Editor's Column
by Mike Richeson
Previous Editor's Columns | Send mail to The Voice
Bush's amnesty plan is terrible for the United States
One more step and I was a dead man. Just a 10-yard strip of grass stood between me and the fence. The guards gripped their guns, hoping I would take that one step. They didn't need a reason to kill me; Lord knows they killed for fun most of the time. But killing a disobedient man brought them even more joy.
Snap out of it.
Alex is an immigrant from Russia. He endured the unending stack of paperwork to come to the United States. He has lived here for almost five years, working two jobs to support himself and the wife he left behind. In two more years, she will be able to move here.
Meanwhile, a family south of the border swam across the Rio Grande, hopped a fence, signed up for government assistance and enrolled their kids in school. Not only that, but their children receive a free, quality education in Spanish!
Does this scenario strike anyone else as odd? Why are federal criminals getting benefits while hard-working, legal immigrants spend years trying to build a better life for their families? What a slap in the face.
President Bush's latest plan to give amnesty to the millions of illegal immigrants in the United States is disgraceful. Federal criminals will get "worker permits" to stay in the United States legally. Either Bush is selling out the United States for the Latino vote, or Mexico's President Vicente Fox is a genius.
Think about it. Fox is losing a burden on his country at no cost. If we decide to actually enforce federal immigration laws, we are the big American bullies. Mexico should be thanking its lucky stars for the United States' free pass. Mexico would absolutely implode without support from the United States. If I were a Mexican citizen, I'd keep President Fox in office for life. He's way ahead of many inept American politicians.
Oregon already is facing significant problems because of illegal immigration. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 90,000 illegal immigrants now reside in Oregon--three times the number in 1996. Incarceration of illegals cost Oregon $20 million in 2000. The federal government repaid the state only $8 million. This left a $12 million dollar shortage legal residents had to pay.
Last year, Oregon's department of education budgeted $12 million for English as a Second Language instruction. We should be teaching students English, but we should enforce a time limit as well. Students can now receive Spanish instruction for as long as they want to, forcing the schools to hire extra teachers.
The solution is simple. Students whose parents can actually produce a green card receive two years free instruction on the public dime. After that, they have to pay for it. Many churches and city programs offer free ESL classes anyway. Americans should not be footing the bill for those who refuse to learn English.
The amount of government assistance illegal residents receive is unbelievable. Last year, they cost Oregon alone approximately half a billion dollars.
If the amnesty plan goes through, about 8 million people will immediately be eligible for even more government aid, including Social Security. People who haven't contributed a dime will be reaping the rewards designed for senior citizens who actually deserve it and paid for it.
Have you shopped at Winco? I do, and while I'm paying for my Ramen and pasta with money my wife and I earned, hundreds of others are buying steaks, specialty cheese and desserts. How do they pay? With their trusty Oregon Trail card, of course. Hardworking Americans are paying for the feasts of federal criminals.
Before I get mail saying what a horrible racist I am, let me remind everyone that I'm the product of immigration. I'm only a few generations removed from the German lowlands. But my ancestors immigrated and worked themselves to death to achieve a better life. They didn't sneak across the border and sign up for free food and housing.
What a disgrace Bush's amnesty policy is in light of those who have worked and are still working hard to achieve their own American dream. Now, millions of legal Americans are being forced to finance the lifestyles of federal criminals. This is terrible legislation that may win Bush a second term but is crushing the United States.
Shame on policy that rewards crime. Shame on policy that ignores centuries of sacrifice and toil. And shame on politicians willing to sell the United States' future down the road just to stay in office for another four years.
Previous Editor's Columns | Top Of Page
Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website
© 2004 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.