This bill died as it should have. But there is no closure of the border and will be none as the Democrats will be in charge next year and will increase their lead in the Senate and House so I expect the border to be eliminated in 2009.
This was just the first step today. The very same power of the outraged citizenry that stopped this bill must now turn to winning the election and effecting a strong reversal in current policy. The American economy shouldn't need to rely on illegality. Nobody should enter the country who is not willing to abide by our laws and traditions and who has no desire to become an American citizen. Businesses must be weaned from using this type of labor or face SEVERE penalties. If they can't pay Americans sufficient wages, the stern disciplines of the market apply to them also. On the other hand, it's high time that more changes are needed in our welfare system to encourage able-bodied, especially young, Americans to do this type of work. There's nothing wrong with starting at the bottom and it's time to encourage hard work and upward mobility for Americans.
In short, it's now time for COMPREHENSIVE change and the battle has just begun. But today was an encouraging evidence that the people's voice can still be heard.