"... the law that we have in place has created an entire underground system of smugglers, inn keepers, and document forgers. And that's not the American way, by the way."
-George W. Bush, on immigration reform
I've never really understood what to make of the American fascination with illegal immigrants. Having a hugely wealthy nation just north of an incredibly broke one certainly provides the motivation for the immigrants. But Americans -- you know, the ones who had the common sense and planning skills to be BORN there -- always seem to be up in arms about it.
I don't see what the fuss is all about. Every time I've been in the States I've seen a lot of Mexicans, and they always seem to be terribly busy, clearing tables and sweeping floors and nannying babies and such. And apparently Dubya seems (unlike others I've heard from) to grasp that these immigrants are much-needed human beings.
The one thing that puzzles me about his comments on illegal immigrants today? Given that these immigrants are human beings responding to natural human motivations, it's nice that Bush is concerned about the huge underground economy and crime that such a thing naturally generates if it's made illegal.
But what about the billions of dollars in associated crime and thousands of lives wasted by the "War On Drugs"? Just as people have a natural urge to feed themselves and their families (and will take risks to do so), people also have a natural urge to get messed up in the head. Alcohol, THC, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, chocolate, Ecstasy... all mood-altering substances.
The Republican Party may finally be ready to recognize that illegal immigrants are human beings. That's a step int he right direction. Maybe if they can keep up the momentum and finally recognize human nature, America will be a saner and wiser place.
Nah... I must be stoned.
-George W. Bush, on immigration reform
I've never really understood what to make of the American fascination with illegal immigrants. Having a hugely wealthy nation just north of an incredibly broke one certainly provides the motivation for the immigrants. But Americans -- you know, the ones who had the common sense and planning skills to be BORN there -- always seem to be up in arms about it.
I don't see what the fuss is all about. Every time I've been in the States I've seen a lot of Mexicans, and they always seem to be terribly busy, clearing tables and sweeping floors and nannying babies and such. And apparently Dubya seems (unlike others I've heard from) to grasp that these immigrants are much-needed human beings.
The one thing that puzzles me about his comments on illegal immigrants today? Given that these immigrants are human beings responding to natural human motivations, it's nice that Bush is concerned about the huge underground economy and crime that such a thing naturally generates if it's made illegal.
But what about the billions of dollars in associated crime and thousands of lives wasted by the "War On Drugs"? Just as people have a natural urge to feed themselves and their families (and will take risks to do so), people also have a natural urge to get messed up in the head. Alcohol, THC, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, chocolate, Ecstasy... all mood-altering substances.
The Republican Party may finally be ready to recognize that illegal immigrants are human beings. That's a step int he right direction. Maybe if they can keep up the momentum and finally recognize human nature, America will be a saner and wiser place.
Nah... I must be stoned.
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