This letter was in the local paper yesterday.
Keep lawbreakers because they work?
Recently, large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is – finally – addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
Let’s say I break into your house. Let’s say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave.
“But,” I say, “I’ve made all the beds, washed the dishes, done the laundry and swept the floors; I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).”
According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family’s insurance plan and provide other benefits to me and my family (my husband will do your yardwork because he, too, is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking-in part).
If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends, who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It’s only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m hard-working and honest – um, except for – well, you know.
And what a deal it is for me. I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there’s nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker.
Did I miss anything? Does this sound reasonable to you?
If it does, grab a sign and go picket something. If this sounds insane to you, call your senators and enlighten them because they are stumbling in the darkness right now and really need your help.
LINDA MYERS Fort Wayne
2 comments:
Your logic, as always, is impeccable, Mike. The problem is, however, this is not a logical issue. I've seen Mexican poverty first hand. Working destitue border towns, it is easy to understand why Pedro and Patricia would want to move three hundred yards north so their children and their children's children can have the chance at a better life.
There weren't any immigration laws when the colonists planted their flag at Jamestown or Plymouth. They, like these same immigrants today, simply wanted a better life.
I agree that illigal immigration is . . .well . . . illegal. But I have difficulty going so far as to say it is immoral. It certainly is no more immoral than the squalor we allow our Christian brothers and sisters to endure because they were born in the area that Santa Ana managed to hang on to when Sam Houston forced the concession of Texas, New Mexico, et. al from Mexican control.
It is not an easy problem, and there aren't any easy solutions because we're talking about heart issues.
If my kid is living on a dirt floor, picking through garbage dumps, I swim the river. And, I'm betting you would, too.
Great point, Frank.
I have problems with the WAY this is all playing out, but we do need to do something compassionate and that helps relieve the problem.
The hispanic population makes the rest of us look lazy. Maybe that's why some want them out?
Anyhoo... it's an interesting dilemma for sure.
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