Originally posted 07/06/07

I have made some observations these last couple of weeks on the collapse of the “comprehensive immigration reform” bill in the Senate. First, it is obvious that the members of the Senate consider themselves above us- their constituents.

Senators are up for election every six years, are very rich, they are well funded during elections, and are difficult to beat as incumbents. They have more similar attributes to the House of Lords in Great Britian than to the House of Representatives.

Leading up to the bill killing cloture vote, Senators were complaining that they were receiving phone calls and emails from their constituents demanding their elected representatives do not pass the bill.

Yes, our elected Senators were actually complaining that citizens in a Republic contacted them- their voice in government. I guess we are to be seen, and to donate, but not to be heard.

Not only did Senators trample all over their citizens in a rush to pass legislation, they trampled all over Senate rules and process to create bad legislation. Amendments were thrown into the bill that had not gone through the committee and hearing process.

There were outrageous provisions including a 24 hour time limit for background checks for any immigrant wanting entry to the United States. Imagine that, 24 hours, of which only eight constitute a working day, to check the background of someone from a foreign country who may or may not have reliable records.

Not only did the Senators abandon their rules and the citizens of their states, but they also abandoned their real constituents: the unions and corporations and PACs who ensure they receive millions of dollars of contributions. The unions were against more cheap labor coming into the country undercutting their members and jobs. Some corporations were opposed to some measures that would make it more difficult for cheap unskilled labor to enter, and other corporations were opposed to educated skilled workers (particularly in high-tech) having to stand well back in the line behind cheap unskilled labor before they could enter.

It is often said you can tell good legislation because it ticks off people from all sides—meaning there is something for everyone in the legislation. This was a piece of truly bad legislation moving forward only to serve the political interests of those supporting it, and the sell offs they had made to their friends and supporters.

Thankfully enough Democratic Senators bailed out on Majority Leader Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy to dump this bill. In the end, killing the bill helped the Democrats because the press labeled it a failure for President Bush who was pushing for “comprehensive reform”.

And that is why it failed: comprehensive reform. Yet again, elected officials took an issue and tacked as much crap as they could into the legislation so in the end you had so much pork, and so much pay-off to supporters, and so much social engineering, that it tried to become something for everyone and in the end did nothing. Federal, state, local, all levels of government succumb to the same disease: trying to solve every problem with one two thousand page document.

Why can’t we have simple reform? A bill that addresses one aspect of an issue and is put through without amendments, covenants, exceptions, etc. but asks “yes or no.”

Why? Because the issues are presented without solutions, without vision and without well debated proposals resulting in simply crafted results. Issues are instead supported or derided depending on who is presenting the solution or legislation. We need reform of our immigration laws, we need reform of our social security system, we need reform of our Medicare and overall health systems. We need debates on issues that provide solutions for the American people to discuss and decide upon rationally. Instead we see “comprehensive reform” packages submitted and failing.

Here is my solution to the immigration issue. Take one vote on the simple question: Do you feel the United States needs to stop illegal immigration to this country?” If yes, then vote on, “Do you feel continued immigration is necessary for the future success of the United States?” If yes, then, “Are you in favor of working to control immigration into the United States?” Simple, direct and now the American people know what our legislators will work on: Controlling immigration into the United States.

Now take one step at a time and do not go to the next step until the previous step is completed:

1) Finish the fence and institute comprehensive security and enforcement of our land, air and sea borders; including massive investments in immigration and customs control in our ports.

2) Amend/repeal the 14th Amendment “anchor baby” clause which invites and attracts illegal immigrants to have their children in the United States so they become U.S. citizens and then eligible as recipients of any and all public benefits.

3) Like the Federal highway funds being tied to state mandated public drinking ages and speed limits, create similar legislation that states will be cut off from Federal funding if their public agencies such as DMVs, law enforcement, courts, schools, etc. do not cooperate with nor enforce Federal immigration laws. No more “don’t ask, don’t tell” on the front lines so to speak.

4) Worker registration cards, or some type of card with magnetic strip verifying social security number, immigration status, etc. If I can get a Visa card in less than a week that has my information on the magnetic strip and I can use it in almost any where in the world that is connected to the internet then we can easily have some type of card for employers and employees.

5) Enforce and punish employers violating immigration laws and hiring illegal immigrants. Make part of their fines include back taxes and contributions to social security and Medicare that would have been paid had law abiding, tax paying U.S. citizens or legal immigrants had held the positions.

7) Give highest priority to immigrants that have proven skills and education that fill needs in identified fields and industries.

8) Somehow tax the billions of dollars being sent by illegal immigrants to Mexico and other countries through telegraphs, wires and money orders.

9) Voter registration and voting requires proof of citizenship and identification, both at registration and every time at the polls—for absentee ballots proof must be given to receive the ballot. Also ballots in English only. The citizenship test is in English, so applicants must know English to be a citizen, therefore they must know English to vote on issues and individuals that impact our future.

10) Once this is in place put intense pressure and incentives on the Mexican government and supply controlled and monitored aid to establish schools, quality health care and businesses throughout the country, especially the rural and semi-rural areas, so that Mexican citizens see a better future in staying home and not having to leave their native soil to come to America. Once productive, enlist Mexico’s assistance in providing similar assistance to other countries in Latin America.

This list would probably take anywhere from five to ten years to enact and enforce. But if done step by step then we can successfully reform our immigration problems, and if followed step by step in a chronological order reform would be comprehensive. Try to do it all at once and we will see any reform legislation fail again and again.

There are some pretty controversial proposals above- some people may agree with some and disagree with others. That is great, that is what we need, some honest debate with various proposals to ensure our borders are under our control not someone else’s.

The estimate is that we have 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and several million more who were born of illegal immigrant mothers and became U.S. citizens. By the time Congress gets out of its own way and actually tackles the problem issue by issue this number will probably double. Quit the rhetoric and politicking and comprehensively engage the problem issue by issue until solved.