Thread: Next project: Learn Spanish

Next project: Learn Spanish



Sunday, April 16, 2006


WASHINGTON
It is hoped the members of the U.S. Senate are safe and secure in their homes, away from Washington, enjoying their two-week spring recess.

Before leaving the capital, they praised themselves for having crafted an unworkable immigration compromise bill, which only mustered 38 votes. Thus, the self-praisers turned on each other's misplaced political loyalties, each blaming the other for failure.

What more could have been expected, with Teddy Kennedy and Hillary Rodham Clinton expected to sing in unison with John McCain and our own Arlen Specter?

Our senators, and certainly Ted Kennedy and John McCain -- co-sponsors of the initial bipartisan bill -- have never shown themselves as able to understand or even think about "consequence management."

So, this Easter let's make sure that they have sufficient information to enable them to merely claim stupidity rather than total disregard for national security.

Pick a number

What's at stake is the status of some 7.5 million illegal aliens, whom the brilliant people in the Senate want to make instant Americans. In fact, many believe there are some 12 million illegal aliens here, and the president has opted for 11 million.

A part of the compromise plan was to create a roster of second-class citizens from those who had only been a "little illegal," or here for less than two years.

The bill opens up full citizenship for at least 7.5 million illegals, provides an additional 400,000 green cards every year, creates a guest-worker program and gives amnesty to the queue jumpers. All the while, the U.S. government would hire more border guards and tighten up border security.

It looks like an attempt to liberalize and legalize, while cracking down. It has all the hallmarks of another domestic policy disaster.

The consequences

If this nonsense should become law, every one of the new citizens, though not those in second class, would have the right to be joined by their spouses and their children. Additionally, once husband and wife are united in the United States, they, as the cozy little family, can request and expect a "first preference," and be joined by both their mums and dads.

Thus, by opening the door to some 7 million, we have to consider -- let's be reasonable and say 6 million spouses, 14 million kids and another 13 million to 26 million from Mexico and Central America's golden age group. That seems to add up to 40 million to 53 million folks. If the parents bring their other children and their families as well, the growth is exponential.

Let's look at what the influx means to our school systems. Are there enough space and enough language facilities? How about health care for the young and the elderly? Then there is the question of social benefits and all of the entitlements available to U.S. citizens. And no one appears to have given any thought as to where all these people will live.

For the mums and dads there will be senior citizen services and pensions, because in Hillary Clinton's America no one could be asked to leave even if they had never heard of the Bronx until young Jose or Miguel moved there.

Immigration issues have become highly charged. Talk radio and cable shows are monopolized by these issues, while millions have marched in rallies from New York to San Diego. In our politically correct society we want a law as long as we don't personally have to be involved in applying it.

Sometimes it makes good sense to personalize an issue. Let's try.

Hello, Francisco

One night, as you sleep in your house, a young and pleasant man, Francisco, breaks a lock, walks in and settles down to sleep in the living room. Next day you ask him to leave but he says that he is comfortable and refuses. You call the police and they can do nothing because they have no empty cells and no other country will take this housebreaker back. Besides, they say, how can you prove in court that your father and grandfather have lived in that house for the past 80 years? To reinforce the police, both the Catholic and Protestant clergy appear to "reason" with you as a "good Samaritan."

Then, a wise man appears called Kennedy McCain, and he tells you that the interloper will learn English. If he gets a job, he will repay you for the broken lock and will help you pay your income tax. For five long years you will learn to live with Francisco -- and despite the

circumstances of your meeting -- you find him helpful and a good guy.

Five years pass, Kennedy McCain reappears, unmarked by age, excesses or thought. He reminds you that Francisco has a job, pays taxes and even covered a small fine of $2,000. He can now understand English and with his driving license has become a registered Democrat.

So, he is free to stay in your house as an equal for all time, except you have to learn Spanish.

Dateline D.C. is written by a Washington-based journalist and political observer.


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune ... 43845.html

Gee, I'm feeling nostalgic for when all we had to worry about was the Commies in the Kremlin.
I think I'll go hide under the bed now. Wake me when this is all over.