compete” are unmercifully exploiting some of these people to the point of indentured slavery.
Maybe the solution for our illegal immigration problem in this country needs to be something different than border fences, National Guard patrols, and identification papers. Maybe we would be better off investing our dollars and passions into making Mexico better, insisting that they raise their standards of living to a point where their citizens can live proudly, justly, and healthily. Force them to bridge the gap between their rich and poor. They just need a reason to want to stay.
Time to step off my soapbox. Is this point of view a little naïve? Likely. At least it’s no worse than the politicians in Washington pandering to voter’s fears and ignorance.
posted by TGB at
3:49 AM
2 Comments:
This is indeed a very “hot” and sensitive topic. You have a point. Why not throw money to Mexico to get them to clean up their act? After all, we are already giving their citizens free health care and educations here in the US. Although it is a teacher’s responsibility to alert the authorities should they suspect a child is being abused, they are permitted to turn a blind eye to students without a social security number or proof of citizenship. We are obligated to give these students an education and see that they have health care. Before you yell at me, my heart wants them have health care and a good education; I’m just saying that it is all out of balance. Schools have to obtain Pennsylvania Secure ID numbers for students by listing the student’s name and social security number to obtain the secure identification number they will have for life. Big brother can follow them from kindergarten through any post secondary education they may receive. What to do if you don’t have a social security number? Well, you can just make-up a number and hope it doesn’t match anyone else’s or you can obtain an illegal one. Obviously this works.
Meanwhile young US citizens and their families are just as hungry, cold, sick, homeless and undereducated. After decades of federally funding migrant education programs, we finally have a program that works for/with the homeless student.
Being here and enjoying the freedoms we offer isn’t the problem for me, being here illegally is whatever the reason. Perhaps we need to invest more money into setting up a good legal immigration process with registration available to everyone regardless of their economic level.
Bee: Thanks for the insight from a different perspective. It’s the people in education and social services that have to deal with these problems face-to-face, not pandering politicians in Washington.
Maybe the biggest change has to be who we elect to govern us, and making sure THEIR vanity is put aside and that they are making decisions to truly benefit their constituents.
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