Border Reality

Bush's plans about immigration reform has hysterically been called 'amnesty' here in Southern California, which it definitely is not.

I'll admit to a partial change of heart about this issue. Initially, I was incredibly angry about the notion of encouraging further illegal immigration to our region, which it seemed like what the President was advocating. We're literally overrun with illegals as it is now. And Bush's wants to 'open the flood gates?' I couldn't get my mind around his policy pronouncements on the subject and I was flabergasted he would make such a suggestion.

What I failed to take into account was the idea that, look, these people are coming to the United States anyway, regardless of what we do. So, in the wake of 9/11, it would be prudent to create a new way to keep track of the people that come here, work here, stay here and apply for citizenship here. We could catalog all these people and by doing that we would be improving the system, making America safer.

I think I just verbalized Bush's plan better than he ever has. I support the above part of his plan.

But wait. Illegals are bleeding us dry. They don't pay taxes and yet they get full medical care if they go to the hospital. Their kids go to our schools. They drive but don't have insurance, so if I get into a car accident, I'm stuck with a dinged up car without any recourse.

I've got answers for just about everything but I don't have any magical ideas about how to solve these problems.

More later...