Friday, May 7, 2010

Arizona - A Real Problem But What's the Solution?

The state of Arizona has been all over the media lately for the implementation of a law that aims to identify, prosecute, and deport illegal immigrants.  The problem with the law is that it requires anyone and everyone to carry immigration papers on their persons in case an officer of the law asks to see them.  In a nutshell, it's racial profiling and Hispanics are the targets.  

I am a firm believer in the fact that the United States of America has a serious illegal immigration problem.  I also believe that something needs to be done to remedy the situation.  Digging ditches and building walls is only a band-aid fix.  Walls can be scaled or tunneled under and ditches can be crossed.  The other day, I was having a conversation with my boss, a stout Republican who leans pretty far right, about the situation in Arizona.  He was all for it which I was slightly surprised about but then again not really.  I agreed with him that illegal immigration is a problem and denies legal citizens jobs but made the point that the law is basically racial profiling and that I think that isn't right.  He asked, "Ok, then what's the solution?"  I had no answer.

So, for everyone who gets on their soapbox and bellows about this Arizona immigration law and the injustice it has caused, I have one question...  What's the solution?

5 comments:

Rick said...

The solution is enforce the laws with sufficient personnel. It means hiring more people to patrol the borders. It means giving them more tools to make apprehensions. All of this costs money and ironically, most of the people who are yelling the loudest about the government doing more to stop illegal immigration don't want to spend one more lousy dime on bigger government. Figure that.

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nonee moose said...

Agree with Rick. But I also think white folks have to be more willing to pick lettuce for three-cents a head. Unless you're ok paying $9 for your Whopper Jr.

Of course, I keeed.

Tough question. No good answers.

Anonymous said...

I am one of "those" people who feel that unhindered immigration is good for our country and economy. However I wish that I had said what "nonee moose" said above. Witty yet so true. I think you gave a GREAT answer to a tough question nonee.

SteveBM said...

Did you know that entering Mexico illegally is a FELONY? A little ironic, dont you think?

I'm all for people escaping poor living conditions and coming to the USA, as long as they do it the right way. And yes, there does need to be a set of people willing to do the work at the price an illegal will do it for. I think those people exist.

Anonymous said...

SteveBM -
This may sound cold, but I think anyone who would enter Mexico illegally SHOULD be hit with felony charge!

Because the Government of Mexico and its prison and jail and legal systems are so corrupt, entering the USA legally is very difficult.

And as far as there being a group (nationality/race) of people willing to work hard and long hours in substandard working conditions for salaries far below minimum wage - sadly they would be but another nationality of illegal immigrants. The issue is that white people are never going to be more willing to pick lettuce at 3 cents a head.

60 years ago virtually 100% of American Clothing was made domestically. Today 3% is made domestically (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=149065) Retails would more than double on domestically made clothing. But unlike the Mexican day laborer, we do not see the young Indian and Chinese workers who often work long hours in poor conditions. So we don't think about it. If we didn't turn our backs on illegal immigration (and we do) prices for virtually everything we purchase would see dramatically steep price increases.