This article suggests using military service as a means for obtaining citizenship.  This is certainly an idea worthy of consideration.  But, to those people who say that forcing people to become “cannon fodder” to become citizens is immoral, I would respond, “is it really?  Is it too much to ask someone to serve in the greatest military in the world - in order to become a citizen in the greatest country in the world?”

I am not saying that I support this one way or another.  It is just an interesting idea that is worthy of consideration.

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Realizing that amnesty was not the answer… the Bush Administration appears to be preparing a new package to combat illegal immigration:

This program appears to be a step in the right direction.  Some of the highlights are…

• The proposals would raise civil fines on employers who hire undocumented immigrants by as much as 25 percent and
• overhaul temporary worker programs, according to a summary of the plans obtained by The Associated Press.

• The administration also wants to expand the list of international gangs whose members are automatically denied admission to the U.S., reduce processing times for immigrant background checks, and
• install by the end of the year an exit system so the departure of foreigners from the country can be recorded at airports and seaports.

• In addition, employers will face possible criminal sanctions if they don’t fire employees unable to clear up problems with their Social Security numbers.

While it is a “step” in the right direction, is it a monumental step?  I don’t think so… okay, risking a 25% increased fine to hire an undocumented worker may be worth the gamble - given the amount that an employer would save in lower wages.
And, frankly, employers should be facing criminal charges, today, for not clearing up Social Security problems.

A step in the right direction… not a huge step… but, nonetheless… a step.

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Yet another setback for a President who is now the longest serving lame duck President in American history. The vote was 45-50 against limiting debate on the Immigration Reform Bill, 15 short of the 60 that the bill’s supporters needed to prevail.

Kudos to both of our Senators for the courage that they exerted in blocking this bill. This is, yet, another indication of the weakness of the President. He is no longer a factor in promoting any kind of legislative agenda. He is also a clear example of what happens to a President who completely turns his back on the base that got him elected.

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Senator Alexander’s amendment to keep other key provisions from being implemented until 3 of 4 border Governors verify that the border is secure does very little to abate my concerns that we are legalizing 11-12 million people who are engaging in criminal activity by being illegal immigrants in this country. Why can’t more Congress men and women see this?

And, why is there no horrific outcry from those in this country who have gone through the process of immigrating LEGALLY?

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Lou Dobbs has some great thoughts on yesterday’s activities…

I couldn’t help but wonder as I watched monitors bringing images of the marches and demonstrations from all across the country, who should really be protesting on May Day. What about the millions of legal residents who followed the long, drawn-out process to secure a visa to enter the United States lawfully? Maybe they should be protesting. What about the seven-figure backlog at the Citizenship and Immigration Services agency of people who are following the rules. Should they demonstrate?

What about all of our fellow Americans who are being marginalized by the massive importation of illegal, low-cost and mostly uneducated labor into this country? Perhaps those citizens should take to the streets. And what about the more than 250 million Americans who make up our middle class and those who aspire to it whose wages have stagnated and who are paying for the social, medical and economic costs of illegal immigration? That’s a big march.

If yesterday’s demonstrators and their supporters in Congress and corporate America are serious about their deep desire for American citizenship, why don’t we hear any of them clearly say they’re willing to give up dual citizenship? Or that they’re willing to learn English and surrender demands of bilingual education? Or declare they embrace English as our official national language? Or demand that illegal employers of illegal aliens pay for the social, educational and medical costs now borne by the taxpayers?

Lou is right.  Yesterday’s activities should make you IRATE as a law abiding American.

Look, don’t listen to people that say that “anyone who opposes this is a racist or is opposed to immigration”.  BS.  That is just the way they are framing this debate.  Immigrants built this country.  LEGAL immigrants built this country.  Unless you are a descendant of an American Indian, you, too, are the product of immigration.  We all are.
These masses who took to the streets yesterday are not concerned with surrendering the demands of a bilingual education and adopting English as their official language.  They are not concerned with ensuring that they are paying their fair share of taxes - or ensuring that the law-breaking employers who hire them are paying taxes on them, as employees.  I should expect nothing more, I suppose, from these individuals who refused to embark upon the process of securing an American visa to enter this country… and, rather, decided to illegally pursue a course that essentially makes them convicts on the run.

And, it is shameful that our elected officials are pandering to this group of individuals openly promoting law-breaking activities.  I was in Chicago during yesterday’s immigrant March.  Mayor Daley and Congressman spoke to a rally for these individuals.  It is wrong!  Wrong!  Wrong!  And, frankly, if you - as a law-abiding American - cannot see that these individuals are in open and flagrant violation of the law, then, well, you need to re-think your concept of why we even have laws in this country.

It is shameful that our elected officials are refusing to take a stand.  And, that stand starts with the failure of President Bush to properly and openly lead this nation on this issue.  Legal immigration makes this country stronger.  Illegal immigration will break the back of this great nation.  It is happening already.

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