Clarifying Immigration

Thomas Sowell, writing at the Post Chronicle, says this: Immigration has joined the long list of subjects on which it is taboo to talk sense in plain English. At the heart of much confusion about immigration is the notion that we "need" immigrants -- legal or illegal -- to do work that Americans won't do. What we "need" depends on what it costs and what we are willing to pay. [...] The points he makes in this article are correct, and it is not my intention to dispute them. However, he only touches on the reason that I feel that we need immigrants. Speaking about his views, he states that "[...] This is not rocket science." Yes, this IS rocket science! And medical, biological, computer, mathmetical, manufacturing, and educational science. And art and literature and even politics. Every aspect of American society has benefited from the influx of immigrants. An immigrant, taking a low paying job cleaning a research lab, could well have children or grandchildren running that same lab. The United States benefits greatly from immigrants. Their presence creates competition that drives us all forward. Immigration, done correctly, does not produce isolated subcultures that are harmful to American society; it produces more Americans. Mr. Sowell correctly calls for profiling to filter out those who, historically, are not able or willing to adapt into that society. Our very survival is at stake. [...] Self-preservation used to be called the first law of nature. But today self-preservation has been superseded by a need to preserve the prevailing rhetoric and visions. Immigration is just one of the things we can no longer discuss rationally as a result. Mere social burdens created by immigrants on welfare, or taxing the medical infrastructure, are today overshadowed by infiltrators that wish harm to the United States. The profiling should include likely terrorists. However, if you don't know who is here, or who is on the way, how can you possibly profile and monitor immigrants? You can't! Border control is a must. Whether accomplished with physical barriers, armed patrols, or a Border Death Ray, we MUST be able to control border crossings. A number of Senators and Congressmen have introduced legislation to address this situation. That is all well and good, and might force our government to direct resources to these areas. It seems to me that existing laws and regulations, if properly implemented and enforced, would be adequate. Close the borders, enforce current laws, encourage immigration, and support and demand assimilation of those immigrants. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. * * * * * * * * * * * (On a side note here, completely off topic... I was looking for a .wav file to attach to the 'Resistance is futile' above, and ran across Wil Wheaton's blog. It was interesting, check it out.) Technorati : Border, Border Control, Illegal Immigration, Immigration, Profiling, Racial Profiling, Thomas Sowell, United States