There is an argument that you hear that starts with the idea that we Americans must protect ourselves from the citizens of the world. But the argument has no historical basis and no reason in the present. Our society is the most multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-biased in the world. But those of us that do not want to open our doors to immigrants who want nothing more than a shot at the Ameican dream, are slapping our forefathers in the face. Two generations ago, a story was told about a great American ambassador of good will. Will Rogers grew up in the mid-west at the turn of the century (going into the 20th). As he became a world figure his base of interaction grew. However, as his name recognition grewin high society he found a certain snobbery based upon how long a family had been in the States. The winner was always the person who could say my ancestors came here on the Mayflower. Then one day, disgusted by the societal blessings from such a statement, he determined that it was time to answer his friends. “Well my ancestors, met them here, when the Mayflower landed.” While he was a comic of his era, he did talk about the life and times in which he lived, and this quip certainly showed he did not want to be treated differently because of his heritage.

America is built on that foundation. It may have taken 250 years and we may not even be there yet, but we are a very mixed society where no member should fee superior to anyother because of how long their family has been in this country.

There is a new debate occuring presently about all the illegal aliens presently living and working in the States. In that debate there is no solution that will work for everyone. It seems however, that we must break the problem down into parts so that it can be workable in attempting to achieve resolution.

First, there are hundreds of thousands of undocumented aliens here in the USA. But they assist in our economy and in creating a new heritage for the next generation. I, for one, do not believe that there is a benefit for making them leave, with all the attendant costs to ship persons and their belongings to a home country. I am sure every American would be gald for the Country to pay for a vacation to some country. So I do not believe the government should pay to ship people home. I do believe that we should create a guest worker program for those who can supply proof that they have been here for at least a year. Then we should charge for the permit to be a guest worker. Not with paperwork that will require an attorney to review it for the individual, but a simple questionnaire with the underding that with a slight bit of knowledge of English that a worker can fill in the application. Now we have the workers assisting the treasury, at the outset that would create revenue for varoius governmental units.

Next let us deal with the children of an undocumented alien. If they were born here, they should be a citizen, without more. Parents of those children should be allowed to stay in the US to support their children and live together as a family unit. Once again a fee for the parent to receive the parental exemption would be appropriate and would yield further funds to our treasury.

Permitted guests would be then placed upon a probation list. They would have to pay taxes, and (since they live in the cash economy) a minimum tax for each person each year. Any involvements with felonies would terminate their right to stay. Civil actions against a member of that group would be monitored so that if there is a judgment against him or her, that the judgment will either be paid, or their status will be subject to termination.

As to future emigrees…We meet them at the border, with the understanding that if one successfully and properly comes into the US, with the proper paperwork in place, that each such person’s name shall be placed within a computer system. The permit shall require the messages to the government about any changes in contact information.

Security will be safeguarded by the information recieved, which can be stored and used for other governmental purposes. The work force will be supplemented by those harworking individuals willing to labor at amounts less than minimum wage, and with this plan, they have to share the money in the government, like all other workers.

This permit plan is not amnesty. I would not want to allow for those who entered illegally to just get all rights afforded to them. This guest permit plan would allow substantial period of time that each such person can stay in America, but not a a resident alien, or a citizen, but as a permitted worker contributing fees and tax payments to support our government. Social services would be provided from those refvenues and such services would be given to permitted guests as well as citizens so that all those in need will be taken care of.

We are America, the land of opportunity. We must give opportunity to all. And we must lead the rest of the world with our evolved message that we are all here sharing this wonderful planet and its resources. Afterall, aren’t members of humankind brothers who must learn to share with each other. If we could start believing that and teaching that, our world would be a safer and better place to live.