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 As a proud, and legal immigrant
to the United States, I deeply appreciate the "land of the free"
and the contributions that immigrants have made to shape the beautiful
society in which we live. But those who would forgive "illegal"
immigration, and open the door to everyone that knocks would unwittingly
thwart these accomplishments and declare open season on our own liberties.
Apologists for illegal behavior, bleeding heart liberals, and unethical
politicians only interested in keeping some voting groups happy are more than
eager to sell out our interests. Kevin Johnson's proposal to open up the
borders would do precisely the same thing.
In proposing a scheme of "comprehensive immigration reform" on
LegalNews.TV, Dean Johnson admits that his open door policy is
"radical." In my humble opinion, it is similarly nonsensical.
Ignoring the threat to our nation and economy posed by illegal immigrants,
Dean Johnson's radical ideas are presented as an altruistic alternative to
the selfish focus on American interests which underlie efforts to secure our
borders and our society. Rather than wait for others to invade the United States,
the good professor would cut out the middleman by having us do the dirty work
to ourselves.
Masked as a humanitarian issue, Dean Johnson's sympathies appear to lie
entirely outside of U.S.
borders. Unfortunately, Dean Johnson's self-described "radical"
ideas are gaining ground. Taking a seemingly higher moral ground to support
the benevolent rescue of illegal immigrants, Dean Johnson and others would
ignore the economic devastation wrought by opening our borders to those who
would take American jobs for themselves. Instead, we are told that
"these poor people come across the border to do work that no one else
will do," seemingly providing a benefit to our national economy.
Untrue. Businesses and society will pay fair wages to Americans who will do
any honorable job if they are paid fair wages. Opening our borders
to those who work below market undercuts the market for American jobs, while
increasing the burden on taxpayers who must pay even more to provide social
services and other support for the invaders that Dean Johnson would invite. If
you don’t believe me, read a little on what is happening in California and states in that area.
By letting Mexico
and other nations export their societal problems to the United States,
Dean Johnson would certainly improve conditions abroad. Rather than give our
neighbors any incentive to improve their economies, get a grip on crime and
make the rest of the world a better place to live, Dean Johnson seems to
believe that the only way to save the world is to invite them in as
roommates.
Even if Dean Johnson's plan were somehow adopted into law, his open border
plan to save the world is nonetheless doomed by geography. Despite his
proposal to abolish the per country caps that limit immigration annually from
any one nation, his kind invitation to cross the border would only help those
Mexican citizens able to do so. His hospitality will do little to save
billions overseas who suffer under the rule of oppressive dictatorial
regimes, or billions of African men, women and children suffering from
malnutrition.
Even if Dean Johnson could ship a few billion of these underprivileged lives
to American soil, the great American melting pot would boil over as an
overcrowded nation of three billion residents would no longer resemble the
land of opportunity. As we welcome billions of tired, poor and huddled
masses yearning to breathe free, we will become a tired, poor and massively
overpopulated nation with little room to breathe and few resources to meet
their needs. Even the late John Lennon might have trouble imagining all
the people suddenly thrust into a single society as Dean Johnson opens the
floodgates to an illusory brand of freedom.
When stripped of its altruistic spin, his radical ideas show disrespect for
the governing potential of other nations and a total disregard for the
interests of our own. While we should do all we can to help our neighbors,
building up our borders may be the only effective means of ensuring that they
clean up their own backyards.
Admittedly, it takes longer to build up our borders than to tear them down.
And it may take even longer before Mexican President Vicente Fox and other
third world leaders take true responsibility for improving the lot of their
own citizens.
Dean Johnson's radical reform may help to cleanse the liberal guilt of living
in the world's greatest society. His benevolence would even be laudable if
not for the fact that it would eliminate the greatness of our society by
selling out American interests and focusing on others alone -- establishing America as
the great savior and other nations as a lost cause.
My radical ideas lack the philanthropic spin of Dean Johnson's. But, in the
long run, electric fences, armed border guards, and a commitment to our own
national security may be the most benevolent moves of all.
A global media and technology pioneer, Imran Anwar is a nationally-syndicated journalist who
provides frequent commentary on international political issues for CNN, Fox
News, GEO.TV and Imran.com.
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