I am proud to say that I am an American. My ancestors left Germany in 1758 and set sail to this big new inviting world. When they got here, they entered legally. No one in my family ever called themselves German-Americans, they were just proud to be American. Theirs is a proud legacy from participating in the American Revolution when in Virginia, to being a Texas Ranger when settling in Texas. They were and are legal immigrants that melded into the ways and customs practiced here and became Americans.
This country has had an orderly system in place to welcome immigrants since the first immigration law was enacted in 1790. Immigrants have been welcomed to our country since that time, if they came in legally. There are many ways to legally enter this country. Some ways to gain entrance can be accomplished by temporary work permits, visas to visit and tour, as a refugee or as a person or family wanting to start a new life in this country and entering with proper documentation.
We now have a serious problem with illegal immigration, largely coming across our southern border with Mexico. All of these immigrants are not from Mexico but rather from all of Central America. Some people from other countries and continents work their way into Mexico and find a means to enter the United States. Our leadership has ignored this situation or only given lip service to it when pressured to discuss it. The illegal immigrant situation is creating a severe load and challenge to our economy.
The most obvious problem is radical Islamist terrorists. With literally thousands seeking entrance to the U.S., and we having no way to vet them or know who or what they are, we don’t need them or want them. Not only does the economic impact hurt, we give up our safety and security. Instead of coming here, why don’t the able bodied men stay in their country and fight for it?
Immigrants cross the border and take jobs from able bodied citizens. It is not a situation of doing jobs our citizens won’t do. If these immigrants were not here people would be happy to fill these needs. Pay for these jobs may be low, however if we lessen the supply of workers, pay rates will rise due to demand. This is part of the free market. Unemployed people will be happy to find work and will perform better because of the common language we share and being able to understand the directives given for the work.
Another way our economy is affected is through welfare. These same immigrants, that contribute nothing, or at best very little, can bleed the system by abuse of medical services, welfare, and food stamps as an example. Not all immigrants can be categorized in this manner, but the large majority does qualify. Let them enter legally and most Americans will welcome them and help them assimilate into our culture.
We need immigration reform now. Since 1790 there have been 41 immigration acts written and approved by Congress. This is one more piece of evidence that the five thousand years of combined experience in Washington D.C. has no idea of reality. The only way to change the situation we now have is by electing new representation and demanding they take action.
Research any issue that is important to you. Research them one at a time. Know and understand your own feelings of these issues then find a candidate that most closely aligns with you. Actively campaign for the candidate of your choice. Educate others about what you have found regarding candidates.
The last thing you as a proud American must do is register to vote. If you have relocated recently, even within the same city, you register again. Know your local polling places and let others know that may be unaware of where theirs are. Then find your way to the polling site, enter the building, get your ballot, go to the voting booth and cast an intelligent, informed and educated vote.
Jack's Blog 