Why have them if we don't use them?

     OK. I'm going to try really hard to be sensible. I'm really going to make an effort to avoid the rage of being in what (once again) seems to be the correct minority opinion opposing a very loud and irrational majority one.     Right now, in my country and yours, a fleet of buses is travelling across the country under the deceptive banner "Freedom Ride". They are crossing the country to converge on New York and DC to protest "antiquated" immigration laws and to advocate amnesty for all illegal aliens in the United States.     As I'm sure you have guessed, I have a definite opinion in this matter. But in case you are not on my side of this before I start, I thought it would be educational to see who is formally in support of this project (see www.workersfreedomride.com/endorsement.asp):

National Council of La Raza -This group feels that the Southwest United States rightfully belongs to Mexico, and intend to make sure it is restored to its rightful place.

What looks to be the entire elected body of the state of California -'nuff said

Communist Party, USA -Again, speaks for itself

The Green Party of Rhode Island -Socialism for all!

The Green Party of the US

Susan Sarandon

Martin Sheen

Socialist Party of Oregon

Socialist Party of USA

Center for Marxist Education

Communist Party of MD/Northeast Club

Young Democratic Socialists     Do I still have to say anything? Don't get me wrong. This is a nation of immigrants, and there are millions of people on very long waiting lists to get into this country legally. To those people, regardless of their national origin, I sincerely hope this country opens its arms and accepts these future productive members of our society. These are people that know what they want and work to get it.     Now, back to these "freedom riders". They believe that the approximately 8-12 million illegal aliens, whose first act in this country by definition was to break our laws, should be granted free amnesty and be granted full-citizenship status. They're tired of working in bad conditions for below minimum pay. They're tired of having to hide from the authorities. They want "forgiveness". OK. Fair enough. I can accept and agree totally to this proposition. You leave, then get on that list to come here legally and all is forgiven. We'll forget the years you spent providing your labor force which deprives our citizens of jobs. Of course you don't get paid what our citizens would get paid, but if you weren't here in the first place, they would be employed, they would be supporting themselves instead of being on our nanny government payroll, and our greedy capitalist employers would be forced to pay them a competitive wage or the work simply would not get done. But its all water under the bridge. Just leave and re-enter legally.     But no. This is not what they want. They want us to ignore the millions on the waiting lists. They want us to disregard completely that they broke our laws. Many of them want us to recognize the "fact" that Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California still belong to Mexico! Will America stand for this?     I am not, as I said, opposed to immigration. I'm even more leanient than many in that I don't even care if people speak English or not. I say let the free market decide those sorts of things. But I draw the line when it comes to our laws. There are many (MANY) of them that I disagree with and would like to see changed, or most frequently, abolished altogehter. But I work within the laws of this country because I live in this country. We have to respect our laws. And yes, we have to recognize the fact that we cannot take in every single person that wants to come here. Our land could support it for a while, but our culture, infrastructure, and economy demands *regulated* growth. To grant amnesty to these people is to proclaim to the world that the lengthy (though not complex) immigration procedures are irrelevant. Just come on over and hide out long enough to get amnesty. All the while you can get a job and send your money to your family so they can eventually bribe someone to illegally import themselves over here as well.     This nation cannot allow this. As mentioned above, the Socialist and Communist parties of this country seem to be in full support. But in addition to these unsavory aspects of our society, the Democratic Party is very nearly 100% behind advocation of this amnesty issue, and the fallacious idea of "rights" for people that arrive here illegally. You want rights? OK how about this: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford and attorney, we'll even foot the bill for you, even if your not legal. And yes, you even have a right to curse up a storm all they way back to wherever you came from.     So, here is what I propose: All of these people are coverging on New York and DC advocating equal rights for illegal aliens. So let's grant them. The first right we will allow them to have is the right to obey our laws. All of them. And the punishment for breaking the law of illegally entering this country is deportation.  I'm happy, they're happy. Everyone's happy. And most importantly, everyone gets their rights.