Naturally Los Angeles is working hard to stay at the forefront of the insanity surrounding the debate about illegal immigration.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pro-immigration activists say a national boycott and marches planned for May 1 will flood America's streets with millions of Latinos to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants and shake the ground under Congress as it debates reform. ..."There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it weighs the issue. ...
In California on Thursday, the state senate passed a resolution recognizing "The Great American Boycott of 2006," saying it would educate the United States about the contributions made by immigrants. The measure passed 24-13 along party lines with dissenting Republicans arguing that it sanctioned lawbreaking and encouraged children to skip school.
Teachers' unions in major cities have said children should not be punished for walking out of class. Los Angeles school officials said principals had been told that they should allow students to leave but walk with them to help keep order.
Mark my words, nothing good can come from this. It's hard to see how "closing down" cities will gain sympathy from anyone... it's more like an act of terror and intimidation. I sincerely hope that these massive demonstrations don't turn violent, but I'm not optimistic.
Oh. My. Goodness.
It seems to me that there are two major causes driving the immigration policy debate: terrorists and freeloaders. And then are two minor causes: wage differences and social differences.
Terrorists are at the top of the list because the average voter knows that uncontrolled borders could let in any sort of person, including a suicide bomber, for example. Nearly everyone wants to keep terrorists out.
Freeloaders are next because they generally lack integrity. They want to live above their means, and are willing to degrade society with illegal activity to make it happen. The worst of them form gangs. Americans seem split on whether or not proven freeloaders should be deported.
The minor causes, the economic and social differences, are real, but they are not central. I think most Americans are willing to accept some loss of wages, and can accept some level of diversity.
Are these not the causes? Do they not lead to obvious policies?
First, don't let terrorists in. That implies physical barriers like walls, reliable identification, background checks ...
If a person can work here for a few years without going on welfare or running up a criminal record, then that person is probably not a freeloader. That implies a waiting period...
If we had effective border controls, then we could debate how many people to admit each year. When wages drop or social conflicts arise, the number could be reduced. And when there is an economic boon and people are getting along, the number could be increased...
Snopes has an article on the subject.. and a purported counter-protest.
I suspect that this will backfire after all of the progress that has been made.
I'm afraid I'm going contra on this one. I think the rallies will be peaceful like last time. I think it will continue to move people towards the presidents plan (version "B"). I think we will have somethink like that plan passed into law by May 31.
Go back to Africa is what they are telling my people. Im American Citizen!!!
I'm spending money tomorrow like a drunken sailor on shore leave, and if Los Angeles hasn't descended into total chaos by four p.m., I'm going to work.