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Michael Spead
Arlington, VA
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Michael commented on the article |
Based on what you are saying - that "the law has almost no relevence whatsoever to someone's right to live, or to support their family."
So you don't think someone should go to jail for theft or murder, as long as they killed an innocent person or stole from them to support their family.
Well, I am sure that anyone who ever breaks a crime in order to get paid could argue they are doing it to support their family.
You will have to do better than that. -
Michael commented on the article |
Actually, you are way off base - it isn't everyone's problem. It is the problem of that person, their family and anyone who chooses to help them. But as the statistics below will demonstrate, most people do not think it should be their problem (and I agree). People are free to make choices about who they want to help and how.
It is not the place of the United States government (through the United States taxpayer) to provide clothing, shelter and support for people worldwide. However, it is the responsibility of the United States government to take care of its citizens.
As CNNs 2008 poll showed, the vast majority of United States citizens felt that keeping illegals in this country was too expensive (63%). Further, the vast majority of United State citizens felt that the rate of entry for legal immigrants should either stay at the same level (39%) or should be reduced (39%).
That being said, I think you are entitled to your opinion, but it is definitely your own and not that of the people of the United States. -
Michael commented on the article |
Alan, when you can back up any of your arguments with facts and not just by pulling on heartstrings, let me know.
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Michael commented on the article |
Arguing that someone who lived here legally but was treated as a second class citizen is different then arguing that someone who snuck into this country illegally should be sent home to where they are a legal resident. Your argument is completely unrelated and an apples to oranges debate that doesn't apply in the current context of this discussion.
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Michael commented on the article |
I think the tricky thing with this issue (as with most social issues) is that many of you have your hearts in the right places and want to help everyone. Unfortunately, we also need to consider the negative impacts and butterfly effects.
There are times when the costs of doing that right thing far exceed the benefits. But when making a broad policy decision, you really have to consider if helping 1 man and hurting 1000 is worth it.
If the world were an ideal place, we wouldn't have any issues to face. But we can't open the floodgates at a time when the country and the world are facing an economic crisis. We just don't have the resources right now. Maybe in ten years, we will be prosperous again and this will be an issue that we can afford to address. For now, the country can hardly afford the citizens it has, let alone taking in new ones. -
Michael commented on the article |
Ok, so admittedly that language was a little broad, but I didn't write that statement in the 1960s. I wrote it today, try to keep your arguments consistent with the times. Rosa Parks could have sat wherever she wanted to this morning when I wrote that comment.
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Michael commented on the article |
No offense, but that is not my problem or the problem of the millions of people that exist here legally.
It is obvious that the costs I posted explain the reasons why it isn't so easy to "save everyone from everything", like most of the people here are arguing. -
Michael commented on the article |
Consider the costs to American workers.
If every illegal works for $5 an hour, the annual cost to United States citizens (and the United State economy since most of the money is sent elsewhere) is approximately $200 BILLION.
Further, since it is estimated that the United States spends about $4K per year per capita on healthcare alone, that also equals $80 BILLION. If you factor in education and other services, it is roughly $200 BILLION.
So basically, the 4K that each immigrant would spend to not break the law would provide U.S. citizens (and the economy) with an additional $200 BILLION or more per year and save this coutry approximately $200 BILLION in expenses per year.
I say make them legally enter and pony up $4K each. -
Michael commented on the article |
The first action of any illegal immigrant on United States soil is an illegal act. We should not reward any person who breaks the law for any reason.
Further, once here, the typical illegal immigrants do not speak English, have questionable skill sets, live in poverty and off the grid. This has the potential to damage our existing culture, communities and safety.
Finally, if made into full citizens, illegal immigrants would pose an immediate drain on state and federal funds at a time when the country cannot afford to pay everyone's way.
I know it is easy to say protect and shelter everyone, but almost all pro-immigration arguments pull on the heart strings without having any rational approach. -
Michael commented on the article |A great way to implement this would be to set up a subsidy fund to incent companies to build renewable energy infrastructure in the United States. A good way to fund that program would be to cut the tax breaks for Big Oil and use those taxes for the program.
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