Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<WHY do people risk their lives to come here illegaly in the first place? If we can answer that question and help to deal with the underlying problems, then I firmly believe that illegal immigration will be an issue of the past.>> We can't even solve social problems in New Orleans. I know your not suggesting we attempt to resolve social/ poverty problems in Central America.
Originally Posted By cmpaley ^^^ Actually, no. I would propose that we use our bully pulpit to push Mexico to make some investment in its infrastructure such as building safe highways, improving its railroads and the like. Mexico is full of amazing natural resources that aren't fully tapped because of a 1950's era infrastructure. Part of the reason the US is such an economic powerhouse is because of our infrastructure.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh Mexico has lousy infrastructure because it's been governed far too often by socialists. We have good infrastructure because our economic freedom generated the capital to build it.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^Why would Mexico do anything of the like as long as we are willing to be an escape valve for them?
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Isn't that a reward also?<< If we do not incarcerate future lawbreakers, then yes. The purpose of the "bribe" is to give the illegals an incentive to leave peacefully. Rounding up 10-20 million illegals and deporting them would be a logistical nightmare. The $20,000 pales when compared to how much money would be spent to put an illegal child through school (K-12). But there would have to be a most severe punishement for coming back.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^^This strategy would also require that we effectively seal the border. No more 1-2 million people sneaking across each year.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom You can't send someone back when they have a child that was born in the US.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer What should we do with all the illegal immigrants whose families have been here for a long time? My family has been on these shores since 1620, but we sure weren't invited.
Originally Posted By cmpaley >>Mexico has lousy infrastructure because it's been governed far too often by socialists. We have good infrastructure because our economic freedom generated the capital to build it.<< ACTUALLY, while there are a State run industry (Pemex), Mexico is pretty much a right-winger's dream. There is absolutely NO regulations on anything. It's laissez-faire style capitalism at its worst. Corporate rule, corruption, one party rule (for 70 years until Fox was elected) and the like reign supreme. It's pretty much everything the rabid-right stands for.
Originally Posted By Elderp I am all for letting more people come in legally as long as we make a stance to crack down on illegal immigration.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I'd argue that our infrastructure is among the best in the world because of government oversight into construction codes and direct government investment into roads and utilities.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy <<The $20,000 pales when compared to how much money would be spent to put an illegal child through school (K-12). But there would have to be a most severe punishement for coming back>> That much is true, but the plan would never fly. I do respect any new plan however where some creative thought went into it.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy <<You can't send someone back when they have a child that was born in the US>> There is legislation in progress to change this stupid rule.
Originally Posted By cmpaley >>I'd argue that our infrastructure is among the best in the world because of government oversight into construction codes and direct government investment into roads and utilities.<< I'd agree with that.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Legislation won't change squat. The "stupid rule" is part of the Constitution, but you don't seem to hold much respect for that document.
Originally Posted By cmpaley >><<You can't send someone back when they have a child that was born in the US>> There is legislation in progress to change this stupid rule.<< That's right. Leave 'em orphans. Compassionate conservative indeed.
Originally Posted By cmpaley >>Legislation won't change squat. The "stupid rule" is part of the Constitution, but you don't seem to hold much respect for that document.<< The Right HATES the Constitution. It gets in the way of their absolute and unchallenged powah!
Originally Posted By cmpaley I don't think anyone is proposing doing nothing. The question is what to do with those here now. In order to remove all the "illegal" scumbags, we would have to turn the US into a police state. That is fine and dandy with the extreme rabid-right, but it sure as hell is NOT acceptable to me or most Americans who cherish their liberty and the right to not be stopped and harassed by the police without probable cause.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>The "stupid rule" is part of the Constitution, but you don't seem to hold much respect for that document.<< FWIW, the Constitution once allowed slavery. Just because its in the constitution doesn't mean its a good rule. But yes, anchor babies are a major reason why Bush's so called "Guest Worker" program is really a Green Card program. And best of all, there are no quotas under Bush's ideal scenario. Its pure Open Borders .
