Posted on 04/20/2006 7:16:53 PM PDT by Coleus
National Catholic Register (www.ncregister.com/)
The giant immigration marches in April were almost surreal. The attitude of the protest organizers often made them seem inauthentic – but the critics didn’t seem to have their facts straight, either.
First, consider the protesters.
Groups, like A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism), swelled the ranks of marchers in major cities. But, like other activist organizations at the marches, A.N.S.W.E.R. isn’t an immigration group. It’s a communist group that actually opposes Cuban immigrants. But they were there in force – as they are at pro-abortion marches, anti-war marches and anti-globalism marches – selling Che Guevera T-shirts and building their mailing lists.
Signs that said “Bush Step Down” and “Bush is the real terrorist” were common at the rallies. But that doesn’t seem wise. Did the marchers not know that Bush is the one who first proposed the national “guest worker” program for illegal immigrants that they were marching for? Did they remember how his decision to do so imperiled his re-election by angering his conservative supporters?
If the march organizers really put immigration policy as their highest priority, you would think they would court the sympathetic president as a key ally – not antagonize and alienate him. That they didn’t do so raises sharp questions about their credibility and their true agenda. But the critics of the march were just as bad.
Talk radio chattered endlessly about the drain heavy immigration put on America’s resources, but without much understanding of what is at stake. Conservatives were furious at a Republican-supported bill that they say “caved” by agreeing to make illegal immigration a misdemeanor rather than a felony.But they didn’t seem to realize that illegal immigration has always been a misdemeanor – and that to make it a felony would increase the drain on America’s resources 100-fold.
If illegal immigration remains a misdemeanor, then cases can be dealt with efficiently and quickly. If security is your fear, this would be the solution. If talk radio show hosts had their way and it became a felony, then each accused illegal case would be entitled as a felon to a jury trial and a court-appointed lawyer and subject to a much longer process. It was also instructive to listen to the attempts radio shows made to play “Gotcha” with the protesters. Reporters who interviewed actual protesters found surprising stories that didn’t quite support the “immigrant threat” storyline.One Mexican immigrant told Sean Hannity’s program that he had been in the country illegally for 12 years, working hard, paying taxes and raising a family. Another reporter met a doctor who was waiting on tables and learning English. Another was a dishwasher with a master’s degree.
These stories of hard-working immigrants suggest that immigration is a net gain, not a drain, for America. The assumption seems to be that immigrants will come to America, stay on the low end of the economic spectrum, then call over for the sick and weak of their families and put them on welfare. Certainly, plenty will do exactly that. But by and large, today’s immigrants seem to be following in the footsteps of immigrants before them – they are people bold and imaginative enough to leave the comfort of their homelands to stake their futures on their ability to work hard enough to build a better life elsewhere.This entrepreneurial immigrant spirit is precisely what we call “the American spirit.”
As for draining America’s resources: Americans should be more fearful of a future without heavy immigration than one with it. Over the last several decades, American family sizes have decreased nearly as much as European family sizes. Without immigrants, the United States would be below replacement-level population growth. We would be losing more Americans each year than we gain. The crisis that threatens Social Security’s future would be upon us today. Without immigrants, we wouldn’t have enough workers paying into the system to support retirees. If you draw Social Security income, you should thank an immigrant.So, what’s the answer?
We like the Knights of Columbus’ resolution, which can be found on their Web site, www.KofC.org . It calls for Congress to gain control over the process of immigration in a way that will encourage, not discourage, immigration.
It is, at last, a position Catholics can applaud."No, if they own property, they are paying property taxes."
But the mexican property owner gets his money's worth with a baby every year, illegal relatives from mexicio with their babies ea. year. It is easy a house with 50-100 persons sleeping in shifts in the same beds. Used as a "holding" place for arrivals of dope, smugglers, illegals.
Do you think they paint, repair, buy curtains, mow the lawn, or get rid of the old cars in the yard, or the old washing machines, etc??? Nope, when the men get money, they run to the Casinos and put it down on the gambling tables faster than you can" wink an eye".
Do you think they pay child support, medical bills?? Nope, Welfare, Emergency Room medical care loaded down. Schools loaded with Chicano, rscist behavior, streets of lo riders playing wierd loud music all times of night, shooting people.
You get the picture. Too familiar for most americans.! It isn't that they don't have the money, it is not macho to give money to your wife and children. It's everyone for themselves.
They are still paying PROPERTY TAXES! if they own property.
I'm sorry you feel that way, this is just one of many issues. the k of c does much more with pro life, helping handicapped children, fostering and supporting vocations, service to the church, community and individuals. Service to youth.
Good question!!
I was a member for a year, it wasnt what I cared for, what finally did it for me in terms of leaving them was their magazine heaping big loads of praise on Vatican II. This further confirms my view of the K of C, they may be helpful in many of the areas you mentioned, but their stand on this issue will make sure I not only will not re join the K of C, but they join the list of Catholic Charities to so called charitable oranizations I refuse to give a red cent to.
Service? That can be done as part of a parish function, I do not care for an organization that adovocates such nonsense that will turn the US into a 3rd world Social Democracy. Immigration is an issue that for me, there is NO COMPROMISE.
You'd have to change child labor laws too.....that's PART of the problem!
The zombies at angelqueen will be high-fiving you well into the night.....
"The Church has on a consistent basis upheld the dignity of the State and National identity."
Please post a link. I am a practicing Catholic and I see Church leaders mostly denigrating my Country.
The unwillingness to even consider a guest worker program is all about fear, and nothing but fear.
It's just part of the human condition to fear "them."
To all people that now want to bash the Knights because of one position lets look whatelese they are doing. From the Homepage
Knights Pledge Solidarity to Pope Benedict XVI
Knights Pledge Solidarity to Pope Benedict XVI
April 19 marks the first anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. To commemorate this event, the Board of Directors of the Knights of Columbus adopted a resolution in public praise and support of the Pope.
Knights of Columbus Salutes 500th Anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica
When St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome celebrates its 500th anniversary on April 18, 2006, it will look its best for the celebration thanks, in significant part, to a series of refurbishments made possible by support from the Knights of Columbus.
Knights Work with Bishops to Defend Marriage
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Knights are joining forces in a campaign to encourage U.S. Catholics to write their senators urging a vote in favor of the Marriage Protection Amendment. The Order is printing 10 million post cards urging senators to support the amendment. Grand knights and pastors can order additional post cards by filling out and faxing this order form. Shipping is free.
Supreme Knight Praises South Dakota Legislature
In approving the Women’s Health and Human Life Protection Act, the South Dakota legislature “has done the entire nation a tremendous service,” Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said Feb. 27
As of Dec. 31, Knights and others have added over $4.2 million to the Order's Gulf states disaster relief effort. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council has donated $2.5 million to aid hurricane victims in Gulf Coast states, and encourages donations to the Order's disaster relief effort as well. The Supreme Council also matched all donations received by the Order before Nov. 1, 2005.
How to donate online or by check
State, local councils act
Knights in for long haul
Contribution by Order Aids Catholic Schools in Alabama
A $100,000 contribution to the Archdiocese of Mobile (Ala.) received from the Knights of Columbus Gulf States Disaster Relief Fund will be applied toward the material and financial restoration of the Catholic schools most seriously impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita
"The unwillingness to even consider a guest worker program is all about fear, and nothing but fear."
We've had a legal guest worker program for many years. I know several people with green cards who are taking advantage of it. What are you talking about?
True. I guess I am getting pretty tired of how many of these illegals are en mass viewed as some evil. When masses of people are described in such blanket terms I know that no rational debate is forthcoming.
I wonder if the Catholic Church would be so supportive of illegal immigrants if they were 98% Lutheran?
From the Catechism. By the way the Popes have written many documents on this issue as well.
1898 Every human community needs an authority to govern it.16 The foundation of such authority lies in human nature. It is necessary for the unity of the state. Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society.
1899 The authority required by the moral order derives from God: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."17
1900 The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.
Pope St. Clement of Rome provides the Church's most ancient prayer for political authorities:18 "Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, so that they may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you have given them. Master, heavenly King of the ages, you give glory, honor, and power over the things of earth to the sons of men. Direct, Lord, their counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness the power that you have given to them, they may find favor with you."19
1901 If authority belongs to the order established by God, "the choice of the political regime and the appointment of rulers are left to the free decision of the citizens."20 The diversity of political regimes is morally acceptable, provided they serve the legitimate good of the communities that adopt them. Regimes whose nature is contrary to the natural law, to the public order, and to the fundamental rights of persons cannot achieve the common good of the nations on which they have been imposed.
On jJust and unjust law
1902 Authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. It must not behave in a despotic manner, but must act for the common good as a "moral force based on freedom and a sense of responsibility":21
A human law has the character of law to the extent that it accords with right reason, and thus derives from the eternal law. Insofar as it falls short of right reason it is said to be an unjust law, and thus has not so much the nature of law as of a kind of violence.22
On the common good
1912 The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around."30 This order is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love.
Now to issues dealing with immigration the Catechism says
2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.
Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants' duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.
2242 The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel. Refusing obedience to civil authorities, when their demands are contrary to those of an upright conscience, finds its justification in the distinction between serving God and serving the political community. "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."48 "We must obey God rather than men":49
When citizens are under the oppression of a public authority which oversteps its competence, they should still not refuse to give or to do what is objectively demanded of them by the common good; but it is legitimate for them to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens against the abuse of this authority within the limits of the natural law and the Law of the Gospel.50
So the answer is since we have aborted this generation of American (40 million+ since 1973), we now need the lowest level of Mexican to come and replace those lost. The wealthy and educated Mexican stays in the upper strata in Mexico while we take the lowest level "hard worker" and the undesirables from Vincente Fox. Is that the understanding of the writer?
What I want is for abortion to be left to the state legal system and get the "American" replacement population back up.
Believe or not most people that came to this Country were that "lowest level". Not many millionaries and Princes immigrated here.
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