How Both Parties Have Failed America

The leaders of both of the major political parties in Washington have a vested interest in not addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time--immigration reform. The Democrats have long favored immigration as a means of expanding their voting base. The Republicans have long favored immigration, albeit not publicly, as a means of getting cheap labor. Now that it has been clearly stated what everybody has known all along but refused to admit, it is easy to see why this problem is not easily fixed.

For the past 26 years or so the shifting sands of the political landscape have not favored Democrats. They have held the White House only eight of those 26 years, and their majorities in the houses of Congress were either shortlived or non-existent during the same period of time. Those who peer into future political shifts have long noted that the Democrats' main voting base is shrinking and that the percentage of the populace that resonates with the Party's message is down significantly from 60s. The one thing that the Democrats have had in their favor is the nation's immigration policy, which has tended to be a haphazard endeavor with gaps so deep and broad that terrorists could enter and leave the country practically under the radar screen. And with the majority of those who immigrate being from impoverished nations, the Democrats could find a willing audience among the millions who have come to our shores over the past 20 years.

The Republicans' record is no better. In fact, one can make the case that it is a worse record than the Democrats because the Republicans have been the ones putting the issue on center stage year after year, and yet doing nothing. The reason is not far to find. Cheap labor. Employers of illegal immigrants can save millions of dollars per year by employing people who will work in the hot sun for much less than minimum wage and who do not demand 'fringe benefits.' In the housing sector alone, it is estimated that the average cost of a home in southeastern Texas, for example, would rise by at least $20,000 were it not illegals. In other words, give an American a job, pay him right, treat him right, and your costs will soar. Despite the rhetoric of some within the Party, the Republicans have the dubious record of talking a good game but doing very little to control the flow of illegals to this country. The current President and the U.S. Congress have plenty of blame to share on this issue.

Perhaps we should stop for a moment and ask ourselves some sobering questions as a society--Is this ultimately good for America? If so, who does it benefit mostly? If not, then what are the damaging effects of continuing with business as usual in our immigration policy?

Should we expect people who immigrate here to obey the law? If not, then why should we expect ANY citizen to obey the law, ever? What makes an immigrant so special that this society can wink and nod at illegal activity associated with them, while affording law-abiding citizens who have been here all along no such break?

At what point does the practice of employing cheap labor outside the bounds of U.S. law become unAmerican? Is it not more important for the long-term stability of the nation that we have a law-abiding populace rather than providing them a temporary break from costs by employing law-breakers?

And finally, to the Democrats who see votes in all this, how many years does it take in selling your soul to expediency for you to cease to be a viable political party working for the good of America?

The answers to these questions will require much soul-searching and a gut-wrenching honesty that one is not likely to see in politics. But we must consider these issues and amend our policies accordingly. Time is running out.