12 Million Reasons genre: Six Degrees of Speculation
Numerous protests are being conducted throughout the country today by opponents of immigration reform measures recently passed by the House of Representatives. While it is doubtful that the House version could ever gain approval in the Senate, the issue remains contentious, complicated, and controversial. More coverage at Reuters here, Crooks and Liars here, and Firedoglake here.
As with most complex political issues, little more than rhetoric is available for the average citizen to evaluate in order to fully understand the consequences of the numerous proposals being discussed. Immigration brings together a never before seen constellation that stands to change much of what Americans have come to understand about our economy, our political affiliations, corporate interests, globalization, trade agreements, the influence of unions, and many other ramifications yet to be identified or calculated.
Some choose to look to our past in hopes of finding a palatable position. As a country of immigrants, this approach seeks to simplify the issue with a more of the same mentality...we're all immigrants so we should increase the numbers for legal immigration in order to avoid the growing undocumented population. The unanswered questions are how to determine that number and does that number simply increase the number of documented immigrants while failing to stem the tide of undocumented entrants. Supply and demand are seemingly the crux of this model.
At the other end of the spectrum are those who prefer a zero tolerance approach. In this construct, those here illegally are returned to their country of origin and the borders are secured such that the influx of illegal’s can be halted. The dialogue of this group generally focuses on the legal considerations and they frame the issue as a question of fairness to those who play by the rules in seeking to immigrate to America. Simply stated, they want enforcement...such that we implement and apply the existing laws before changing them.
In the middle are numerous plans with varying details. Most include some provision to integrate the existing illegal entrants into a program that moves them progressively towards citizenship. The recent compromise bill that initially appeared headed towards approval in the Senate included a system that focused on the number of years each illegal immigrant has been in the country...with those here the longest receiving a more favorable treatment containing fewer benchmarks and obstacles between the immigrant and citizenship.
Characteristically, the issue is polarized by intense passion on both extremes. This passionate posturing makes it increasingly difficult to carve out a compromise. Many politicians have taken positions based on their perceived constituency sentiment that allows them little room for flexibility. Regional economic considerations coupled with the potential impact to certain corporate and business segments create an incoherent patchwork of conflicting considerations. Navigating this difficult terrain is likely to foster more political stalemate than innovative compromise.
While Washington plays politics, Americans cannot ignore the fact that there are currently an estimated 12,000,000 reasons to resolve this issue. It's time for politicians to set aside the rhetoric and complete the daunting task of a thorough evaluation that will provide the necessary, albeit frightening, calculations and considerations. Despite voices to the contrary, these 12,000,000 people are here to stay. Unless we get about the business of accepting this reality and moving forward with a coherent and tangible policy, we will soon find ourselves with an additional 12,000,000 reasons to solve this problem.
Daniel DiRito | April 10, 2006 | 3:39 PM
Comments
1 On April 11, 2006 at 2:20 PM, Alexander Steffler wrote —
It's nice to see that there do exist people with the level-headed understanding that this isn't a clear-cut debate by any means. As you've pointed out, history, economics, culture, and politics are all converging, and each of those has something to say about the "immigration debate".
2 On April 11, 2006 at 3:00 PM, Daniel wrote —
Alexander,
Thank you for your observation. All too often we humans look for the simple thirty second soundbite solutions. Ironically, if people were honest with themselves, they would realize through experience, that societal problems are no less complex than our own personal struggles. Some true leadership is needed to extinguish this troubling tendency.
I hope to hear more of your thoughts.
3 On April 20, 2006 at 11:24 PM, MLS Mexico wrote —
I love this blog! Come visit my site, it's the only free and open MLS in all of Mexico. Ajijic real estate, chapala real estate, mexico city real estate, you name it, it's a free MLS. MLS Mexico
4 On August 22, 2008 at 6:37 AM, Leadership Ideas wrote —
A quote from Tony Blair: 'The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes." When our politicians are wooing our votes by promising everything it's important to note what true leaders are made of.
Trackback Pings
© Copyright 2024
Post a comment