Boiling beneath the surface

One of the biggest issues that both sides left untouched in 2004 was immigration, specifically illegal immigration. Undocumented workers, as they are termed, have evoked a massive debate and tension in our society, especially in states where Hispanics are growing in numbers and political power. Bush’s immigration reform policy was shelved because it was moving his xenophobic bloc against him and wasn’t moving Hispanics towards him enough. Kerry couldn’t tell which way the wind was blowing.

In the Old Confederacy, Hispanics are moving in to take scare jobs, underbidding poor whites and adding fuel to the fire. CNN’s Lou Dobbs tried to make immigration a big subject with his specials and guests on his show. “Lou Dobbs Tonight” was originally a stock market program, but now has become his venue for venting his xenophobic, anti-trade, anti-corporate corruption views.

Meanwhile, the news media has prominently covered developments in Arizona where there are “citizens brigades” of state-blessed vigilantes [that’s what President Bush called them] patrolling the border line to spot and catch people who sneak in.

“"We can ask them if they'll wait," explained Magnotto, 61, in a red, white and blue windbreaker, "but we can't touch them."” Of course, this is all in theory, they haven’t spotted anyone yet.

Part of this latest bout of anti-immigrate feelings in the US is driven by the tough economic conditions in certain parts of the US, part by subconscious racism, part by rule of law/fairness sticklers. But think about this: “the estimated seven million or so illegal immigrant workers in the United States are now providing the system with a subsidy of as much as $7 billion a year.”—New York Times

These people are seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and are willing to pay taxes they might never benefit from, face discrimination, learn a new language, and still send money home. There needs to be a solution to this problem one that all sides can agree upon. I don’t like people sneaking across the border, but it is going to happen no matter how many old white people with binoculars are out there in the desert.

Ex-Texas Governor George W. Bush was supposed to have the solution in hand. He was good friends with Mexican President Vicente Fox from their days as neighboring international governors. Why hasn’t a guest worker program worked? Why can’t we find a way for these seven million people to get legal and join the rest of American society as full-fledged members?