A solution for illegal immigration
Let me tell you up front: I'm a philosophical libertarian, so I don't really believe in national borders. Practically, I don't think they work or are fool-proof, particularly given the fools that run our national government. Ethically, I don't see where anyone has moral authority to forcibly stop or intimidate anyone else from exercising their natural rights to trade or travel to seek better ways of life. Economically, there's absolutely no justification for preventing the flow of goods, services and people, where not only participants but also the whole of society gains from exchange.
Alas, I support the general idea of amnesty to allow so-called "illegals" to remain in the United States without criminal sanctions. I have never had a problem with their coming to the United States, so I certainly don't believe in their imprisonment or deportation. I have no problem with them living in my neighborhood either, just so long as they are honest, nonviolent and self-sufficient, which they seem to be. Illegals are proof that our government's border security doesn't work and that as individuals we have no moral or economic justification to interfere with them, unless as individuals they do us wrong.
Having said this, I have only one problem with illegals, and a big one, for which our national discussion of a national border is universally irrelevant. The problem is not an economic one nor a moral one nor one of practicality. The problem is strictly a political one, and one which calls strictly for an easy political solution.
The political solution for illegals is this: give them amnesty from prosecution and deportation, but do not give them easy access to free government services, such as welfare, or to the right to vote via fast-tracking their citizenship. Living and working within the fifty states is one thing. Getting free government hand-outs and having the privilege to vote, and thus the power to steal other people's rights and property for self-interests, are altogether different. Perhaps if we can first prevent illegals from voting to convert other people's interests, then maybe we can eventually stop ourselves from the same insidious practice.
This political solution doesn't call for a stronger border, but instead a stronger will to prevent illegals from acquiring welfare and the privilege to vote. If they want such benefits, they need to first come here legally and qualify. Otherwise, let them remain citizens of their nations of origin, with natural rights to seek better lives here, but without any political privileges.
Alas, I support the general idea of amnesty to allow so-called "illegals" to remain in the United States without criminal sanctions. I have never had a problem with their coming to the United States, so I certainly don't believe in their imprisonment or deportation. I have no problem with them living in my neighborhood either, just so long as they are honest, nonviolent and self-sufficient, which they seem to be. Illegals are proof that our government's border security doesn't work and that as individuals we have no moral or economic justification to interfere with them, unless as individuals they do us wrong.
Having said this, I have only one problem with illegals, and a big one, for which our national discussion of a national border is universally irrelevant. The problem is not an economic one nor a moral one nor one of practicality. The problem is strictly a political one, and one which calls strictly for an easy political solution.
The political solution for illegals is this: give them amnesty from prosecution and deportation, but do not give them easy access to free government services, such as welfare, or to the right to vote via fast-tracking their citizenship. Living and working within the fifty states is one thing. Getting free government hand-outs and having the privilege to vote, and thus the power to steal other people's rights and property for self-interests, are altogether different. Perhaps if we can first prevent illegals from voting to convert other people's interests, then maybe we can eventually stop ourselves from the same insidious practice.
This political solution doesn't call for a stronger border, but instead a stronger will to prevent illegals from acquiring welfare and the privilege to vote. If they want such benefits, they need to first come here legally and qualify. Otherwise, let them remain citizens of their nations of origin, with natural rights to seek better lives here, but without any political privileges.
posted by Kurt St. Angelo at 6:25 AM
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