Ants.

Self | January 14, 2003 | Luis Gonzalez

[Cyber Liberty]

That's our problem, we leave sugar out for the ants, and then we act surprised, and outraged, when they show up to do what ants do.

Ping to the quoted line for possible QOTD....

[Cool Guy]

Any individual caught in the U.S. illegally should be deported, and not allowed to return to this country, for any reason, for life. But I also think that if we find someone who has been here illegally for fifteen years, working, not breaking laws, setting roots, and otherwise being a model member of the community, we need to give them special consideration, and try thinking out of the box for a kinder solution.

Does not make sense at all. How is 15 years a magic number? What is the reasoning behind the above 2 statements.

I do agree that we need to cut off the sugar. Even if we cut off the sugar, the problem with letting people in is, we will have to make it inconvinient for the legal folks in their everyday life by introducing somethign in the lines of national ID to find out who gets the sugar.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Any individual caught in the U.S. illegally should be deported, and not allowed to return to this country, for any reason, for life. But I also think that if we find someone who has been here illegally for fifteen years, working, not breaking laws, setting roots, and otherwise being a model member of the community, we need to give them special consideration, and try thinking out of the box for a kinder solution.

And what happens to the ones who aren't caught? If they work hard, don't break the law, and are model members of the community, in fifteen years from now they would also want people thinking out of the box for a kinder solution and special consideration. :-)

[Luis Gonzalez]

And what would you do with the ones that aren't caught?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Breaking the law should not be rewarded."

Never said that. But there are many levels of penalties that can be set when one is found guilty of breaking the law. Deportation is just one.

[tubebender]

I think we should offer incentives to American manufacturing firms looking to set up shop overseas, to build in Mexico, and not China.

I agree with you on this. We need to give Mexicans a reason to stay south of the border.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"The tunnels were found Saturday by Mexican agents patrolling near the border city of Nogales."

Nice to see Mexican authorities taking care of their side of the issue.

[Luis Gonzalez]

In other words, maintain the status quo that makes crossing the border illegally so tempting?

One more reason why I say that we don't have the resolve to do what's needed.

[Victoria Delsoul]

And what would you do with the ones that aren't caught?

Hard to do anything if they aren't caught. But, if they are caught….here is something I agree with:

"Any individual caught in the U.S. illegally should be deported, and not allowed to return to this country, for any reason, for life."

[Luis Gonzalez]

So, you then agreed with the deportation of that student who even Tancredo supported in his attempt to stay?

[LO_IQ]

…Offer incentives to American manufacturing firms looking to set up shop overseas, to build in Mexico, and not China. […]

We should also bring back the Bracero program, it's a win-win.

I definitely like these ideas.

I would add that in exchange for the guest-worker program and incentives for American corporations to relocate to Mexico and not China, Mexico law enforcement agents will patrol the Mexican border to prevent illegal immigration into the US.

If you have been to Mexico, Luis, you know that all those single guys with a one-way ticket to Reynosa or Tijuana are not local tourists. The Mexican federales can be our best ally to seal our porous border if they are given incentives. Boarding buses and checking national flights can stop most of the illegal immigration into the US if properly done by Mexican law enforcement agents.

I would propose that a minute percentage of the guest workers’ paycheck should go to pay the salaries of the Mexican federal agents. This tax will be collected by the Mexican authorities when the Mexican workers send back their remesas to their families.

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL, did you read my tagline?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I would propose that a minute percentage of the guest workers’ paycheck should go to pay the salaries of the Mexican federal agents."

Collect that instead of Social Security.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I almost didn't reply to anyone for two reasons:

• Wanted to see if little by little, every idea would have been knocked down, and

• Just got a 65" digital TV, and there's a Tracy/Hepburn movie on.

[Luis Gonzalez]

What say you my friend?

[dixie sass]

Good article, Luis. I do believe that there are already numerous American firms located south of the border. The reason that they move there is "cheap" labor and no unions to contend with. Several texile plants in South Carolina have moved to Mexico and other Latin American countries. The reasoning has always been lower overheard costs!

Deportation is an excellent idea. I do believe that when illegals are found they are given an hearing and then deportation already. They just go back home and wait a week or two and come right back though. How do we control that issue?

I depised Ants, yech!!!! All bugs, gack!!! Shudder!!! It is a good anology though!

Love the Bananna Republic logo!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Just got a 65" digital TV.

Wow! Congratulations.

I agree with your article, btw. Just pulling your leg a little.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"How do we control that issue?"

Again, by eliminating the reasons why they come here to begin with.

Given a choice, most people would rather not leave the country where they were born, and become a stranger in a strange land. Given the opportunity to live and take care of their families in Mexico, I firmly believe that most Mexicans would opt to stay home.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"How is 15 years a magic number?"

It's my number, yours may be 20...or 0.

[Trajan88]

Anyone see that show on VH1 ("Behind the Music" ?) featuring Ozzy that told of the incident where he snorted a line of live ants?

Bet that left a mark!

Trajan88