On Immigration: Let's Reform Ourselves
As far as I can see, there are two major reasons why Americans would like to see better controls on immigration:
1. The potential threat of terrorists entering
2. The cost factor
POINT NUMBER ONE: Regarding terrorism, it's a valid concern. We don't want terrorists entering the US via Canada, Mexico, or even Yale. It's tricky because as we all know, most terrorists in the world do not come from Latin America, Canada, or Yale.
However, we do know where most terrorists do come from. I'm convinced that the best defense is to be most dilligent of the people that FIT THE PROFILE. This means men, 18-45. And this also usually means Middle Eastern. If there's monitoring to be done, 90% of it should be done on those that fit the profile. (just like in Spain, 90% of the effort is on those with Basque names, or 10 years ago in England, when 90% of the effort was on those with Irish accents.) We should be equally diligent on those with this profile whether they enter via JFK, Canada, Mexico, or Yale. Pretty simple I think.
POINT NUMBER TWO: Realistically, I don't think there's much that can be done about the 10-15 million illegal immigrants already in the US. And I don't think there's much that should be done with them either, unless they are felons or cheating the system.
But regarding future reform, I'm convinced that the best reform is to reform our own system. If people are worried that immigrants receive more benefits than they give us in tax revenues (I'm not convinced this is the case, but if it is), then why not cut the benefits? Eliminate all welfare benefits for newcomers. How hard is that?
If 90% of immigrants come to the US to work and 10% come to cheat (I just made those figures up), we'll eliminate cheaters in one fell swoop by eliminating welfare. This also includes the dual language programs at schools which make those kids dependent, and the dual language instructions at the voting booths, drivers' registry, etc. Hey, I'm in favor of kids learning Spanish, but if everyone is forced to learn English first, they'll assimilate more quickly and become independent faster.
I'm a proponent of immigration. Immigrants grow the economy, keep inflation down, and they'll pay for social security (if that's important). There's also a shortage of engineers, doctors, nurses, policemen and all sorts of jobs in the US, and because we have full employment, we need qualified people.
I hope democrats and republicans don't take the latest demonstrations to become increasingly protectionist and anti-immigration - that's the wrong stance to take.
1. The potential threat of terrorists entering
2. The cost factor
POINT NUMBER ONE: Regarding terrorism, it's a valid concern. We don't want terrorists entering the US via Canada, Mexico, or even Yale. It's tricky because as we all know, most terrorists in the world do not come from Latin America, Canada, or Yale.
However, we do know where most terrorists do come from. I'm convinced that the best defense is to be most dilligent of the people that FIT THE PROFILE. This means men, 18-45. And this also usually means Middle Eastern. If there's monitoring to be done, 90% of it should be done on those that fit the profile. (just like in Spain, 90% of the effort is on those with Basque names, or 10 years ago in England, when 90% of the effort was on those with Irish accents.) We should be equally diligent on those with this profile whether they enter via JFK, Canada, Mexico, or Yale. Pretty simple I think.
POINT NUMBER TWO: Realistically, I don't think there's much that can be done about the 10-15 million illegal immigrants already in the US. And I don't think there's much that should be done with them either, unless they are felons or cheating the system.
But regarding future reform, I'm convinced that the best reform is to reform our own system. If people are worried that immigrants receive more benefits than they give us in tax revenues (I'm not convinced this is the case, but if it is), then why not cut the benefits? Eliminate all welfare benefits for newcomers. How hard is that?
If 90% of immigrants come to the US to work and 10% come to cheat (I just made those figures up), we'll eliminate cheaters in one fell swoop by eliminating welfare. This also includes the dual language programs at schools which make those kids dependent, and the dual language instructions at the voting booths, drivers' registry, etc. Hey, I'm in favor of kids learning Spanish, but if everyone is forced to learn English first, they'll assimilate more quickly and become independent faster.
I'm a proponent of immigration. Immigrants grow the economy, keep inflation down, and they'll pay for social security (if that's important). There's also a shortage of engineers, doctors, nurses, policemen and all sorts of jobs in the US, and because we have full employment, we need qualified people.
I hope democrats and republicans don't take the latest demonstrations to become increasingly protectionist and anti-immigration - that's the wrong stance to take.
posted by pistolpete | 5:22 AM
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