Correct, Arthur. This will divide the
business interests from the authoritarian interests in both parties if
its not handled as an economics issue first and foremost.
If the influx of migra-dollars are indeed
competing with tourism as Mexicos 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 Ive 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. Its 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 homeowners guns in the event of a
national/regional crisis. They cite the chaos of Katrinas 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
