Illegal Immigration hurts Legal Immigrants!

Democrats want Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants. Republicans would prefer having Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants. They have different reasons to support Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants, none of which are the good of the nation or WE THE PEOPLE. Illegal Immigration hurts Legal Immigrants more than anyone else.

Most Americans would like to stop hearing about Illegal Immigrants. Most Americans know that Illegal Immigration drops wages across the economy. Some Americans believe Illegal Immigrants reduce the cost of goods. Some Americans believe that there are jobs Americans will not do. This last point I find absurd considering the 300 million population and 45% of adults not working (yes 45%). Billions of dollars are spent on Illegal Immigrants but many do not realize that Legal Immigrants pay a heavy price.

My wife Raffaella is a Legal Immigrant. Last year her green card was expiring. In accordance with regulations and directions of Homeland Security, she sent her renewal paperwork 90 day before the expiration. Her first green card arrived about 6 weeks after her biometric appointment. This time 6 weeks later a letter arrived indicating that her current green card was automatically renewed for one year after the previous date. I was tranquil. Homeland Security had some problems with the new passport requests and I knew they were a bit behind. The US Government would catch up, I thought. We can put a man on the Moon. We can land a bomb in the 2nd floor corner office from 150 miles away we can surely print a renewal card.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Raffaella decided to get her US driver’s license. Thoughts of the DMV, incredible lines and rude people filled my nightmares. The day finally came when she felt she was prepared.

We arrived early in the morning. Strangely there were no lines; the office was disturbingly empty. I accompanied Raffaella to the counter and pulled out the binder full of documentation, passport, green card and letter from DHS. The clerk looked at the documentation and called the state trooper standing in the corner. Officer Watkins carefully read the documents. After about five minutes he walked out into the public area, handed back the documents and pulled out a page of instructions. Quietly he stated that the DMV accepted only the documents listed on the sheet.

I looked at him, not understanding. The green card, valid passport, social security card were all considered valid documents. He explained that the green card was no longer valid. I showed him the letter.

He looked at the document number at the top of the letter and responded, “We only accept the documents listed on the paper.”

I explained that these were the documents and he again responded, “We only accept the documents listed on the paper.”

I slowly began to understand and asked, “You are telling me you do not accept documents from the Department of Homeland Security?”

He again responded, “We only accept the documents listed on the paper.”

The adrenaline was flowing; my hands began to shake, and the volume of my voice became more intense.

He again responded, “We only accept the documents listed on the paper.”

He clearly was saying, “Look you idiot. The letter extending the validity is not on my sheet. I am not going to admit that DMV does not recognize DHS documents. Leave!”

I looked at him and asked why he was treating me like an idiot. I had been cordial. I did not make any negative comments about him, police officers, government or any other public officials. If he would not allow the documents from DHS, why not come clean and admit it?

The room was now filling up. Fifty people or so were more interested in understanding why the DMW would not accept documents from DHS than getting their license renewed. A small group was moving to my assistance. They could not believe that the DMV would not accept documents from DHS.

He asked us to come to his office. He continued in his normal tone telling me that he could only accept the documents listed on the paper. I asked to talk to his supervisor. He decided to make a phone call.

The supervisor asked for the documents via Fax and they sent us home with a promise of the phone call. Sure to their word, “We cannot accept the documents because the letter is not valid for a long enough period of time.”

Those who have had the privilege of doing things with the government know that there is no resolution when the government returns a blank stare. I called DHS to no avail. I went to the DHS web site to see that the renewal would have been processed within 6 months and no other information available. I sent a request only to receive a response that the renewal was “in the works” and if any further documentation were necessary I would receive a written request.

Time passed and I became concerned. Perhaps DHS had sent a request and it got lost in the mail (you know, another governmental agency which we should have faith in).

Enlightenment came while reading the Dallas morning news. DHS is opening two new regional processing facilities in North Texas. It seems that normal processing times have lengthened from about 3 months to 18 months. Following the recent crackdown more Illegal Immigrants decided to ask for residency. Yes, the crackdown is working. If required people will actually follow the law. In the first quarter of 2007 the number of applications went to just over 1.2 million overloading the system. Just think if all 24 million Illegal Immigrants actually requested residency. The application time would be over 10 years.

To this date I have no clue of when the renewal green card will arrive. Raffaella cannot get a Texas driver’s license. We have no recourse and no one to talk. We have spent over $5,000 in various fees, lawyer costs, and documents. Still a Legal Immigrant cannot do what law grants her the right to do. If she were like the 24 million Illegal Immigrants she would simply drive without a license or go to one of the sanctuary states but we believe in following the law.

If the Amnesty bill were to go forward the results would be disastrous for Legal Immigrants and for DHS. It would be impossible to execute the applications without increasing 100 fold the number of DHS employees including infrastructures, buildings and the like. Before any type of Immigration Reform can be discussed the influx of new illegal immigrants must be stopped and DHS must have sufficient manpower to handle the work. Anything else would result in anarchy. DHS could not handle the applications. Immigrants would be granted legal status without background checks. DHS could not even make sure that the appropriate fees for the applications would be paid.

Many people want to say that the poor Illegal Immigrants are suffering and they deserve special treatment. No one is defending the Legal Immigrants who are paying a high price for obeying current law. The lesson is follow the rules and get screwed. Break the law and everything will be fine. Illegal Immigration hurts Legal Immigrants more than anyone else.

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America Changes – What is the real debate?

Over the last year I have explored the changes that the United States is undergoing. Rampant unemployment (while official data indicates the lowest unemployment in history), inflation at third world country levels (while the government’s Ppi indicates less than two percent), 1 % of the population homeless, 33% of the population food insecure, 50% of the population that cannot afford a major illness, University costs inflating at 50% a year while young college graduates see salaries decreasing when adjusted for inflation, identity theft rampant, public budget deficits at historically high levels while national infrastructures fall apart, and personal freedoms completely usurped by corporate America and the big brother style of government.

When speaking with people I know well I am often surprised at the position they take on the issues. I am not surprised because of the views are strange instead it is because I know their stated values. The ones who surprised me the most are members of my own family. Actively religious they grew up with the same teachings and values that have defined my defining principles yet they easily do what is financially advantageous instead of what is ethically right. I am always thrown by the statement, “I am not doing anything illegal.” They knew well that ethically their actions were very bad but the fact that law did not prohibit it made everything ok.

All of the issues are merely symptoms. They are the result of the way Americans see right and wrong. The debate that is raging, without a single word spoken about this specific topic, is very simple. It is our vision of the future. The opposing and contrasting views are:

1. The individual is more important than the whole of humanity
2. Progression of the whole of Humanity is more important than the individual.

As I was a child I was inspired by the words of John Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you instead ask what you can do for your country. “ and Martin Luther King’s dream of the equality of mankind, and, even, Startrek’s Spock sacrificing his life for the crew with the words, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” As a child I read avidly books recounting the heroic actions of WWII. I am an Eagle Scout with respect for flag and country.

I thought the principles that guide my actions were a result of my family’s strict religious adherence. I could not understand how religious people could be individual oriented in their reasoning. Recently I realized that who I am is not a product of my religious upbringing instead I was influenced by those leaders who spoke of unity, by the selfless actions of soldiers in difficult times and public service contributing to our nation.

Often I have been ridiculed as the “idealist” looking for the Utopian existence. Other times I am labeled as a socialist, populist or even pinko commie fag. What can I say? I believe the progression of humanity, the future of our children is more important than me having a newer, bigger, better car. I believe that long term stability is more important that instant gratification. These basic principles guide my every decision

This is the basic discussion in the US political debate yet candidates are fighting over the symptoms. Fighting over the symptoms will simply divide our nation. We need candidates who will talk about the real issue. We need candidates who can unite Americans around the future. This is leadership. Where are the leaders who can honestly talk about the future? Where do they stand on these basic issues? Dear candidates, please tell us, where do you stand on the basic principles that I was taught are, the who America is?

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Border Patrol Agent Assaulted in Jail – Why are we so confused?

One of the Border Patrol Agents recently convicted for shooting an illegal immigrant smuggling drugs across the border from Mexico was savagely beaten in prison over the weekend. Most Americans are amazed that these agents were convicted of any wrongdoing. Most Americans believe that the agents should have been allowed to remain free while they appeal the ruling. Most Americans do not understand why there is not a retrial, since 4 jurors stated they were coerced by the jury foreman. Most Americans do not understand why the President will not Pardon the agents even though the President is pardoning drug smugglers and the likes. Most Americans do not understand why the congressional pardon is taking months to get voted on.

While I am saddened for the agents and embarrassed by the way our representatives are not representing us perhaps this is a good thing. You see, most Americans believe that the justice system’s primary directive is to find the truth. That anyone accused surely is guilty, with a few exceptions. Most Americans believe that our elected representatives actually are interested in serving the public. Finally, most Americans believe in the institutions, the flag and the country.

Perhaps this is the wake-up call for most Americans. The justice system is out to convict YOU, not to find the truth. Our elected representatives are only interested in filling THEIR own pockets at YOUR expense. The Public Servant is not serving the public. Finally, the institutions are rotten to the core, the flag has lost its meaning through corruption and collusion between government and business and country will lose its relevance in the world if we do not take our country back.

Do you believe what politicians say? Do you believe the government data that the cost of living has only increased 2.5% this year? Do you agree that the government needs to break its contractual agreements with those who have paid into social security all their life? Do you believe that it is your responsibility to protect the corporation’s interests around the world while your neighbors die because they cannot afford health insurance? Do you believe that there are children born into this nation who are more valuable than others?

America while you are going to church on Sunday, please think about what our country has come to represent and remember that a nation is the face of a people.

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Gov. Rick Perry of Texas – Another Politician lying to the electorate

As if we did not already know it another politician is reneging on his promises to secure the Texas border with Mexico. The Dallas Morning News of Sunday December 10, 2006 published Mark Davis’ article following an interview of the Governor by Mr. Davis. Mark Davis has a nationwide weekday radio talk show. The subtitle, “He sometimes sounds like a Democrat when addressing the border.” While I assume he means that he feels democrats want a free border and amnesty policy with Mexico I do not believe border security is a Democrat or Republican issue. If our laws are broken and someone aids the individual breaking the law they are as guilty as the person breaking the law. It does not matter whether or not the aiding individual is a politician or not.

Mr. Perry touted his tough border policy in Television ads and this cannot be just considered false advertising or protected under the buyer beware clauses so actively supported by corporate America. Mr. Perry hides behind the argument, “It’s a Federal problem.” Well, Mr. Perry that may be true but you ran on a secure border policy. I remember well your concerned and attentive face as you carefully scan the US-Mexican border. If this was not your true feeling you should have said so in the campaign. But you could not do so, could you? You would have lost the election.

Mr. Perry, the time for lying sleaze balls representing us is over. You stated your position and you were elected. There is a contract. Do your part. Texans want honest men to represent us in these trying and dangerous times. We will do what is necessary to obstruct every step you take until you find your integrity.

Unfortunately lying politicians is not something unusual. Corruption and Collusion between Corporate America and Politicians is so rampant that an honest man in Washington is hard to find. Our political system is broken. We must eliminate the two party system. We must eliminate corporate Lobbying. We must eliminate fundraising from corporations and limit tax deductions for individuals on any amounts over $1,500. There are numerous hard working, honest, people in the US willing to dedicate their time to public service. To attract these people we first need to get rid of the gunk.

The US can overcome these difficult and troubling times but we must first look inward and clean our own house before looking elsewhere.

Tags: Politics Corporate America Corrupt Politicians Government Data War on the Middle Class Border Security Port Security Stop Pork Spending Illegal Immigration

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