What if everything we know about illegal immigration is wrong? What if our complacency is actually complicity in crimes numerous and heinous? What if both political parties see immigrants — legal and otherwise — as nothing more than a voting bloc and will do anything, say anything, to add them to and keep them on their roster? Is it possible that the money the illegal immigrants send back to Mexico is propping up a country that would collapse without it, making the daily chaos and murder that Americans ignore a permanent feature of life in a beautiful country? The dirty secret is that very few politicians care how many dead bodies are strewn across our deserts or where illegally obtained wages end up or whether Mexicans are being executed in the streets.
This story is sad, and all too common. We need to rethink our approach to Mexico and illegal immigration. Too many conservatives have accepted the Left’s lie that to oppose illegal immigration is racist, and too many regular Republicans have decided that racism is okay.
I’m not saying that the death of Maria Santos Gorrostieta is the fault of our country’s tacit acceptance of illegal immigration as a legitimate form of immigration, but in a country where this kind of violence is common, encouraging illegal remittances seems immoral. Streamlining the citizenship process seems a better answer, among other things.
I love Mexico. I grew up on the border; I hate to see these stories.
You might find this interesting.
Human Trafficking: The Other Good Reason to Reform Immigration
NOVEMBER 14, 2012 by LEWIS M. ANDREWS
http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/human-trafficking-the-other-good-reason-to-reform-immigration
This is sick and so horribly sad. And it is “the tip of the iceberg.” (Women in the Middle-East, Saudi Arabia, Iran? Hello?). We have, in our ever smaller world, women being tortured, mutilated, stoned to death, assassinated, beaten to death, “honor killings” happening in the USA, anyone? and one of our biggest national issues is “free” birth control? Before anyone calls me a sexist let me say that all I’m saying is that I am for women’s rights. All women everywhere. That said, am I more concerned about free birth control in the USA than women being stoned to death in the Middle East? No. I am more concerned about women being stoned to death. Call me sexist.
I agree that immigration (and all minority pandering) is being used for nefarious purposes and that both parties have it wrong.Mexico has bad management. I have worked in Honduras. And while there talked to people about the difference between, say Honduras and Costa Rica. In terms of natural resources the two countries are similar. So why is Costa Rica so much richer? My friends in Honduras suggest, better management? I have been to places in Honduras where the view is as beautiful and spectacular as anything in Santa Barbara, CA, where I lived for several years. So what’s the deal? Maybe bad management? So, I’m with you. Let Mexico collapse. Let people who are diligent and serious be here. Heaven knows a great many of our natives are neither serious or diligent. But now I’m getting into our own cultural problems.
I do wish it were easier to hire simply the best, most qualified person for the job. In my mind, with whatever organization I am working with that is our goal. To build the best team. The red tape is maddening sometimes to do that. So, also, immigration needs to be fixes so that I can hire someone from India or Pakistan who has the skills I need. Because it is maddening and stupid that we take people with no skills and turn away PhDs that we need.
Thanks for your post!
I am shocked and saddened to read about this. I remember reading about her before and being afraid for her safety. That was a remarkably brave woman. I don’t think I possess that kind of courage she had. It makes me sick to think of the people that would do this. I am also sickened by the callousness of the Obama administration, that’s all for posing in the situation room for Sandy photos, but when it comes down to brass tacks our administraion is nothing but the shadowy mist of something that seemed like a good idea to someone some time ago. Nobody’s home, and there is no one to apppeal to. Good post.
Obama–the plan to “stick it to the man” made flesh.
Good one, James!