No Border, No Country
The following is a letter I wrote to my state senator, Royce West, after I read a particularly infuriating franking letter in which West outlined his so-called "positions" on border security and illegal immigration.
Dear Senator West,
I typically do not respond to these e-mails, but I thank you for sending them nonetheless. It is a low-cost way to distribute information regarding your positions to your constituents, and I appreciate your taking care of the amount of taxpayers’ money you spend.
Now. As for your positions outlined here. I find nearly every one of them detestable. First of all, let us dispense with the contradictions.
You say that you support strengthening and securing our borders, but you don’t support a fence, wall, sending them back, punishing illegal immigrants for breaking our immigration laws by coming here, or denying welfare benefits that are paid for by legal residents. Yet you do support a form of amnesty (above those who have properly waited in line), and you think anyone who comes to our door “by whatever means” should be allowed in. Exactly how does any of that make our borders more secure? It makes us effectively borderless. If we have no effective borders, Senator, we have no country.
Your comment about feeding illegal immigrants is a straw man that was undoubtedly picked up from media reports that came from statements made by certain members of the Democratic party, if through an unwitting mediator, such as a priest or reverend. However, we currently have laws that makes it a crime to aid illegal immigrants that use language almost identical to the language used in the “objectionable” portions, and it is not read to forbid religious organizations from giving food to starving people. It criminalizes those who take an active part in allowing illegal immigrants to stay in this country by helping them cross the border or hiding them from authorities who would hold them accountable.
On the bright side, we do have a couple of areas of agreement.
First, you’re right that it cannot just apply to Mexican illegal immigrants. It should apply to all illegal immigrants. I’ve read, however, no legislation that states that such laws should only apply to those coming from Mexico. That just happens to be the biggest problem—probably because the Mexican “leadership” encourages them to come up here and even distributes instructions on how to do so without getting caught. Despicable. Why have you not sent any franking letters out about that?
You also agree that employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants should be held to account. This is true. However, I would point out that our problems with illegal immigrants would be less severe if we did away with laws that make the price of labor artificially higher. The income tax and payroll taxes that many illegal immigrants (assuming they’re being paid in cash instead of through a fake SSN, in which case the employer wouldn’t necessarily be liable anyway) don’t have to pay should be abolished outright. In its place, we should have a national retail sales tax, such as the Fair Tax, that ensures even those who are paid illegally will have to pay a tax when they buy goods or services here in the United States. This lightens the incentive to come here illegally, and it ensures that those who do pay directly into the same system they use to educate their children and procure medical care, regardless of whether or not we can track who is paying them and how. I know that, as a state senator, you have very little influence over federal legislation and constitutional amendments, but I do ask that you use whatever influence you might have to see this endeavor through. Happily, this has a host of benefits for ALL Americans.
Just please don’t try to confuse us with claims about the exploitation of immigrant labor. First of all, it is only illegal immigrants that concern us, and second, you ought not demonize employers for giving wages to people you refuse to stop from coming in. Employers are bound by the law; this is true. But your e-mail defies any understanding that those wishing to become citizens or workers here are also obligated to the law. The disconnect you display on that inconsistency boggles the mind.
Almost every LEGAL immigrant I’ve met is extremely hard working and is proud to be an American. Many illegal immigrants, as recent protests demonstrate, hold loyalty to their home countries—mostly Mexico. That alone should tip you off that this is about more than employment. It’s about the security of our borders—the same borders you won’t do anything substantial to safeguard.
One of the problems with having such a large body of people loyal to Mexico (or elsewhere) residing in our country is that—look—everyone is entitled to self-government. These people, though they live here and are bound by our laws, have absolutely no voting rights (although they might vote anyway, if reports are true!). How long do you think it will be that they will tolerate this? How long should they? It just so happens that their government is elsewhere, and it is there that they should go so that they can live under laws of their own choosing. It is morally incomprehensible that you would allow a large body of “guest” workers here that are permanently disenfranchised. If they want to become residents, there is a process that needs to be followed in order to achieve that status. It is simply unjust for you to allow them to jump in front of the millions of others who have been patiently waiting for this land of opportunity.
I put “guest” in quotes because guests, in the truest sense, are invited. We, being the 85% of Americans who desire stricter enforcement of our immigration laws, did not invite them. Therefore, they are not guests at all, but invaders. You are bound by your oath of office, sir, to protect this nation from invasion, and I will continue to hold YOU responsible for the continued broach of our laws.
With My Kindest Regards,
V. Cameron Beck
Dear Senator West,
I typically do not respond to these e-mails, but I thank you for sending them nonetheless. It is a low-cost way to distribute information regarding your positions to your constituents, and I appreciate your taking care of the amount of taxpayers’ money you spend.
Now. As for your positions outlined here. I find nearly every one of them detestable. First of all, let us dispense with the contradictions.
You say that you support strengthening and securing our borders, but you don’t support a fence, wall, sending them back, punishing illegal immigrants for breaking our immigration laws by coming here, or denying welfare benefits that are paid for by legal residents. Yet you do support a form of amnesty (above those who have properly waited in line), and you think anyone who comes to our door “by whatever means” should be allowed in. Exactly how does any of that make our borders more secure? It makes us effectively borderless. If we have no effective borders, Senator, we have no country.
Your comment about feeding illegal immigrants is a straw man that was undoubtedly picked up from media reports that came from statements made by certain members of the Democratic party, if through an unwitting mediator, such as a priest or reverend. However, we currently have laws that makes it a crime to aid illegal immigrants that use language almost identical to the language used in the “objectionable” portions, and it is not read to forbid religious organizations from giving food to starving people. It criminalizes those who take an active part in allowing illegal immigrants to stay in this country by helping them cross the border or hiding them from authorities who would hold them accountable.
On the bright side, we do have a couple of areas of agreement.
First, you’re right that it cannot just apply to Mexican illegal immigrants. It should apply to all illegal immigrants. I’ve read, however, no legislation that states that such laws should only apply to those coming from Mexico. That just happens to be the biggest problem—probably because the Mexican “leadership” encourages them to come up here and even distributes instructions on how to do so without getting caught. Despicable. Why have you not sent any franking letters out about that?
You also agree that employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants should be held to account. This is true. However, I would point out that our problems with illegal immigrants would be less severe if we did away with laws that make the price of labor artificially higher. The income tax and payroll taxes that many illegal immigrants (assuming they’re being paid in cash instead of through a fake SSN, in which case the employer wouldn’t necessarily be liable anyway) don’t have to pay should be abolished outright. In its place, we should have a national retail sales tax, such as the Fair Tax, that ensures even those who are paid illegally will have to pay a tax when they buy goods or services here in the United States. This lightens the incentive to come here illegally, and it ensures that those who do pay directly into the same system they use to educate their children and procure medical care, regardless of whether or not we can track who is paying them and how. I know that, as a state senator, you have very little influence over federal legislation and constitutional amendments, but I do ask that you use whatever influence you might have to see this endeavor through. Happily, this has a host of benefits for ALL Americans.
Just please don’t try to confuse us with claims about the exploitation of immigrant labor. First of all, it is only illegal immigrants that concern us, and second, you ought not demonize employers for giving wages to people you refuse to stop from coming in. Employers are bound by the law; this is true. But your e-mail defies any understanding that those wishing to become citizens or workers here are also obligated to the law. The disconnect you display on that inconsistency boggles the mind.
Almost every LEGAL immigrant I’ve met is extremely hard working and is proud to be an American. Many illegal immigrants, as recent protests demonstrate, hold loyalty to their home countries—mostly Mexico. That alone should tip you off that this is about more than employment. It’s about the security of our borders—the same borders you won’t do anything substantial to safeguard.
One of the problems with having such a large body of people loyal to Mexico (or elsewhere) residing in our country is that—look—everyone is entitled to self-government. These people, though they live here and are bound by our laws, have absolutely no voting rights (although they might vote anyway, if reports are true!). How long do you think it will be that they will tolerate this? How long should they? It just so happens that their government is elsewhere, and it is there that they should go so that they can live under laws of their own choosing. It is morally incomprehensible that you would allow a large body of “guest” workers here that are permanently disenfranchised. If they want to become residents, there is a process that needs to be followed in order to achieve that status. It is simply unjust for you to allow them to jump in front of the millions of others who have been patiently waiting for this land of opportunity.
I put “guest” in quotes because guests, in the truest sense, are invited. We, being the 85% of Americans who desire stricter enforcement of our immigration laws, did not invite them. Therefore, they are not guests at all, but invaders. You are bound by your oath of office, sir, to protect this nation from invasion, and I will continue to hold YOU responsible for the continued broach of our laws.
With My Kindest Regards,
V. Cameron Beck
posted by Cameron Beck at 10:18 AM
1 Comments:
Here, here!!
Excellent response to the Senator.
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