Upon reading of the enactment of the Arizona law compelling all immigrants to carry immigration documents, my thoughts, like those of Cardinal Mahony and millions of others, turned at once to one of the darkest moments in the world's history.
"Why does the world shed crocodile’s tears over the richly merited fate of a small... minority? … I ask the American people: Are you prepared to receive in your midst these well-poisoners of the... people? We would willingly give everyone of them a free ...ticket and (money) for travelling expenses, if we could get rid of them." (Quoted in N H Baynes, The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, Oxford University Press, 1942, Volume I, pp.727-28).
It serves as a chilling reminder of the worst that resides in all of us. It is a sad moment when the Governor of Arizona feels compelled by right wing factions, by election year concerns, or by what ever voices are in her head, to sign into law a bill which so clearly violates the most basic concepts that are the underpinning of our nation. Let us hope that this law is quickly erased from the books and is but a regrettable footnote in the struggles to find reasonable solutions to the issues regarding illegal immigration.
4 comments:
The problem seems to be that there are no reasonable solutions for individual states. Arizona, not a high population state, has been invaded and the onslaught continues. Half a million and counting. The inaction of the federal government has forced this state to take drastic measures to protect itself and its citizens from fiscal ruin as these people absorb tax-based services and dilute and crowd out tax-paying citizens in classrooms, emergency rooms, etc. Absent a federal plan, what else could they do other than taxing the legals to provide a free ride to the invaders?
Recognize that they aren't going to get rid of an entire population of people, and deal with them as part of the system.
Make sure there are laws in place that end up bringing revenue to the state relating to all people who inhabit and work there.
Deal with the problems at the border and in Mexico. Do something about the drug trade so that it is not such a massive money maker in the US etc etc
Deal with it in creative ways that understand the limits of just trying to catch and deport.
I agree with everything you said in principal, but these issues are the Federal Government's responsibility.
The first step in any plan where they will have to contribute fiscally is to find them, document them, and know where they are, at least to the same extent as any citizen. I'm not for rounding them all up and throwing them out...that would be inhumane, but if the Fed continues to ignore the issue, AZ has to take a defensive stand.
I understand the overwhelming nature of the problem, but enacting regressive unconstitutional laws is not taking a stand. The legislation was ugly and ultimately will not serve as anything other than a reminder of the worst in government
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