|
Correct,
Arthur. This will divide the ‘business’ interests from the ‘authoritarian’
interests in both parties if it’s not handled as an economics issue first and
foremost. If the influx
of migra-dollars are indeed competing with tourism as Mexico’s second largest
source of income, and low wage workers are so essential to the US economy, then
policy should be directed at those issues. From what I’ve
read, the economic studies are mixed whether illegals drive wages down for
other workers. Certainly, NAFTA and CAFTA need to be amended; the economic
issues that Bush intended to address before 9/11 have been largely ignored
since then. But these
sociocultural wars over showing some muscle at the border and speaking English
are phoney means to drive partisans to the support of a sinking GOP party, as
well as psychological substitutes for other failures. It’s more of that “daddy
party” mentality on display, venting of frustration and anxiety. For example, in
a companion piece of opportunism, the NRA (National Rifle Association) has
targeted mayors to pledge they will not confiscate homeowner’s guns in the
event of a national/regional crisis. They cite the chaos of Katrina’s aftermath
in New Orleans. This feeds on
paranoid tendencies instead of furthering rational debate. We do not need more
legislation born of fear and knee jerk reactionism, as we did post 9/11 with
the Patriot Act, ‘freedom fries’ and chest-thumping tribalism. karen |
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