Can You Help America?

Are you willing to give five minutes or more of your time to think about a solution to a very costly problem that exists in every State in the Union?

If you listen to Rush Limbaugh on TV or on his radio show, you will hear him discuss how dumb and ineffective Democrats can be. He has been saying that the Democrats are only good at whining about problems, not at fixing problems. Rush says the Republicans are the only party that actually fixes problems. Do you believe this? FreeRepublic.com is overflowing with Republicans isn't it? I propose that the Republican FReepers attempt to find a solution to this major problem and demonstrate to America just how effective Republicans (and FReepers) can be.

In the early 1960s, approximately 62,000 illegal aliens came across the Mexican border, and the INS considered this notable and worthy of action. Now, in the first decade of the 21st Century, hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens enter the United States across the Mexican border each year and the INS declares the problem too big to tackle because nothings stems the tide. Federal immigration laws state that sneaking into America without going through the INS Border Patrol stations is illegal. Hiring an illegal alien is illegal. Sheltering an illegal alien is illegal. And keeping knowledge from law enforcement as to the whereabouts of an illegal alien is illegal. With Agenda 21, the politicians are looking at every way possible to give those who break these laws a pass by granting amnesty and American citizenship to illegal immigrants. Agenda 21 means effectively removing the borders between Mexico and the US. NAFTA just opened our roads to tractor trailers from Mexico. This situation will become much worse.

This problem has been ignored in just about every city and county in America while costing exorbitant amounts of taxpayer dollars, spent on social welfare and the education of illegal aliens. Ignoring this problem also comes with the cost of an increasing crime rate resulting in too many American citizens being victims at the hands of illegal aliens. Governments at all levels, federal, state and local are not protecting America's federal nor State sovereignty,. nor are they protecting American citizens.

Why should you and I support a federal lawbreaker in our State? So an incumbent politician can get reelected with their illegal vote? I don't think so!

Matricula consular identification cards are solid identification of an illegal allien. If you can't show a birth certificate, a Visa or a green card then you are an illegal alien who has broken our immigration laws. They must leave America and reenter within our laws. We shouldn't have to amend our laws to accommidate lawbreakers! What example does that set for those who are attempting to enter America legally? Much more important: What example does this give our children? That breaking the law can be a rewarding act? If our immigration laws carry no penalty for being broken, why should bank robbery, or molesting children be punished? Do we make our laws for them to be ignored by aliens and politicians? Is a vote more precious than our standards and ideals? Our politicians must believe so, judging from their responses.

The words "protect the people" are found in virtually every Oath of Office taken by elected and appointed officials in the US, including the police chiefs, mayors, county sheriffs, state legislators, governors, congressional representatives, and senators. Sadly, not one of these officials on the public dole is taking their Oath of Office seriously when it comes to the issue of illegal immigration.

The Supreme Court of the United States has wisely ruled that the Feds cannot force state, county or city law enforcement officers to enforce federal laws (including immigration laws), and our local and state officials use this as an excuse to turn their heads on the problem of illegal immigration while our communities slide steadily downhill. Government officials continue to demand higher taxes to keep the illegal immigration problems under "control" yet we can only sit back in wonderment as they pay lip service to the problem while actually enacting legislation and policies that encourage people to emigrate to the US illegally with promises of social welfare and education benefits.

Being an American is a primarily a state of mind for all of us - being a proud American is based on the idea of freedom and self-reliance. We are all immigrants from one country or another, and we (or our forebears) became Americans by consciously subscribing to these ideas. We came here legally, we obey the laws and we promote the idea that others obey the laws in the same way. Are we supposed to sit and wait while the political class comes up with the politically correct so-called solutions that fail to keep America strong and our families safe?

How many foreign college students choose each year to stay in America rather than obey the conditions upon which they entered America? How many older vistors choose to stay at the end of their vacations? How many deported criminal aliens return using a different name? How many Muslims are in America illegally studing our open way of life, just waiting for an opportunity to repeat 9/11? I am sure we have illegal aliens from every country in this world enjoying the American lifestyle, helping to bring us down to a third world power. We aren't too far from becoming the country that these people left. The American culture can only absorb so many new residents each year without radical changes. We have passed that number. We must act now before the policical leaders offer them amnesty and permanently defeat our way of life. The time has come to stand up and fight for what we believe in. The Constitution will become wastepaper. The Bill of Rights will become a memory. Our flag will become a symbol of defeat.

If you have listened to Rush, you know the truth of his broadcasts. If you haven't listened to him, here's an opportunity for you to show how good FReeper Republicans can be at finding solutions to our nationwide illegal immigration problems.

So tell us, what should be done to fix the problems of illegal immigration in your community?

#1. Should we acquiesce and allow the illegal immigration to continue while waiting for the elected officials to address the problem in a substantive way?

#2. Should we wait for Federal legislators to compromise our security and way of life by resolving the problem in a manner that is politically correct and acceptable to every nation in the world?

#3. If we continue to send snail mail and email letters to your local and State leaders. Will the roar be ever loud enough to be heard in the highest offices? What will their response be? Submition to illegal immigrants who want to change America forever?

#4. Should we wait until you fly off the handle and lash out at an illegal alien, surely resulting in legal problems that will further harm your family and ruin your life's ambition to be a good and loyal American citizen?

#5. Should you ignore the illegal immigration problem and hope it will go away before it gets much worse?

It is time to stand together to correct this problem. You are the leader in your family. Your kids look to you to protect them. If you don't help us now, will your children be able to look at you with pride or shame in five years. It's your freedom and your way of life that is up for grabs.

I said that I wasn't going to get involved in this one. I told myself that I was going to keep my damn fool mouth shut, lest I stick my foot in it. But noooooo... So here goes:

Many people seem to feel that illegal immigrants are vile scum who break our immigration laws expressly to rape our women, kill our men, and tax our welfare and health care systems. After hearing Michelle Malkin speak, I was struck by her obviously hysterical portrait of illegals, which is completely false for the overwhelming majority of them.

'Hysterical?' I don't think so -- we're a nation at war. Many speculative fiction writers have portrayed "future" wars as being fought not among nations, but among corporate entities, and quasi-nation pseudo-states, and by God, one of those quasi-states declared war on the US on 9/11.

In a time of war, you have to look at your defenses. You have to recognize who are your friends and who are not. And I don't know that we can recognize Mexico as our friends. Thanks to an open borders policy, they can admit anyone from anywhere. And thanks to our toilet paper-thin border with Mexico, those folks can enter this country without as much as a by-your-leave. At least the border with Canada could be called balsa wood in comparison.

I like illegal immigrants. That's right, I do. They have the guts to flee the disasterous problems in their own country and seek new frontiers in the US. They take enormous risks to come here, walking through deserts, piling into flimsy vehicles, and going for long periods of time without food or water. All so they can work here and send their earnings down to their long-suffering families back in Mexico.

And does this mean that you don't have a problem with those entering this country from Haiti? Why, they certainly are entering the nation at "enormous risk," in "flimsy vehicles" and "going for long periods without food or water.

Contrary to many here, not only do I think that we need to have stringent controls on those entering from Mexico, but also on those from Haiti and Cuba as well. We give "special exception" for "refugees" from Cuba, but let's call 'em what they are -- illegal aliens. Those Cubans have entered this country just as illegally as those from Mexico or Haiti. But because we've got a "small" philosophical problem with Fidel Castro, they get a pass? I don't think so.

They are just as much part of the problem as those from below the border. And they pose just as much risk as those from elsewhere. My point is that to effectivcely enforce a tightened southern border, we also need to stem the tide of those coming here from across the Florida Straits.

Yes, they are lawbreakers. So are most of us; do you not go 55 miles an hour in a 45 zone much of the time? Do you not arrange your tax return to pay as little tax as possible? Of course you do.

Whether we are "lawbreakers" or not is immaterial to this issue. The issue is defending the borders of this soverign nation from those who would invade - one way or another.

Don't get me wrong - I've got no problem with legal immigration. Plenty do it all the time, and there's nothing preventing it, especially for those from a non-opporessive regime in Mexico.

I am not saying illegals are perfect, but they do the jobs most of us don't want to do, and they work hard and do them well. From what I have seen, most of our native entry-level workers are apathetic, spoiled and rebellious; Mexicans come to do our work, and don't complain.

So, since they are willing to become our "underclass" and do all the "grunt" jobs that we "don't want to do" then it's OK to let them in? How much more condescending can you be? This proposal sounds little different from the liberal "we're from the Governement, we're here to "help" you" mentality. And furthermore, who are you to say what jobs people here want and don't want to do? When people enter "survival" mode, they do whatever job they have the opportunity and skill-set to manage to be able to do, all while they find a way to scrabble out of whatever hole they've ended up in.

Because it looks a lot like a war against hispanics, even those who are in the country legally. Those here in California will not vote for a Republican for as long as this issue is prominent. What you're going to do is split the Republican party over this issue, and ensure the Democrats a permanent lock on the Statehouse.
More to the point, all of this hateful talk about illegals strikes me as UnAmerican, contrary to the principles we hold dear. Illegals are trying to better themselves, to find a better, fuller, more satisfying life.

Because it "looks" like a war against Hispanics? Or it looks like a soverign nation protecting itself? One who happens to have more in its coffers, and therefore is ripe for the picking?

The hatred I hear in your voices for illegals will force everyone who is an immigrant, is the child of an immigrant, or is friends with an immigrant to vote against you. If fully expressed, as you folks seem to want, it will create 90-10 margins for the Democrats among Hispanic voters, and our party will be finished. Frankly, it appalls me that people I generally like and respect are listening seriously to this kind of talk.

I've had this conversation with hchutch previously. If we grant amnesty to illegals, you will see illegals enter this country like never before. You think there's a flood coming across the Rio Grande basin now, just you wait. And if you think all those brand new illegals will "gladly" vote Republican, then your rose-colored glasses are thicker than I thought.

There will be a torrent like never before into this country, and they'll set up shop in Texas, in Arizona, in California, in Colorado, and begin to work their way northward and eastward. And of course, if it's OK for them to enter, then what about the Haitians and Cubans? Ready for literally hundreds of leaky washtub excuses for boats in the Florida Straits? Ready for dozens of stolen airplanes landing in the Everglades?

Be careful of what you wish for. You just might get it.

Before I close this up, I should respond to Michelle Malkin's point about Al Queda and immigration law. Is it true the Al Queda members could flood into this country from Mexico if our borders are not closed?
Yes, it is true.
But I feel we have better ways of catching them. Hit their money trail, for example. Or check anyone who has contact with suspected Al Queda cells and form a pattern. This investigation method has the massive advantage of only affecting the civil rights of potential Al Queda members, not all tourists. It will spot Al Queda members already here - and we have reason to believe most of their network is already in place. And it also has the advantage of being much, much cheaper. So don't consider the Al Queda connection a reason to majorly inconvenience everyone who ever enters this country from another nation.

Do you realize that we are at war with Al Qaeda? At war with radical Islam? Do you realize that they will stop at nothing? Do you realize that if we haven't been able to catch 'em all after this long that opening the borders will make it that much harder? This isn't Pokemon, y'know (Y'gotta catch 'em all!). This is our very survival at stake. It's not a game. Think carefully about what you're asking for. Think very carefully.

I'm not claiming to have all the answers - I don't think draconian measures are necessary, contrary to the thoughts of some, both here and elsewhere. But Pollyana-ish dreams of opening the borders and having illegals run into our waiting arms is nothing short of suicidal, and I'm not ready to jump off the cliff yet.

Someone wrote me privately and said that we'd have to have something like the Berlin Wall, complete with gun emplacements and stony faced guards, to have any practical likelihood of closing our borders. That's a symbol that blatantly contradicts what I feel our country stands for.

If illegals don't do jobs that others would not do, they wouldn't be in the country doing them. We have something like a 5% unemployment rate in this country, which is very low, and yet we have a huge number of illegals here doing work. Therefore, we would have a severe labor shortage if they weren't here. Unless, of course, their very presence creates jobs - and if so, that kills off half your argument, no?

Concerning "everyone breaks the law", that was actually my point. I have heard arguments that say that since illegals are breaking the law by being here, they are just one step from being serial killers. That's literally what Michelle Malkin and others have said! Sorry, guys. I'm not buying that one.

If you read my posting history, you will find that I worked very hard on the protest movment we had in support of Bill Simon. My record of participation in freep events speaks for itself, as do my numerous carefully produced and edited video productions - all in support of a genuinely conservative candidate.

I know of many loyal Republicans who share my views, but they are scared to post them due to the kind of attack of intimidation I have received. Quite frankly, I think this stinks.

What should make you pause is the tone that you and B4Ranch are using in your replies. To you folks, it seems to be very personal. The problem with this is that you'll turn off anyone who isn't already an ardent supporter.

Even if I agreed with every word you've said on this thread, I would have a tough time voting for your candidate due to the attitude you're displaying. Do I want to be associated with a group that replies to civilized, reasonable dissent by all but threatening to bash my head in? By accusing me of being a DU plant?

This is similar to Proposition 187. At first, I thought it was reasonable. Then I started hearing some of the arguments people were using in its support; it was like they were delighting in the idea of stamping illegals out with jackboots. As a result, I voted against 187. Not due to anything it said, but due to the attitude of its supporters.

Bill Simon probably would have won the election if Hispanics hadn't remembered Proposition 187 and voted against Republicans in droves - even though Hispanic political beliefs are a lot closer to Republicans than Democrats!

Mindless attacks such as the ones I've been hearing may be fun, but they are not constructive. I hope you notice how hard I've worked to avoid personal attacks, since I think they are dumb, and I don't think they convince anyone other than the writer.

D

Many thanks for writing a civilized and intelligent response to my post. I appreciate it.

But I can knock down half of your argument with one comment, unfortunately. I do not believe it is possible to close our borders without taking draconian measures. People are willing to take enormous risks to get here.

I might also add that unless we do completely close off our borders, taking those draconian measures, Al Queda operatives are going to make it in. I strongly suspect that our people would not tolerate projects like building a Berlin Wall over every inch of our border. And if this is true, we will still have illegals, and the Al Queda will still get in.

So in a sense, the nice folks on this thread are perfectly right: You are With Us or Against Us. However, this kind of attitude is unacceptable in a Democracy, so they don't get much respect.

So what do we do? I will simply note that what we are doing, good old fashioned investigative work, is working. Al Queda has not been able to mount a successful major attack in this country since 9/11. The cold truth is that before 9/11, we were not listening. Now we are, and when we see evidence of an attack, we move forward.

To me, the border is an abstraction. If good people want to come here and work, I don't care if they came from Planet Mars. This is the Land of Opportunity, and I hope it will always remain that way. I don't care if they're from Mexico, Cuba, Haiti or even Canada. I welcome them, personally. Actually, I particularly admire Cubans because they're very enterprising. When I was in South Florida a couple of years ago, I saw plenty of Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans owned by Cubans. Our Mexicans, quite frankly, could learn a lot from the Cubans. And need I remind you that Cubans vote Republican?

I have to leave for work in a couple of minutes, so I will just re-iterate that Al Queda operators are going to get in unless we erect a giant wall on our borders - and I don't think there is the staff, the political willpower or even the desire among average Americans to make that happen.

I'm sorry I didn't have time to address your other comments, but I think this is the crux of the matter.

D

Hey, I of all people know what prop 187 did to California -- I've lived my whole life there. To establish my quals, let me tell you all that I am married to a beatiful Mexican woman, so I certainly am not against Mexicans at all. That being said, just take one look at the LA Unified School District and all of its problems teaching children of illegal aliens. I see our infrsatsructure bursting at the seams and my taxes going up. California passed another bond issue to deal with physcal infrastructure AFTER we in LA did Prop BB for that very same purpose.

What Davis did to the republicans can never be overstated, and his divisive race politics were the beginning of the death knoll -- it will take a generation to undo that damage.

That being said, It is not so much a question of illegals not doing jobs others won't do -- it is that they do them for much much less. A guest worker program would address this without having to have us foot the bill for welfare and schooling.

Please don't push the law-breaking argument the OTHER way -- the crime committed is also not as lightweight as jaywalking. We have immigration laws for a reason and it is patently unfair for some to bypass the process in place. My wife went through the entire process legally (and it was rather expensive) and she is a Citizien because she took the classes and learned our laws and our language.

I didn't realize that suggesting you were a DU lurker was an "personal attack." If you take what appears to be a liberal position, then it is not an unreasonable assumption that you are associated with a liberal entity. No such attack was meant, and if it was taken so, I apologize. The fact that you find it an insult is quite a point in your favor!

I appreciate your moderate position on this but something has to be done -- moderates are what keep the problem going.

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