Yesterday I listed several areas in which every person in this country will benefit when there is immigration reform which would legalize the millions of people living here illegally; the military, Social Security, our economy, our future economy, education and national security. That column only talked about our economy, this one will continue with the others, starting with Social Security and our military.
We all know the undocumented people living here have broken the law by coming in illegally or overstaying their visa and yet, something has to be done to get them registered and legalized. A majority of our citizens say we should find a way to solve this problem. This country needs them.
One reason we need these undocumented workers to become legal residents is to keep Social Security funded. Fifty or 60 years ago, when Social Security was new, it took 20 workers to keep enough tax money flowing in to keep a retired person on Social Security. Within 25 years, at the rate we are going now, there will only be two workers paying money in to cover each retiree. And in 25 years all the baby boomers will be in that group of retirees and the next generation will be getting ready to retire. Add the fact that people are living much longer than before and it’s easy to see why we need more young workers now. We also need a steady supply of young workers coming into the system. The young immigrant workers who are already here may be the answer to the Social Security funding problems of the future.
The reason most of these people came here was for work, because there is no work in their home countries that will support their families. If these millions of workers were suddenly sent back to their countries, it would cripple those economies along with hurting ours. They would be sent to the end of very long unemployment lines and never have any hope of finding work. The money they had been sending home to their families would stop and this would hurt the families and their economy.
When those young people have no job and no hope of getting one, they get angry and are perfect recruits for gangs and the political parties that are becoming increasingly anti-American. Civil unrest and economic hardship in other countries are dangerous for the residents of this country. The radical governments of some Latin American countries would love to have more people in their forces and against us. Especially since they are on our southern border and could manage to get into our country.
Some gangs that are powerful in Latin American countries have started gangs in this country, mostly involved in drugs. This is a small minority of the undocumented immigrants who are here, but it is enough to worry about, especially when they recruit members from groups who are alienated from the mainstream.
Young legal and illegal immigrants in our country, who are unable to assimilate, often because they lack English proficiency, are recruited into these gangs. These teens drop out of school, can't get jobs and are isolated from the mainstream. Gangs provide a good way to join a circle of "friends" and be accepted by others. The ones without strong families are looking for acceptance and join gangs to belong to a group.
If teens are given legal status and are encouraged to get a good education or train for better jobs, they would be very unlikely to join gangs. When they have a stake in the country and don’t have to worry constantly about being caught and deported, the majority would be law abiding members of their communities. Many would continue their education and go to college and many would join the military.
There are almost 30,000 non citizens now on active duty in the U.S. military. These service members are defending a country in which they don't have the most important of our rights, voting for the people who could send them to war.
The waiting period for citizenship for immigrants in the military has been decreased from 5 years to 3 years. In 2004, President Bush signed an order allowing active duty immigrants serving at least one year during conflict to be eligible to apply for citizenship in even less time, without many of the usual requirements. And they don't have to return home before applying.
Many immigrants place a high value on military training and the additional education available through the military. When citizenship requirements are eased for those who join the military, even more immigrants than usual sign up.
If the undocumented immigrants here now were given legal status, there would be a huge additional pool of recruits and there will be a high number who will enlist for these new citizenship benefits. This would add sufficient numbers to the regular military and possibly enable the National Guard to remain at home.
The CIA's World Factbook lists 30 countries with a negative population growth and 13 of them are our NATO allies. The U.S. population growth rate is about even, which means our military will stay about the same size. But we must make sure our population increases to a higher rate so we can keep our military numbers sufficient and make up for some of our allies who have decreasing numbers.
Another benefit to having all these additional recruits is that the pay incentives that are necessary now to reach the quotas may be able to be decreased or dropped entirely. This would save money for the government and the money saved could be used to keep equipment repaired and replaced on schedule.
These additional legal residents would help Social Security and our military and be an invaluable part of our society.
Yesterday I listed several areas we will all benefit when there is immigration reform which would legalize the millions of people living here illegally; the military, Social Security, our economy, our future economy, education and national security. The first column talked about our economy, this one was about Social Security and the military. The next one will continue with the others.
www.howtoliveandthrive.com
Donna Poisl is the author of "How to Live & Thrive in the U.S. / Como Vivir y Prosperar en Estados Unidos" and president of Live & Thrive Press. She wrote this reference guide to help immigrants learn our system and succeed in this country. Contact Donna at http://www.howtoliveandthrive.com or Immigrants in USA Blog at http://immigrantsinusa.blogspot.com
The most needed reform in America is campaign finance reform. Corporate greed has created the big surge in illegal immigration and has also done much to implement a system of corruption and a terrible example of distribution of wealth in Mexico.
Our congress needs to throw out its ridiculous plan of immigration reform and instead work on repealing NAFTA and exert tremendous pressure on the Mexican government to put its real elected president in power and start looking after the interests of its people instead of how to recreate slavery for the benefit of multinational corporations. If free trade and globalization continue unchecked the top 2 to 3 percent will have 98 percent of the worlds wealth.
Americans should protest vehemently against our government for its failure to secure our borders and enforce our laws and Mexicans desperately need to revolt against their terribly oppressive and corrupt government. Its time Mexicans stopped running away from their homeland because of corporate induced oppression. They need to stand and fight for whats theirs. Its their country and they need to take it back. Americas greedy corporations and our political alliances with Mexico are much to blame for their increased poverty.
Over 200 years ago we Americans had to fight for our independence from oppressive Britain. Mexican citizens need to fight for their freedom. I don't think bloodshed is the answer, what needs to happen is a change in American government policies. Electing politicians who will represent the interests of the average citizen is the answer. Right now the only thing most politicians represent is corporate interests. If nobody decides to stand up against the increasing corporate control of our government America will become just like Mexico. Then were will everyone flee Canada ?
They tried comprehensive immigration reform in 1986 and look what happened what you have to remember is that American citizens are supposed decide our countries immigration policy not some group of wealthy elites who will never have to compete for jobs or live next door to illegal immigrants. The decision makers who strut their multiculturalism live in gated communities and send their kids to private schools. But hey they like the savings they get on lawn care and maid service.
by
Gary Denson (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 214 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 9:50:51 AM
Last time I checked, Mexico sided with Hitler during WW2. They refused to sell America oil and gas during the war. They also had a strong communist party in Mexico. Trosky was killed in Mexico because he recieved sanctuary from the Russians. Mexico's next rebellion is being dumped in America. Adolf Hitler came to power, because he created fear about the foreigner being in Germany. He used the illegal and legal emmigates to impose martial law. This government for the rich can shove 13 million illegals down our throats; but, they can not make this country accept them; if they violate the will of the american people. The will of the people is against the congress on this matter. It will be a betrayel of the public trust. A day of judgement will come when the people will get tired of being told to eat cake; by a ungratefull government who takes this nation for granted. They can not see the writing on the wall. That is why we are in Iraq-$600 billion dollars stong and going! and going!and going! until our money is all gone!
by
matt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 16 comments)
on Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 11:40:48 AM
It is time to discuss the issue without dealing with the race-tainted pleas of special interest groups. The fact is that open borders create many scenraios that are not sustainable for the future. We need to discuss issues. We need to negotiate with Mexico on behalf of our municipalities to begin to cover the expenses they cost local governments as a result of their residing in these communities. The costs of education, health care, social services, city services, utilities, etc. are currently paid for by local health care providers and others and place an undue hardship on them. As such it is worth while to discuss so new options so that hospitals are not closed down or emergency rooms are not closed. The government of Mexico is the recognized representative of the Mexican people and as such direct negotiations concerning this issue should include compensation to assist American cities for addition expenses as a result of the migration and the establishment of residency in a manner not consistent with the laws of the United States.
It is also worth mentioning that growth management and resource planning becomes much more difficult and the delivery systems often deteriorate as a result. In some colonias, water is not piped in, sewage is non-existent and health care is tenuous at best. No one deserves to be marginalized in this way. There has been created an artificial market that seeks to circumvent public health and building standards that impact on residents and future operating expenses available for all. It is not acceptable to empower those who exploit the vulnerability of those who migrate to the US. We need to maintain the same appropriate standards for all and not leave some to the mercy of lower wages and worse living standards.
by
Martin Zehr (38 articles, 2 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 77 comments)
on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 1:09:55 PM
For 16 years congress has abrogated their responsiblity by ignoring 14 million illegals, who have violated American law. Congress is a co-conspirator in their legislative dereliction of duty. Their deliberate ignorance of the law borderlines on economic treason. They have deliberatly stabbed every American in the back. Congress wants absolution for their sins without repenting for their transgressions. Their febble attempts to decieve american by their massive propoganda programs, to make americans feel guilty, as if its their fault, if they object to congress's solutions, of a modified amnesty that lets them off the hook. Unless Congress earns the respect of this nations by making an attempt to deport illegals, all will be lost. Failure is guaranteed. Without accountablity their is no rule of law! Without the fear of the law, the law fails; there is no rule of law. Congress must apologize to the american people first. They have to deport a million people to earn our trust before this problem can be dealt with or resolved. My family goes back 4 generations. My grandfather paid into social security. My father paid into social security. I paid into the social security program. I deeply resent congress being generous with our tax dollars and our social security fund. I dont care, if the illegal has been working in this country for 40 years, everyone who becomes a citizens their benefits starts from the beginning they become a legal resident or citizen. All those years of being illegal is a fine, they should have to pay to become a citizens. When Al Capone was put in jail, they got him on tax evasion. This is the exact same thing. They can go to jail to pay their debit to society, or they can forfeit the money they illegally earned. All my family has paid into the system over the years theirs have not! Having said this, let me finish by saying that illegal immigration is union busting. They are using desperate people to destroy labor. American Businessmen went to Germany because they hated FDR. He would not use the military to destroy unions. The Republicans and america's elite called FDR a communist. They even made plans to overthrow FDR by trying to recruit General Butler, USMC, to lead the american legion, paid for by JP Morgan, into a coup de ta, because FDR gave protection to labor, provided Social Security, and unemployment benefits for the working man. They took needed capital out of america to create a anti-union and anti-labor monster in Adolf Hitler in Germany, who promised them a "Right to Work" state; by destroying the union. The Republican party is carring on this tradition with their immoral, unamerican, treasonist act in Bush's guest workers program and the H-1 visa's program; of which all, is based on anti-union behavior by big business. I mean no direspect to the President but he is a "rat" president. His father helped to fire the Air traffic controllers. They are going to dump all of the mexican illegals without funding the public schools system and the public welfare/healthcare system. Why do they care. They are not going to let them go to their private schools that are well funded. President Hoover, FDR, and "Ike" deported millions of illegals from the great depression until now. Todays, congressman are on the payrole of wall street. Democracy is dead! It was murdered on the way to Washington. What we have is a criminal conspiracy to fabricate the illusion to decieve the american people into believing they have a voice in their government. Congress is a proxy government paid for by the wealthy, who use the bureaucracy to beat the american people into a stalemate and into submisson until they get their way.
by
matt (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 16 comments)
on Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 10:56:37 AM
4 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
