My basic position is our federal government should do nothing most of the time because the people in government positions aren’t smart enough to even begin to analyze the many unintended consequences of their “doing something.” And they seem too arrogant to ask experts for advice and too self-serving to care what they say. By “doing something” about a situation they deem as a problem, they can make a case for their re-election, sell themselves as a hero and the public will have long forgotten their involvement when those pesky “unintended consequences” of their actions roll around. (The other funny thing is most of the “heroic” actions the government wants to implement are unfunded – they have no idea how the initiative will be paid for, and really they don’t care, it just sounds good and they look great by voting for it.)
Of course, I have 3 exceptions to my “do nothing” stance: education, defense, and some economic development. Education and defense are obvious needs – although public education is so screwed up, it would take a radical revolution to fix at this point. As for economic development…this is about leveling the playing field in an economy due to other governments’ involvement. I don’t mind giving a little boost to new business ventures to ensure first-mover advantages (one great example being new energy source development).
Recently I came across another example of those “unintended consequences” I wanted to share with you. Texas and California tightened their border security 15 years ago with increased troops, equipment, resources, an organized plan with an Official Name for the Operation. The thinking at that time was “it’s okay to not give Arizona the same level of support.” The harsh terrain of the Sonoran Desert would naturally dissuade illegal immigrants from using that path, so we’ll funnel them all to there…
The result: we created a market for the ruthless coyotes, hired to lead the groups of people through the desert, with a price of $1800 a head. Now look at the mess – the coyotes have become human smugglers, kidnappers, torturers, rapists, murderers…they’re FUNDED, with ability and equipment, like a frickin’ little army operation breaching OUR BORDER!! Are we looking at a counter-military operation to get control of this crazy situation now?
Our border is a defense issue. A security problem. And that’s number one on my “Things to Actually Do” List. Give this action whatever it needs to get done correctly. Please take money from all the other stoopid things we fund.
Showing posts with label Immigration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Immigration. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
The American Nightmare
Before anyone discusses immigration policy, they should read this Houston Press article. Every word of it. Nine pages. Look at every bloody photo. Then leave the emotion and personal baggage at the door and come to the table with ideas how to make this stop forever.
http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-08-12/news/seized-inside-the-brutal-world-of-america-s-kidnapping-capital/1/
My ideas: There needs to be a very clear Right Path (Legal Immigration) and Wrong Path (Illegal Immigration) for these people. We need to station troops or WHATEVER it takes to completely shut down the borders, thus eliminating the Wrong Path. Nobody gets through anywhere. I don’t want to hear whining about racism and stopping people with brown skin or white skin. I want every VAN type of vehicle, whether it’s painted white or brown, stopped and searched, if it will save lives! And I believe it will. I don’t care who is driving the van. (Actually, the article mentions the use of white drivers to deter suspicion.)
Then we focus on improving efficiency of the Right Path. People waiting 20 years for approved status is obviously not acceptable.
I have ideas how to improve this efficiency. Obviously, government can’t be trusted to do it correctly. It creates systems that take 20 years to deal with an application. We need to take whatever money is spent on this process now and give it to private American companies who will be paid to perform the following services:
1. Process applications. Crank levers, assign ID numbers. Issue papers.
2. Maintain a national database of all immigrants in order to track and monitor their successful acclimation, including photos and fingerprints. This sounds as if I want to “criminalize” them when in reality, these people are at great risk for “victimization.” And if they did come here to engage in criminal activity, we’ve at least got an eye on them.
3. Provide employment and entrepreneurial support services. The goal is to help find them all jobs or start new businesses, paying taxes. The company would act as a national employment agency and marketing firm, identifying markets for the new immigrants that are more likely to have demand for a new Mexican restaurant, building or construction company, artisan skills, etc.
4. Provide language instruction and culture assimilation classes. The goal is to ease their transition into our American society (and to lessen opportunity for conflict to occur). This will also hopefully take some burden off the education system, which has been forced to deal with these problems alone in the past. I would also include business classes. There is so much these people should be taught and right now, they’re left on their own to figure things out.
By providing this improved Right Path, the legal immigrants will have a better understanding of how things work in our society (through formal instruction received) and a better relationship with “government” and therefore trust in law enforcement. The crimes committed and suffered by those engaged in both sides of the illegal immigration are simply unacceptable in a civilized society.
When two distinct groups of people come together, a transfer occurs…a transfer of knowledge, customs, behaviors, etc. A meshing, I guess is how one would describe it. I’m fine with eating Mexican food (it happens to be my favorite food). I’m fine with learning a little Spanish for fun, actually it’s interesting. I am also fascinated in many of the games, religious activities, family traditions that have been described to me by friends. I AM NOT FINE with an attitude that condones corruption, violence, drugs, rape, torture, and slavery as an accepted part of life. I don’t want it brought here and becoming part of the fabric of our society, as is happening right now.
To restate: 1. Eliminate the uncontrolled, coyote-driven, wide-open, free-for-all ILLEGAL AND INCORRECT PATH. 2. Fix the CORRECT PATH improving the processing speed, chances for success, and safety for an at-risk people. A successful transition means more people paying taxes, not receiving social services yet helping to pay for other public services they use such as education. The current situation amplifies the natural conflict, undermining positive experiences for all.
Congress has ignored this problem for 20 years at least – until the current point in time…when the crisis is marked by the emotion of an angry citizenry on one side who are overtaxed to provide free services to those here by illegal means and the desperation of a downtrodden people on the other side who will make deals with the devil and pray they live through it. I’m afraid the situation has become so full of rhetoric and dug-in stances that the subject cannot even be discussed reasonably.
But we must discuss it. I haven’t even mentioned the obvious national security issue inherent. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry terrorist can simply walk across our borders and wreak havoc. Meanwhile, we’ve focused on increased procedures at airports. Does that really make sense, to be so vigilant in one area while leaving another avenue wide-open? No, plugging up those porous borders is Job One, for so many reasons. All coyotes shot on sight. That’s a career choice that needs to become synonymous with sure death in my book.
Some want to drag possible “civil rights” violations into the discussion. This seems odd to me when our entire legal policy of search and seizure is already a careful balance between maintaining a civil society and respecting individuals’ rights. I have no problem placing my trust in trained law enforcement personnel to make the right call whether probable cause exists to further inquire for papers. I already trust them right now, every day. Driving a white van is probable cause in my book. Seriously, these people work this area and this situation daily – they know what to look for. I would like to emphasize that when I commit a violation in my car and am stopped, I am asked to produce my papers. I keep them on me every time I leave the house. I am happy to produce them because I am NOT a drug mule or human trafficker. I am happy to produce them because I want the real drug mules and human traffickers caught. I want order in my society, not rampant crime.
Also, we obviously cannot allow EVERY person who wants to immigrate to our country, do so. We cannot absorb the numbers, economically…but we can make a system that works much better. And maybe, in the meantime, Mexico can work on improving itself. I mean, what is that country’s dang problem anyway.
I have the strength to say NO to continued illegal immigration, I have the strength to ignore name-calling by others who think I am hatin’ on the Mexicans or bartering our civil rights away, and I definitely have the strength to protect the illegal immigrant from himself. Staying in Mexico until the Correct Path can serve him is preferable to death, whether he thinks so or not.
http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-08-12/news/seized-inside-the-brutal-world-of-america-s-kidnapping-capital/1/
My ideas: There needs to be a very clear Right Path (Legal Immigration) and Wrong Path (Illegal Immigration) for these people. We need to station troops or WHATEVER it takes to completely shut down the borders, thus eliminating the Wrong Path. Nobody gets through anywhere. I don’t want to hear whining about racism and stopping people with brown skin or white skin. I want every VAN type of vehicle, whether it’s painted white or brown, stopped and searched, if it will save lives! And I believe it will. I don’t care who is driving the van. (Actually, the article mentions the use of white drivers to deter suspicion.)
Then we focus on improving efficiency of the Right Path. People waiting 20 years for approved status is obviously not acceptable.
I have ideas how to improve this efficiency. Obviously, government can’t be trusted to do it correctly. It creates systems that take 20 years to deal with an application. We need to take whatever money is spent on this process now and give it to private American companies who will be paid to perform the following services:
1. Process applications. Crank levers, assign ID numbers. Issue papers.
2. Maintain a national database of all immigrants in order to track and monitor their successful acclimation, including photos and fingerprints. This sounds as if I want to “criminalize” them when in reality, these people are at great risk for “victimization.” And if they did come here to engage in criminal activity, we’ve at least got an eye on them.
3. Provide employment and entrepreneurial support services. The goal is to help find them all jobs or start new businesses, paying taxes. The company would act as a national employment agency and marketing firm, identifying markets for the new immigrants that are more likely to have demand for a new Mexican restaurant, building or construction company, artisan skills, etc.
4. Provide language instruction and culture assimilation classes. The goal is to ease their transition into our American society (and to lessen opportunity for conflict to occur). This will also hopefully take some burden off the education system, which has been forced to deal with these problems alone in the past. I would also include business classes. There is so much these people should be taught and right now, they’re left on their own to figure things out.
By providing this improved Right Path, the legal immigrants will have a better understanding of how things work in our society (through formal instruction received) and a better relationship with “government” and therefore trust in law enforcement. The crimes committed and suffered by those engaged in both sides of the illegal immigration are simply unacceptable in a civilized society.
When two distinct groups of people come together, a transfer occurs…a transfer of knowledge, customs, behaviors, etc. A meshing, I guess is how one would describe it. I’m fine with eating Mexican food (it happens to be my favorite food). I’m fine with learning a little Spanish for fun, actually it’s interesting. I am also fascinated in many of the games, religious activities, family traditions that have been described to me by friends. I AM NOT FINE with an attitude that condones corruption, violence, drugs, rape, torture, and slavery as an accepted part of life. I don’t want it brought here and becoming part of the fabric of our society, as is happening right now.
To restate: 1. Eliminate the uncontrolled, coyote-driven, wide-open, free-for-all ILLEGAL AND INCORRECT PATH. 2. Fix the CORRECT PATH improving the processing speed, chances for success, and safety for an at-risk people. A successful transition means more people paying taxes, not receiving social services yet helping to pay for other public services they use such as education. The current situation amplifies the natural conflict, undermining positive experiences for all.
Congress has ignored this problem for 20 years at least – until the current point in time…when the crisis is marked by the emotion of an angry citizenry on one side who are overtaxed to provide free services to those here by illegal means and the desperation of a downtrodden people on the other side who will make deals with the devil and pray they live through it. I’m afraid the situation has become so full of rhetoric and dug-in stances that the subject cannot even be discussed reasonably.
But we must discuss it. I haven’t even mentioned the obvious national security issue inherent. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry terrorist can simply walk across our borders and wreak havoc. Meanwhile, we’ve focused on increased procedures at airports. Does that really make sense, to be so vigilant in one area while leaving another avenue wide-open? No, plugging up those porous borders is Job One, for so many reasons. All coyotes shot on sight. That’s a career choice that needs to become synonymous with sure death in my book.
Some want to drag possible “civil rights” violations into the discussion. This seems odd to me when our entire legal policy of search and seizure is already a careful balance between maintaining a civil society and respecting individuals’ rights. I have no problem placing my trust in trained law enforcement personnel to make the right call whether probable cause exists to further inquire for papers. I already trust them right now, every day. Driving a white van is probable cause in my book. Seriously, these people work this area and this situation daily – they know what to look for. I would like to emphasize that when I commit a violation in my car and am stopped, I am asked to produce my papers. I keep them on me every time I leave the house. I am happy to produce them because I am NOT a drug mule or human trafficker. I am happy to produce them because I want the real drug mules and human traffickers caught. I want order in my society, not rampant crime.
Also, we obviously cannot allow EVERY person who wants to immigrate to our country, do so. We cannot absorb the numbers, economically…but we can make a system that works much better. And maybe, in the meantime, Mexico can work on improving itself. I mean, what is that country’s dang problem anyway.
I have the strength to say NO to continued illegal immigration, I have the strength to ignore name-calling by others who think I am hatin’ on the Mexicans or bartering our civil rights away, and I definitely have the strength to protect the illegal immigrant from himself. Staying in Mexico until the Correct Path can serve him is preferable to death, whether he thinks so or not.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
New Ways of Thinking
The June 2010 issue of the Mensa Bulletin came in the mail yesterday, which is a real pleasure for me. Lately, the magazine’s issues revolve around a theme or question posed to the membership i.e. how would you solve the nation’s education problem.
The result is usually a wide assortment of varying opinions, with the problem viewed from scientific, economic, humanitarian, social, political, or practical perspectives. There can even be some solution involving crazy math analysis thrown in, as well. And on the rare occasion, someone with actual first-hand experience will respond!
Regardless, the discussion never fails to open my eyes in some new regard.
This month’s question (How many people can we optimally support, and should we even shoot for that number?) attracted some fascinating responses – three of which I’d like to share.
The first had to do with OIL. The responder argues that the Earth’s 2010 population of 7 billion has been made possible by harnessing cheap and abundant energy – OIL. In only 150 years, the population has increased by a factor of 3 due to increased food and transportation capabilities. Well, I’ve certainly never looked at oil in such a positive light before. Yeah, we’re talking about companies like BP. But, here’s the kicker: IT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED. And people can only be supported by the resources available.
Stoopid American Thots: Consider all the GOOD and all the BAD oil has accomplished, and realize for 7 billion people, there’s no going backward – only forward. Sobering, indeed. I’m seeing pictures in my head – starving babies, people killing over food, water, ammo, meds – and realizing that’s happening now in some parts of the world. (Maybe even here?)
As the richest country in the world (or most in debt), we can’t seem to get resources moved to the needy areas fast enough. And in the long run, should we? It only seems to boost the population in an area that can’t sustain itself without help.
The second fascinating magazine response deals with this very idea of SOCIALISM and thus economics. From a strictly textbook economics perspective, we tend to REWARD people FOR procreating, the more money the more they produce. “Society” fills the void because we can’t let the people of Mogadishu starve, for example. However, that doomsday scenario in Mogadishu is its population trying to establish the correct equilibrium with its available resources. Someone with an empty belly is more apt to develop and use birth control and stop adding to the population burden on resources. Or be dead.
I couldn’t help but smile wryly at the third magazine response of note: From a standpoint of the health of the planet, the optimal number of humans is zero. Yes. So, before we point the finger of blame at greedy, scum-sucking companies like BP, let’s consider our own greedy, scum-sucking human nature. Maybe, we’re going to have to let some people die in the world, some acts of socialistic humanitarianism slide by, in order to make more “ethical” decisions for others and the planet? Remember: resources support population and resources are not endless. Resources involve huge impact on the earth.
Let’s revisit that idea of our not being able to move resources to areas of need fast enough…what if they COME HERE to get the resources. Now, we’ve moved to the emotional, hot topic of immigration into the U.S.
And let’s ask the hard questions of ourselves. Many of the world’s 7 billion don’t have the wherewithal to come here, many do, and how many can our existing resources support? Yes, I’m talking about socialized healthcare, food, shelter. The strain on our socialized education system has reached the point that it is failing for MOST of the students and thus society as a whole. (And again, we’re so eager to point the finger at teachers, policy, this party, that party, merely details in the mechanism of the system.) At what point, do we shut the door?
Racism, TEA party demonstrations, crime – all are just symptoms of the much bigger REAL problem which is RESOURCE STRAIN.
We don’t expect our politicians to grasp the big picture. They are to deal with the symptoms we can all see and feel, handle those details in the system, push this cog, pull that lever harder, move the grease around. (No, not that lever, that’s the lever important to me!) And maybe this is why real problems never get solved.
Yeah, I'd just go golfing, too.
The result is usually a wide assortment of varying opinions, with the problem viewed from scientific, economic, humanitarian, social, political, or practical perspectives. There can even be some solution involving crazy math analysis thrown in, as well. And on the rare occasion, someone with actual first-hand experience will respond!
Regardless, the discussion never fails to open my eyes in some new regard.
This month’s question (How many people can we optimally support, and should we even shoot for that number?) attracted some fascinating responses – three of which I’d like to share.
The first had to do with OIL. The responder argues that the Earth’s 2010 population of 7 billion has been made possible by harnessing cheap and abundant energy – OIL. In only 150 years, the population has increased by a factor of 3 due to increased food and transportation capabilities. Well, I’ve certainly never looked at oil in such a positive light before. Yeah, we’re talking about companies like BP. But, here’s the kicker: IT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED. And people can only be supported by the resources available.
Stoopid American Thots: Consider all the GOOD and all the BAD oil has accomplished, and realize for 7 billion people, there’s no going backward – only forward. Sobering, indeed. I’m seeing pictures in my head – starving babies, people killing over food, water, ammo, meds – and realizing that’s happening now in some parts of the world. (Maybe even here?)
As the richest country in the world (or most in debt), we can’t seem to get resources moved to the needy areas fast enough. And in the long run, should we? It only seems to boost the population in an area that can’t sustain itself without help.
The second fascinating magazine response deals with this very idea of SOCIALISM and thus economics. From a strictly textbook economics perspective, we tend to REWARD people FOR procreating, the more money the more they produce. “Society” fills the void because we can’t let the people of Mogadishu starve, for example. However, that doomsday scenario in Mogadishu is its population trying to establish the correct equilibrium with its available resources. Someone with an empty belly is more apt to develop and use birth control and stop adding to the population burden on resources. Or be dead.
I couldn’t help but smile wryly at the third magazine response of note: From a standpoint of the health of the planet, the optimal number of humans is zero. Yes. So, before we point the finger of blame at greedy, scum-sucking companies like BP, let’s consider our own greedy, scum-sucking human nature. Maybe, we’re going to have to let some people die in the world, some acts of socialistic humanitarianism slide by, in order to make more “ethical” decisions for others and the planet? Remember: resources support population and resources are not endless. Resources involve huge impact on the earth.
Let’s revisit that idea of our not being able to move resources to areas of need fast enough…what if they COME HERE to get the resources. Now, we’ve moved to the emotional, hot topic of immigration into the U.S.
And let’s ask the hard questions of ourselves. Many of the world’s 7 billion don’t have the wherewithal to come here, many do, and how many can our existing resources support? Yes, I’m talking about socialized healthcare, food, shelter. The strain on our socialized education system has reached the point that it is failing for MOST of the students and thus society as a whole. (And again, we’re so eager to point the finger at teachers, policy, this party, that party, merely details in the mechanism of the system.) At what point, do we shut the door?
Racism, TEA party demonstrations, crime – all are just symptoms of the much bigger REAL problem which is RESOURCE STRAIN.
We don’t expect our politicians to grasp the big picture. They are to deal with the symptoms we can all see and feel, handle those details in the system, push this cog, pull that lever harder, move the grease around. (No, not that lever, that’s the lever important to me!) And maybe this is why real problems never get solved.
Yeah, I'd just go golfing, too.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Politics of Pedi’s
My 67-year-old mother and I had our monthly pedicure this morning! I can’t explain why I love doing this so much. Imagine 12 pedicure chairs in a row with pedicurists working over the clients’ feet. The place is packed, women wait for an open chair. Both patrons and workers range in age, from young and playful to elderly and wise. It’s fascinating to me how language is really no barrier at all.
It is a “woman’s place,” the talk is about children and husbands and looking and feeling beautiful. Call me a sexist and a racist and whatever – don’t care. It just feels right. It is the 2010 version of the beauty shop in “Steel Magnolias.” They recognize us and tease my mother about always choosing plain pale pink polish for her toes while I opt for red glitter, zebra stripes and flowers. Smiles pass between the women. Do men have such a place – I mean, do they bond at the auto parts store?
So, in this place where things are Right in the Universe, in stark contrast to most of the rest of the world, I noticed a stack of political brochures at the toe polish drying station. The shop was endorsing Cindy Truong running for District Judge. Cindy, brought from Viet Nam at age 11, could not speak English at first. She graduated Valedictorian seven years later from Mustang High. While working at a convenience store, she earned a bachelor’s in Economics in three years and a juris doctorate in another three. She’s been an assistant DA the last 10 years, and several area fraternal police orders are supporting her.
I loved the text of her brochure. “My last name is not Smith or Jones, but I am from here. I am an Oklahoman.” And on her website, she credits the injustices she witnessed as a child in Viet Nam as the fuel for her life. “Instead of wallowing in sorrow, I made myself strong.”
Now that, folks, is the American Dream. I can’t wait to cast my vote for her.
I included a few pics of Cindy and her son, her gorgeous husband, and some of her crew walking/ running the Red Bud Classic.
It is a “woman’s place,” the talk is about children and husbands and looking and feeling beautiful. Call me a sexist and a racist and whatever – don’t care. It just feels right. It is the 2010 version of the beauty shop in “Steel Magnolias.” They recognize us and tease my mother about always choosing plain pale pink polish for her toes while I opt for red glitter, zebra stripes and flowers. Smiles pass between the women. Do men have such a place – I mean, do they bond at the auto parts store?
So, in this place where things are Right in the Universe, in stark contrast to most of the rest of the world, I noticed a stack of political brochures at the toe polish drying station. The shop was endorsing Cindy Truong running for District Judge. Cindy, brought from Viet Nam at age 11, could not speak English at first. She graduated Valedictorian seven years later from Mustang High. While working at a convenience store, she earned a bachelor’s in Economics in three years and a juris doctorate in another three. She’s been an assistant DA the last 10 years, and several area fraternal police orders are supporting her.
I loved the text of her brochure. “My last name is not Smith or Jones, but I am from here. I am an Oklahoman.” And on her website, she credits the injustices she witnessed as a child in Viet Nam as the fuel for her life. “Instead of wallowing in sorrow, I made myself strong.”
Now that, folks, is the American Dream. I can’t wait to cast my vote for her.
I included a few pics of Cindy and her son, her gorgeous husband, and some of her crew walking/ running the Red Bud Classic.
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