Tweet
With the health care debate raging hot and heavy over the last four months, it’s been easy to forget that some other big domestic issues are on the horizon. For example, immigration reform might come to the table sooner than expected, according to The New York Times:
The Obama administration will insist on measures to give legal status to an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants as it pushes early next year for legislation… Under the plan, illegal immigrants who hope to gain legal status would have to register, pay fines and all taxes they owe, pass a criminal background check and learn English.
Without further details, such as exactly how the IRS would determine how much backtax an undocumented worker owes, it is difficult to know how viable Obama’s plan will be. Perhaps he’ll leave the fine points to Congress as he’s done with health care reform. At any rate, here’s hoping that whatever reform comes along is compassionate, constructive, and deals with the deeper issues behind the immediate problems.
What’s on your mind tonight?
9 Comments
Immigrants who have been working should have wage records for computing back taxes, I would think. Actually, the right wing should be very pleased to put this end to their complaints about free services provided by our taxes, since now theimmigrant will be paying for those services just the same as any of the rest of us. right?
Well, they flipped out over Bush’s amnesty plan, which was fairly similar, wasn’t it? And they liked him. I doubt they’ll support anything Obama proposes short of round ‘em up, deport ‘em, and build a 200-foot tall wall guarded by sharks with lasers.
build a 200-foot tall wall guarded by sharks with lasers.
Isn’t that the new act at Seaworld? yeh, no doubt you’re right; there is no solution that simply solves a problem – that doesn’t cause suffering to the right’s latest hate objects – that will stop the hate spiel.
“they flipped out over Bush’s amnesty plan”
“They” flipped out? As I recall close to 80% of the public was screaming, “Hell, NO!” I have a nagging suspicion it wasn’t exclusively “the right wing”…
Question: If you legalize the 12 million already here what do you intend to do in 10 years when we have the same problem all over again? I believe one reason the Bush-Kennedy Amnesty failed was that the people remembered what happened the first time around and objected to repeating history.
What do YOU think the answer is to the ‘immigration problem’?
Be like most of the other Countries in the world, protect our borders, and let in only who we want to.
As for the illegals what makes the ignorants in Washington think becomming a citizen is worth a fine, paying back taxes, and waiting, when You already can do as You damn well please in the country?
Way to many are working for cash, and on jobs with no taxes being paid, so their going to give this,”like free money,” up to pay taxes and all those things.
Like I say the ignorance of the people we sent to Washington is mind boggling.
Other than the illegals.
We keep hearing we are a country of immigrants.
Yes We Are, but in the past people came hear to start new lives, and were willing to work, learn english and wanted to be part of this great new Nation.
Today’s immigrants are hear to use this Nation, Most could care less about being citizens even if they go through the motions.
You see the dream is gone, The ones who came hear for the dream bought into it and wanted to be part of it, and joined us as fellow citizens.
Today people come hear enjoy all we have to offer like making more money than they could at home and living the good life, but they figure by the taxes they pay they are paying for this, and don’t have to buy into the dream. They are the users, using everything without having to put out anything for it. They could give a shit about patriotism, loving the country, and even being part of it, because they get all the advantages without having to give anything for it.
This is quite a difference in the quality of people who used to join us from what joins us today. The people in Washington just assume that everyone who comes here comes because they love America and want to be part of it. To believe this means they have to put the greed in their hearts a side, and believe that other people wouldn’t have greedy reasons for wanting to come here.
People who come hear don’t say OH I love America so I just want to be part of it. They come hear and say now I can make a buck and live a decent life, and not have to put up with all the bad in their home countries.
Did you mean me, MarkH? Well…
First, you have to base your thinking on reality (like, this is a democracy and 80% of the voters say no amnesty) instead of sloganeering (like, it’s those evil racist Reps gumming up the works).
Second, you have to base your thinking on reality (like, there is no painless solution: any workable answer will cause suffering) instead of escapist fantasy (like, Nanny State will legislate a land of milk and honey where no one ever wants for anything).
Third, you have to base your thinking on reality (like, there are criminals and drugs and weapons crossing the border, too) instead of rosy glasses visions (like, they’re all honest workers trying to feed their kids).
There is no “solution” when a poor country borders a rich one. We have to help Mexico improve their government and their economy in whatever way we can so that the incentive to cross illegally is minimized. Ending the drug war and putting that money into development would be a good start.