Solution...
1. Scrutinize, optimize, and minimize welfare programs, ensuring only the honestly needy are taken care of.
...it's way too easy to defraud the system, and the standards are too low anyway.
2. Wake up to the reality that Americans will not be in favor of living in a walled in country.
...We are a free people, and we like it that way. Besides, I can see the headlines now...President Chirac: "Mr. President, TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!"
3. Apply equal and fair treatment to the Mexicans as we do to the Canadians. Especially in terms of jobs and joint economic programs.
...In other words, give them their respect. The canucks have had a free ride for way too long, and imho, it's undeserved. Why do we close down US plants to build in Mexico, and yet, we give the Canadians (Quebec) money to keep our plants up there open?
NAFTA may not be THE answer, but it is a part of the overall "equalization" of economies. Now, this may not sit well with some who are used to denigrating and looking down upon the Mexicans, but we do need a somewhat balanced economic infrastructure in N.America. Ever heard of the EU? China? The reality is, they are our competitors now, and they are gaining ground on us...fast. We, very well, could become economically isolated. I see those signs already. We need to give the Mexicans a big hug, metaphorically speaking, but under our terms. :) And that's the challenge that, I think, Bush is trying to deal with.
4. Enforcing the existing laws is useless, as they were written a million years ago for a vastly different world. We need to scrap the immigration act and begin anew.
fwiw, I have an idea. First, someone needs to figure out how many people our Country can hold with the current infrastructure, and then set a yearly entry limit. Now, let's suppose we look at the US as a brand, if you will, 'cause we do have a tremendous "brand recognition" factor. Then we look at immigration as a commodity. Now, taking these factors into consideration, it only makes sense to create laws that treat being in this country as a valuable experience, right? Then why do we give that away without any investment? I think those wanting to live here, either permanently or temporarily, should "invest" of themselves. They should be required to learn our basic laws, traditions, customs, and know exactly what's expected of them while they are here. And be accountable to this. There, also, should be a waiting period, to allow for proper vetting of applicants. So, what we do is, setup "America" schools in our Embassies, using US Marines as instructors, under the supervision of the Ambassador staff, for a period of one or two years. This gives us time to decide and vet their entry, and them to decide if they really, really want to live here under our terms.
I know it sounds nutty, but we ARE filling up here, and not with the best (as in decent) people the world has to offer.
Now, the Dum’s will never go for this because, as we all know, the more educated and decent people we have in this country, the more Repub’s we’ll also have.
OK, now flame…
:O)
P
2. ...Americans will not be in favor of living in a walled in country...President Chirac: "Mr. President, TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!"
I, nor anyone AFAIK, is proposing America: The Prison. I favor walls where necessary with gates or checkpoints where all of legal status, permanent or temporary, enter and exit as they please. Our southern border warants increased security. Would the wall need to be continuous from the Gulf to the Pacific? Probably not. Israel's wall is not yet complete and is bearing positive results.
3. I'll respect the Lations when they respect our laws, not just laws of entry but all manner of other laws and safety and other regulations. --- China - yes, an economic competitor. The EU? Not hardly, they may get their collective acts together some day but it won't be soon. --- We need to give the Mexicans a big hug, metaphorically speaking, but under our terms. :) Huh? What terms? We already have "our terms" (legal immigration) & Mexico could care less.
4. Capitulation, pure & simple.
5. The 'solution' you describe is almost exactly the current system we have now for legal enrty and assimilation.
I simply don't think the American public is as uncaring or even as unaware as you seem to think on these issues. Nor do I think what would in reality be a total surrender will be the choice picked by an honorable American public.
Let the Mexican government raise the minimum wage to Canada's level --- and provide Socialized medicine to it's people the way Canada does --- which keeps Canadians from flooding over the border to gain access to our free health care.