Infrequently, (like once), I've mentioned my friend Discount Dan in Las Vegas. He's a blog lurker (that's a compliment DD); however via e-mail, he's anything but quiet. For instance, here is a slightly edited version of his views on immigration:
Seems I've pushed a button regarding the immigration issue. As you know am not a big fan of the current administration. However, from one that lives in a community with a high % of illegal as well as legal immigrants, one can start to see the complexity of the issue. Let me try & clarify what I perceive from living here in Nevada.
First, yes, both legal and illegal aliens contribute either directly or indirectly to the economy. However (and a big however), the illegal ones, especially in the construction industry, are paid either in cash or as independent contractors receiving a 1099 vs. a W-2, thereby putting the responsibility of filing and paying taxes on the immigrant.
Needless to say this rarely happens and that taxable income for both the county and fed's is lost. They do however use a disproportionate share of county & federal services, i.e.: county health services, schools, family aid programs etc. Local hospital emergency rooms have become the physician of choice for these folks given that they have no healthcare programs or primary care physicians. This places an incredible burden on the facilities here resulting in patients not being admitted due to overcrowding. You can't lay the entire burden of that problem on the illegals; however they contribute significantly to the problem.
Before you start to think you've been friends with a closet bigot, I'm simply pointing out the issues that I see & hear about frequently. There are other issues as well, cultural, language barriers etc. but the above is the most visible manifestation. These are ongoing problems for most of the communities in the southwest and probably elsewhere.
Is the answer putting up a wall along the border patrolled by an armed national guard the answer? Of course not. I think that would just exacerbate the problem and probably result in some form of human tragedy not to mention a severe deterioration of our relations with Mexico.
Do I have answers? Not hardly, but I actually agree with a small portion of GW's plan. The idea of "visiting" workers with some form of documentation (putting the burden on the employer to withhold taxes, and document the employment) has some appeal. Requiring workers to have basic English language skills definitely. Some form of border control has to be put in place to stem the flood of people until a more humane approach can be formulated. Am not in favor of wholesale amnesty or deportation of millions of people. We've created this problem over a span of 25 + years, turning a blind eye to our southern borders in favor of cheap labor. We will not solve this overnight. We also have an immigration service utilizing 30 or 40
year old quotas making it extremely difficult for those industrious souls trying to immigrate legally (such as our relatives did generations ago).
I firmly believe it cannot continue to be business as usual. Not all immigrants are our friends, not all are industrious or law abiding. We should not become a welfare state for Mexico's poverty stricken population. I know that sounds somewhat cold, but we do a poor job of taking care of our own population below the poverty line much less taking on another country's.
3 comments:
He sounds very sensible about it.
Might I add that the politicans are stuck between a rock and a hard place here (although, really, if they had more b@lls about ...). They're pandering for votes, afraid of the unions and ACLU, and don't want to upset big business. The PEOPLE (U.S. citizens) are the last to be heard.
I doubt requiring a national ID card would help much, though. Those could be forged.
And no one's talking about the national birthright issue: the minute an illegal sneaks over to give birth, that child is immediately given U.S. citizenship. And people should not kid themselves: the financial drain on certain services is creating HAVOC. For example, several hospitals having to close, especially in the Bakersfield area.
And Vicente Fox is being blatantly hypocritical about it. Mexico has tight regulations on THEIR borders and a very low tolerance for illegal immigration themselves! However, we do a lot of trading with Mexico, so the CA governor at least is trying to keep relations as friendly as possible.
It's a sticky situation no matter how you slice it.
Ms Houdini: (aka applecat or flashtang or .....)
The post on your blog was equally fair to both sides. It is a complex problem and unfortunately, the people in charge of developing a solution are busy measuring campaign $$$ instead of trying to improve the human conditions they were elected to improve. It calls for a carefully crafted plan that will end up hurting a small group of very good people, while being fair to a much larger group of some good and not-so-good people. It's not perfect but it would be a start. Even better would be legislation that stops this problem in its tracks like Canada and Mexico seem to capable of crafting.
Unfortunately, now we get to see what the special interest consultants can write for Congress since we have failed to elect our "best and brightest."
How's that for cynical?
Whoops. D@mn cookies. ;) I meant to use "tangyapple" but it also starts with a T.
Anyway, it sounds like the Senate is passing a bill. I guess we'll have to wait for the House. Complex problem for sure. We're in a capitalist nation, which is always looking for ways to increase the profit margin. However, a globalized economy means others are eventually going to be looking for the same thing to one degree or another. It'll be *interesting* (if not uncomfortable) to see how it all pans out over the next several years.
Post a Comment