AGAIN WITH AMNESTY?

Imagine, at a time when the country faces 10 percent unemployment and bankrupt states from coast to coast, someone has the bright idea to start the amnesty conversation again. Really!
I kid you not!

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez of Illinois, plans to reintroduce the Immigration Reform Act this Tuesday even though this Congress cant even get through the Healthcare, Finance Reform and Omnibus Pork Spending before the holiday recess. Is this guy delusional?

The goal here? Issue a blanket amnesty gesture to 20-30 million illegal immigrants and welcome them from the shadows. Anyone paying attention knows the immigration reform legislation comes with a cost. Where’s the money coming from? No-one said there was concern for our taxpayers when they keep pushing for this open door policy. Wouldn't the issue of the US economy get in the way of their goal? Of course.

Let me remind you of the expenditures we've seen outta Congress: The $700 billion financial bank bailout, $787 billion stimulus, $1 trillion health care expansion, $200 billion doctor fix, $800 billion cap and trade and a $250 billion omnibus spending bill. Not to mention the two Bush wars we are still cleaning up. Could someone remind him that this is the worst recession in 25 years and Amnesty is expected to add an additional burden to American families? Good grief!


Gutierrez was quoted in the NY Times: "This bill is the answer to many years of pain, mothers separated from their children, workers exploited and undermined security at the border, all caused at the hands of a broken immigration system. This bill says 'enough,' and presents a solution to our broken system that we as a nation of immigrants can be proud of.”

I would have to agree that such a bill would be an answer to those who like reward for breaking Federal Laws, utilizing our taxpayer funded services and sending their paychecks out of country each week.

We are a country of immigrants. Something to be proud of. America is the beacon of prosperity to millions of people every year. Most endure the arduous and costly task of the legal immigration process. Some go the "not-so-legal" route. Why would someone chose the later?

Perhaps you have a criminal record, or you have a chronic illness, or you have been recruited to smuggle contraband for an undesirable cartel. Maybe to join a family member who is already here but cant afford the process. Either way, that's what the laws are made for. If you intend to be a drain on an already starving system with no intention of contributing to that system, then the taxpayers who are here should have the right to say NO.

I know people who have gone through the legal process, they are proud people. They are also upset that Congress would attempt to reward others who cut in line instead of going the same route as they. There are countries in that bastion of liberal old Europe that, even the most liberal of which have immigration policies that make the US policies look non existent. You don't want to get caught without documentation in France.

So what would happen if we experienced true enforcement of immigration laws today?

Since Industrial Agriculture provides a large majority of the food for the world and they employ a number of illegal immigrants, let’s think about what would happen in this one sector:

• Big Ag would lose its stake-holdings in American agriculture, leading to an increase in the need and development of local farms. (oh no!)
• The surge in local farming would decrease the methane, carbon dioxide and the rest of the pollutants that comes from transporting food thousands of miles away or herding millions of pigs into tiny spaces. (wouldn't want that)

The arguments against:

• Food production would decrease.
• The cost of food would increase slightly.
• Dependent people wouldn’t have access or be able to afford food.
• Starvation and undernourishment would affect thousands more than the millions of people already suffering from lack of adequate food.
• The U.S. economy would go into the tank.

So, stop illegal immigrants, give Americans more jobs, reduce emissions and increase local farming? Or grant them amnesty and a chance to improve their lives, continue to feed Big Ag and risk the earth’s sustainability?

Is there a right choice? Hmmm

And this issue of splitting up families... Where is it stated that you have to leave people behind when you are ordered to go home? Mom & Dad can still take Junior home with them to Italy, Columbia or Sweden. You don't have to split the family up. That argument doesn't hold water. I'm sure there are a number of lawyers who would offer services to help with emigration papers.

So please, Rep. Gutierrez, reconsider the timing of this bill. The fiscal crisis of 2009/2010 is no time to be opening the door to an additional 30 million mouths to feed.