LETTER: Who is Bush really serving?

Everybody in Mexico has a relative here.

Here's what Bobo would do to reform immigration: Aggressively identify the illegals already working here; we have the means.
Fine them; not just a token, but also something that has a reasonable chance of being paid-1K, 2K, 5K, whatever.
Give them a work visa.
Then, tax them at a higher rate-not something punitive necessarily-let's say a 25% or 30% bracket instead of 15%, etc. Make it effective for 5, 7, 10 years, whatever. No exemptions for children. After that time, they could then apply for full legal status (and all that entails) and have the higher tax rate removed. Or go home.
Do the same for those wanting to enter-charge 'em up front; 5K, whatever. They're already paying coyotes about half that to get them in. Then, tax 'em.

The Bobo plan would work-it would slow the outflow of cash to Mexico because of the tax. It would provide revenue to pay for the services they consume, and then some. It would not screw up the economy like a full-scale deportation would. It would let the immigrant learn to drive, buy insurance, get a license, etc. We'd know who they are. The immigrant would not be "rewarded" for being here illegally because of the higher tax, but he could still have a legal working status. That could satisfy both lefties and righties.

Vote for me!

I agree that the means exist to track down the illegals although I disagree there should be any path to citizenship. Every politician who says it's impossible to remove 15-20 million illegals should be removed from office. The "nation of immigrants" theme they keep pounding is out of date when we have a population that now exceeds 300 million. It isn't just Bush who's responsible, it's most of the Congress as well. McCain is speaking to a group named La Raza (the race) pandering for Hispanic votes. Has anyone heard of the Reconquista (reconquest) that this group and others like it such as Aztlan support? Washington politicians have and they not only let them thrive but they pander to them for Hispanic votes.

Peace.

To Bowzer: Removing the politicians from office is a better idea than removing illegals-they both are parasites on the economy, but at least the immigrant knows how to work.
Neither, wish as we may, will ever happen.

So who do you replace the politicians who are in office with? An overwhelming majority of Americans want the flow stopped and the illegals sent back. Look what the media did to Ron Paul who came closest to reflecting the feelings of most Americans on both immigration and the war in Iraq- They crucified him, particularly the self proclaimed 'fair and balanced' network. Meanwhile we are given the hand-picked selection of Larry, Curly and Moe to choose from in November. I tend to agree with comedian George Carlin who called the media the propaganda arm of the Federal Government. They don't report anymore, they set the agenda and try through redundancy to get as many as possible to drink the Kool-Aid. Everytime there is a round-up of illegals the local as well as the national media choose to concentrate on how unfair it is to the children of those rounded up as if it's the fault of the INS rather than blaming the parents who broke the law by being here in the first place. Elect me and there will be some hard choices made but then again rogue Presidents like JFK who slip the leash tend to not finish their term.

First, you insult the Stooges.
Second, regarding the media, they should be embarrassed for prostituting themselves. For my part, I haven't watched a network newscast in probably 10 years; I read mostly print (WSJ, IBD, and the locals mostly for sports), and anyone and anything online the piques my interest. Politics, politicians, and those that report it are largely buffoons and I have little use for any of them. As far as immigration goes, I realize its a hot button. Personally, whether the immigrant, legal or otherwise, goes or stays, only interests me as far as my pocketbook is concerned. And I see economic benefits both for keeping the status quo or deporting them en masse.
That's why I say tax them, if not into submission, but close to it to minimize the incentive to come or stay here. If they choose to stay, make 'em pay. Money drives everything.
Either way, I don't see much changing in my lifetime. There's too much money and too many votes at stake.