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July 19, 2007
Compassionate Common Sense on Immigration
In a recent post about the broadening of the evangelical agenda I listed a number of legitimate concerns that have come to new prominence among evangelicals, including climate change, international aid, human rights and compassionate common sense in immigration.
It was that last one that got a response. (I’ve learned through my work with the Evangelical Climate Initiative it is usually climate change that stirs the pot). But immigration is one of the issues where the ideological purity police are prepared to attack if the exact formulation of concern is not expressed.
I cannot believe how badly the politicians and bureaucrats have allowed de facto open immigration to change our nation. I cannot be strong enough in my view that our borders should be the most secure in the world. If we are to continue to be the most generous world citizens (by far), our nation must be economically strong and safe from attack. Those who purposefully look the other way because they believe we owe charity to our poorer neighbors have lost sight of the fact that without strong and secure foundations we will become more vulnerable in every way, and our provision of aid and protection to much of the world will be in jeopardy.
Just do whatever is necessary to stop illegal immigration. Everyone knows it can be done; only some have the will to make it happen,
I do not believe it is reasonable, however, to send every illegal alien home; that is an unworkable solution. We have to recognize that a massive new “trail of tears” to Mexico will not happen and would be a tragedy of monumental proportions.
Yes, I am in favor of some path to permanence, even citizenship, for the illegals in our country. Many should be sent to their home countries because they are a menace to our nation. But most are hardworking, industrious and law-abiding. (I know, being here illegally is not legal; but we are a nation of law-breakers, and we all know it. (Oh, you drive 55?)
We do need to focus on both humanity and nationality. To do so is Christian, and for politicians it is also wise. As Michael Gerson wrote in the Washington Post, nativism will not win elections.
It’s a mess that has no ideal solutions. Seal the borders and keep them that way, or nothing else makes sense. With serious security in place, we can be free to show compassion and common sense.
Posted by Jim at July 19, 2007 10:17 PM
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You said:
"As Michael Gerson wrote in the Washington Post, nativism will not win elections."
And name-calling and condescension will not win this argument. For you and Michael Gerson to assume those who actually believe in respecting and enforcing the law are nativists is an insult and a dismissive tactic. This is exactly the kind of infuriating rhetoric that has overheated this issue. Folks against illegal immigration have painstakingly valid reasons for opposing it. If the elites continue to belittle or ignore those reasons, they are asking for trouble.
As a matter o' fact, some o' us out here in da' sticks got da' smarts real good. We kin actually think fer ourselves. We ain't just good ol' boys who's afraid of furriners.
(That's how the country club set views those it calls nativists)
And Michael Gerson's statement (while he is a Christian) says all you need to know about his position. He is making a political argument. Of course it doesn't make sense for them to alienate a group of lawbreakers that they plan to turn into citizens. My question is: Why are they insistent on rewarding lawbreaking?
You mention that we are all law-breakers. Well, I was pulled over for speeding last fall. I got an expensive ticket. I paid it. I was breaking the law and I knew it. I deserved to get caught and deserved to pay the penalty. Would you not hold an illegal immigrant to the same standard? Are they not to be held accountable and face justice for their illegal acts? Obviously not.
I've got a question for you. If we are now allowed to break this country's laws, what other laws can we break? I'm tired of paying taxes. Maybe I'll just stop. And I would like to drive 75-80 everywhere I go. Is that okay? Will your compassion toward lawbreaking extend to those laws as well? If not, why not? Who gets to decide which laws we can break and which we can't break? Or do I have to renounce my citizenship, leave the country, and sneak back in to be worthy of this "compassionate common sense"?
You say you want to secure the borders. Giving amnesty to the millions illegally here is absolutely the worst thing you can do, then. You are sending a message to the world (and the millions/billions who want to come here) that they can get "compassionate common sense" if they can just outrun some border guards or get a visa and ignore the expiration date.
You say that you don't want to create a "Trail of Tears". How about the tears of those in America who are unemployed or underemployed because of the presence of illegals? Or those who would like two decent-paying jobs instead of one poor-paying job? Does you compassion extend to them? Does your compassion extend to Americans who can't afford to pay for healthcare because of the burden on the healthcare system levied by illegals? Those costs aren't usually absorbed by the hospitals or doctors, you know. WE pay them. You and I. Does your compassion extend to American kids in schools that are failing because they have to spend so much time and tax dollars educating kids who can barely speak English? Do you have compassion for them?
Below is a good series of stories about the deleterious impacts of illegal immigration from the people who are hurt by this. It's a good read.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19336161/
And I've already told you about my cousin, who was killed by an illegal alien. I know you don't condone the most violent criminal illegal aliens, but what kind of message are you sending to illegals when you reward illegal behavior with a "path to citizenship"? You're encouraging more of it.
Maybe I missed the verse in the Bible stating that it's okay for people to ignore the laws of their land. Was in one of the Gnostic gospels?
Forgiveness is one thing, but amnesty is another. Someone on death row may be sorry for his actions and you may forgive him, but he still must face the punishment for his actions. Or are you in favor of granting pardons to those in prison now? If it's just a matter of forgiveness, aren't all sins (exception of blasphemy) equal in the eyes of God? Why should illegal aliens be forgiven by the state and thieves (or worse) not be forgiven?
"Compassionate common sense" (with a healthy dose of corporate greed) is why we got into this mess. To endorse more of that is a formula for disaster.
Posted by: RightOnPeachtree at July 20, 2007 01:07 PM
A discussion on illegal immigration on another Christian site:
http://www.sharperiron.org/showthread.php?p=95980#post95980
Posted by: RightOnPeachtree at July 31, 2007 09:42 PM