Posted by Dinah on April 17, 2006, at 9:12:58
In reply to The illegals will get their free ride, posted by Bobby on April 16, 2006, at 20:51:51
To answer more seriously, as is my wont, there's another situation that troubles me greatly. I understand the desire to protect the borders, realize that the vast majority of people entering the country are decent hard working folks, but that people understandably get particularly angry when crimes are committed by people who are not here legally; have enormous sympathy for those doing what they can to find a better life for themselves and their families (although get a little worried at what is defined as "better" and whether it depends on a material definition); and am dismayed at the realization of how many people are denied the protections of legal residents when it comes to the workplace, and more horrified when I hear that as a justification to allow illegal immigration to continue. I guess I have no problem with the idea that people from other countries might wish to do jobs that American citizens don't want to do, but a heck of a lot of problem with the idea that people from other countries might wish to do jobs that Americans don't want to do because the conditions are very poor or the pay is very low.
It's a conundrum. I hesitate to say this on this board, but I wonder if Bush's plan isn't close to a good compromise. Making immigration easier but enforcing whatever rules we end up with more strictly so that we know who's here. I'm not sure he coupled it with cracking down enormously hard on substandard working conditions and pay, but I would. Enormously hard. And of course to continue to do what we can to strengthen the economy of poorer countries, keeping in mind and trying to minimize the unintended consequences of some of the plans on American citizens who lose their jobs to outsourcing.
I realize it's a difficult situation and my proposed solution may be simplistic and may overlook factors I haven't thought of.
I also realize that it's far more serious than you probably intended. Sorry about that.
poster:Dinah
thread:633975
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060417/msgs/634093.html