The issue of immigration reform is a very hot topic these days. When a similar bill was introduced last year the electorate was outraged. Just before the elections last Fall the President and Congress went through the motions of approving a fence apparently meant to placate the public. However, since then only a few miles of the 750 mile approved fence has been funded and constructed. Seems to me that the government cannot be trusted to do what they say they will do, especially on this matter of immigration reform. T.D., a friend of A Good Choice . . . blog, sent us another provocative and penetrating email. It is a parable. The original source is unknown. It follows below.
NO MORE FREE LUNCHES
“I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.
“But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table...everywhere. Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.
“After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be...quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.
“Now let’s see...our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: you child's 2nd grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.
“Maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.”
BUSH-KENNEDY-MCCAIN-REID NEW BIRD FEEDER BILL
Why are the President and several key GOP and Democrats pushing so hard for the amnesty-in-disguise “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” bill? Don’t they see what many average Americans see so clearly, as wonderfully illustrated by the little vignette above? The above story compliments the article Matt posted on this blog last Friday, "If We Build It, They Won't Come" in which Representative Duncan Hunter urges the American government to make building a fence on our southern border a priority and to avoid enacting any additional legislation until we enforce what is already on the books. My (gregjaye) article last Saturday, “2008, Point of Deporture” urges America to start enforcing current immigration laws aggressively and to begin deporting the illegals one and a time. In that article I contend that if any politician stubbornly refuses to secure our borders or enforce our CURRENT immigration laws, he or she should be soundly defeated in the elections of 2008 across the board without regard to party affiliation. In other words enjoy your retirement along with President Bush . . .
Borrowing the language of liberal-speak President Bush and his good buddy Senator Edward Kennedy call Amnesty for 12-20 million illegal aliens "Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” This is like calling killing of babies "a woman's right to choose", or calling homosexuals “gay”, or applying the concept of "tolerance" only to political correct thoughts and ideas.
Vehemently oppose this very bad immigration bill. No new laws until we SECURE THE BORDERS and ENFORCE current immigration laws.
I love your use of the parable. It is a great teaching tool. That is why Jesus used parables. He could teach us things about ourselves and our society that we need to change without telling us that directly. But lets remember that people are not birds. Jesus taught us that we should treat others as if they were members of our own family.
ReplyDeleteBut let us set aside the moral aspect of this argument for now and talk about the economic aspect. What will we do with 12 million illegals immigrants. Shall we send them back to their native countries? And what would it cost us to do that? If it only cost $100.00 per person, that comes to a whopping $1,200,000,000.00 (one billion, 200 million dollars). Do we really have this kind of money to throw at this problem? And how much money does that leave us for border security and enforcement?
Now I want to be clear that I do not like every aspect of this bill either. But the people on both sides of this issue need to compromise and come to a consensus. This is what our Democratic form of government is all about. Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water.
I've looked at both sides of this long-debated issue and it's a tough one.
ReplyDeleteI believe in fairness to those who are seeking a better way of life for themselves and their families. However, there is much at stake in all of this.
There would be an astronomical cost involved in deporting all illegal immigrants from this country. Such a vast deportation would be economically devastating to the United States. In addition, such a move would open the door for possible nationwide rioting and looting such as has never been in this country. The riots of the 60's and 70's would pale in comparision.
The first move, of course, is to secure our southern border with Mexico.
The second step is to follow through with the fine that the government is considering. It would bring in a hefty revenue back into our coffers--that is if we don't send it to prop up another government somewhere else in the world.
Thirdly, establish a sizable immigration fee upon every person who wishes to become a part of this great country in the future. This could be achieved once the person gains employment in this country--and could be automatically deducted from that persons paycheck straight into the U.S. Treasury.
This would set a precedent for all that follow hereafter. If you live here you abide by the laws of this country, and you pay the cost just like everyone else who is a legal resident.
Our government must tighten its grip on the immigration issue and put some bite into its bark. It's not an issue that cannot be resolved.
But, after all, where have all the real leaders gone.
http://mattmillerspoliticalblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/immigration.html
ReplyDelete