Wanna live in Mexico?
Public Forum Letter
Article Last Updated: 02/20/2008 06:11:07 PM MST


President Ronald Reagan granted amnesty to illegal immigrants 30 years ago, hoping to solve the problem with American compassion and generosity. The flow of illegals increased exponentially. Now, Mexican President Felipe Calderon is telling Americans that we can't enforce our own laws. "I have said that Mexico does not stop at its border," he said, "that wherever there is a Mexican, there is Mexico." He may be right.
The same things that illegal immigrants were unwilling to fight against in their own country - corruption, crime, drug cartels, disease, low pay and no rights - are following them to the U.S. Mexico is as rich in potential and natural resources as the United States. The difference is in the sacrifices American citizens have made over the last 200 years to create the benefits we and our children enjoy and others want. The difference is in the minds, laws, commitments and culture of this nation, not in the geographic position of the land.
To illegals who are here to "build a better life" in violation of our laws, I say, please respect this country and the common language, ideals and culture it is built on. If not, we'll all be living in Mexico.

Valerie Walker
Sandy

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_8316763