There’s an old aphorism that “one of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.”
In 1965, we had an illegal alien crisis. About 200,000 of them were entering the United States every year. The advocates of “reforming” insisted that a critical element of fixing the problem was an amnesty program. Their proposal passed.
In 1986, we had an illegal alien crisis. There were about 6,000,000 of them in the United States. The advocates of “reforming” insisted that a critical element of fixing the problem was an amnesty program. Their proposal passed.
Today, we have an illegal alien crisis. There are between 12,000,000 and 15,000,000 of them in the United States (at best estimate). The advocates of “reforming” insist that a critical element of fixing the problem is an amnesty program.
I made that point about a month ago, but I tend to be lazy. John Derbyshire over at National Review brings up a similar point, but actually went back and found the predictions, the promises of the reform programs backers (most notably Senator Edward Moore Kennedy (D-Chivas), when he was somewhat less pickled and bloated), and points out that every single one of his assurances turned out to be, in polite terms, somewhat inaccurate. In more honest language, a typical Ted Kennedy crock of shit.
Once in our nation’s history, we took the illegal alien problem seriously. I don’t think it’s quite time for such radical measures, but every time I see another mass protest like we had Monday, I start feeling nostalgic for President Eisenhower and General Joseph May Swing.
“Operation Wetback” I love it. Love it.
At least in those days, politicians didn’t mince words.
What I’d give to see an “Operation Moonbat” put in place today.
I thought that was the definition of computer users.
Hmmm.
Frankly the problem isn’t illegal aliens per se but the vastly uncontrolled nature of the borders. It’s completely ridiculous that we’re in the midst of a GWOT and yet we’ve got such porous borders that terrorists are crossing over with the help of criminal gangs.
The primary problem with illegal aliens is the absolute mass of them. When illegals amount to a small percentage then they can be accomodated to some point. Not a great solution but something of a solution.
But with the huge mass of illegal aliens now in this country, estimated from 10 million to as many as 30 million, there is the distinct possbility that they will effectively destabilize the political and social structure of the country as a whole, or destabilize geographic regions by virtue of their aggregate mass.
If you’ve got 10-30 million illegal aliens that are given amnesty then you’ve also go, through “chaining”, an additional 40-70 million relatives, spouses and children that will enter into the country either legally or otherwise as they will have a relative that has an “anchor” status of legal residency.
So instead of 10-30 million problem you’ve really got a 50-100 million problem.
Considering that only about 120 million people voted in the highly contentious 2004 Presidential election I’d suggest adding 10-30 million new voters in one swift shot is probably a very bad idea. Particularly since most of them come from highly socialist, if not communist, countries that have a different political philosophy from America.
Amnesty or not, it’s simply impossible to assimilate tens of millions of illegal aliens and further issues and crisises will abound.
Hmmmm.
No. Just “Windows” computer users. 🙂
Here’s a thought (tongue in cheek – maybe):
Let Mexico apply for statehood.
Suddenly, there is no illegal immigrant problem. No fence to build. The corrupt Mexican government goes away, all our laws become applicable there, U.S. businesses flood south, the kids start getting a public education in English, and our new (and much smaller) southern border is heavily fortified.
What? You say they don’t want that? But I thought that’s why they were coming here…
“Once in our nation’s history, we took the illegal alien problem seriously.”
I was sure this was a reference to the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Or — more likely — becomes the state government of South New Mexico.