The deployment of thousands of national
guards along the Mexican border is not militarization, according to
President George W. Bush but what? The problem with this president is his
constant play with words and expressions. In some cases, one has to do some
hermeneutical dissection in order to comprehend his thoughts and ideas. The
idea of sending the national guards is not the solution to the border problem.
A comprehensive immigration reform, recruitment of more border patrol officers
and fencing of the strategic places (where there is an easy access) are more
effective measures to the problem. I know the fencing could be a little costly
but think about it, compared to what we are spending in Iraq and Afghanistan and the foreign aids
that this country is carrying in her shoulders. I may sound like a Republican
with my conservative thought of foreign and war spending but this country has
to think and fix first her own problems before those of others.
We cannot afford to overwork our national
guards because of the Iran
threat. I am not saying that another war is imminent but Iran’s stupid
and evil President seems crazy as hell with his nuclear ambitions. Now, there
is a clear difference between Iraq
and Iran
and I hope (this time) that our intelligence is “clear and distinct” (quoting
the Cartesian theory of knowledge).
With more than fifty percent of the
respondents in the recent survey expressing dissatisfaction with GOP’s (Grand
Old Party) performance in Congress, I am “crossing my fingers<D>”
for a Democratic take over in November. The result of the midterm election is
very crucial to immigration system if nothing is reached before then. A
Democratic House of Representative will surely hammer a law leading towards
amnesty or lawful employment and citizenship of millions of undocumented
immigrants in this country. While a Republican House will be a nightmare (as it
is now with their legislation last December 2005 making it a felony to stay in
this country without the necessary legal papers).
My
instinct tells me though that before the midterm election, both chambers of
Congress will come to a compromised bill on immigration. The Senate version
will probably prevail (with some amendments to accommodate the House
conservatives) because it is most likely similar to the White House proposal
(except for the fencing provision). The Democrats do not have the luxury to
make some bargaining proposals because of their minority status but at least
they got the “soul<D>” of what their fighting for – a path towards
citizenship. Even if an immigration bill is approved before November, we still
need a Democratic House in order to balance our Congress and slow down the
aggressiveness of the White House. The monopoly of power has just resulted in
an abuse and corruption charges. Power corrupts as is it commonly said.
The outcome of this election could also
be interpreted as a referendum not only on the President’s job performance but also that of his Party. Recently, the
Washington Post has quoted Mr. Bush for downplaying the result of surveys. The
only way to rebut his apocryphal thinking is to send Democrats to Congress. A
democratic win will send a strong message and shake his erroneous mind and
stubborn personality.
After the Iraq war, the House conservatives
are again on their “shoes<D>” to screw up the immigration issue.
Their proposed bill is inhuman and reflects an unchristian attitude. Do we
still have some remnants of Southern white supremacists (of the 1930s and 40s)
in Congress? Republican conservatives in the House argue that terrorists could
use the borders to make their way to the U.S. soil. Hence, making security
as an excuse for their hatred toward the people who mow their lawns and clean
their mansions. With so many publicities about border security, do you think
the terrorists are stupid enough to go through Mexico?
In
a nutshell, my message is for us Filipinos to unite behind a Democratic ticket
this coming election. My white Republican friend has voted for John Kerry
during last’s Presidential election and will likely vote for a Democratic
candidate in Congress this coming election (she is an immigrant lawyer by the
way, I hope you understand why).
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