If I did have Monday's wash hung out today it would be cold and soggy and drooping under a wet Spring snow---kind of like my vegetable plants and Spring flowers...I'll hope and pray for the hardiness and survival of my endangered flora and be very grateful for my clothes dryer on a day like today.
I have been thinking about immigration. I know that is currently a tumultuous topic so I will tread carefully. (However, I won't try and walk on egg shells because I don't know that I am very good at it--but I will at least try and be careful) I will also preface my remarks with an admission that I am pretty simple-minded when it comes to matters of a political nature and I do tend to be led more by my feelings than by my thoughts when it comes to topics of controversy.
I am trying to grasp just how to feel and what to think about immigration and to decide which side of the debate I am on. I do know that I have read some newspaper articles that have not set well with me. These articles tell of the unfair treatment of illegal immigrants, how upset the President of Mexico is with the United States for how they are dealing with people from his country illegally crossing our borders, and how angry people in the United States are with Arizona for employing stronger measures to secure their borders and ensure the safety of their citizens. There is something not right with these perspectives. Like I said, they do not set well with me---kind of like a type of food that many people say is good and try to get you eat but it tastes a little off, it's a bit hard to swallow and doesn't digest smoothly...all leading me to wonder just how good it is...
I find that analogies help me to better process information so here goes...
The United States of America is my home. My state of Utah, my city of Riverton, my community, my neighborhood, the street where I live, and my very hearth and home all act simultaneously as important arteries that pump the lifeblood from the heart of America which is freedom and veins that keep the freedom circulating.
Many homes in America, including my own, have locks on their doors and fences around their outlying property. Is this because we are selfish and don't want to share? No. It is to protect our families and to defend what we have worked hard to obtain. It doesn't mean we lack generosity or compassion it just means we are trying to be wise stewards. It has been evidenced time and time again in the past that The United States of America is the country that provides not only opportunity but protection and aid. It is the country that takes care of its own and reaches out to others. But the reason it has been such a strong and prosperous country that is strong enough to be a valuable ally is because it has been a wise and prudent country both in matters of defense and diplomacy.
I would not take kindly to people sneaking in my back door or breaking in through a basement window to help themselves to my family's food or clothing or bank accounts and how would I feel about these people complaining about the quality of what they were taking or what would I think if they claimed to be victims of my anger or unfair treatment of them? But what if these people didn't have all of the resources and opportunities that I do? Then I would be much more willing to help them if they came to the front door. I would be sad, frightened, and greatly surprised if my neighbors accused me of being mean if I didn't continue to let people break into my house and help themselves to my belongings. It would be much more sane and productive if my neighbors worked with me on coming up with a solution to the problem.
I have no problem with America welcoming people from other countries but if those people decide to move in then they need to abide by the house rules. They need to learn the language, obey the laws, and do what they can to contribute to the country's greatness. I expect no less of my children in my home and America should expect no less from it's citizens. This is the difference between adopting a country as your own and kidnapping a country and holding it for ransom. When boundaries are blurred, rules are only weakly enforced and consequences are inappropriate for the choices made or non-existent then confusion contaminates cooperation and chaos rules. When this is the climate in a home then children are spoiled, do not learn self-sufficiency or responsibility for their actions, and are very likely to rebel and destroy the peace. When this is the climate of a country then its citizens become at best apathetic and at worst tyrannical and the country is well on its way to crumbling or falling under the rule of those who only care about their own freedom.
I think the President of Mexico should be concentrating on how to strengthen and improve his country instead of pilfering a right to complain about unfair treatment of his people who are fleeing his country. That seems similar to neglectful parents who sue their neighbor because their unsupervised children get injured after sneaking into the neighbor's yard. Arizona's new law as I understand it could lead to inconvenience or unfair bias for legal immigrants but as my husband pointed out...even meter maids can be biased against whoever...all laws can be abused if we allow them to be---look at the laws about entering our country. We always hope to have sensible people enforcing our laws and should do all we can to make that happen. I have heard that this law would actually in some ways prevent racial profiling. Arizona has had a lot of problems with drug trafficking and kidnappings. I think they are just trying harder to defend their home by exercising reasonable and warranted caution. It is sad that so many of their fellow Americans fail to see this and think that it is somehow offensive to ask people to identify themselves.
I do think there are companies and individuals in the United States who have taken advantage of illegal immigrants. I think many of us have benefited in some way by illegal immigrants being overworked and underpaid. Because of this I think the United States bears a responsibility to find some sensible way to help those illegal immigrants who want to become law-abiding contributing citizens of the United States of America and who have already made positive contributions. I think that many involved in the immigration debate are not thinking clearly. I think many who are in favor of relaxing our border control and complete amnesty are confusing generosity with vulnerability and that is endangering our country. There are some on the other side of the issue who are so angry with illegal immigrants that their anger can turn into consuming hatred and rampant prejudice that threatens brotherly love that can foster an atmosphere of peace and respect. I also think that many people in politics are more concerned with popularity and personal agendas than they are with the principles on which America was founded and what will truly be best for our country. The voice of the people is all too often drowned out by the self-serving mantras shouted by the media. Common sense used to be highly valued by Americans but now it seems there are those who consider it to be overrated. Perhaps we all need to tread more carefully and not only be careful where we step but in what direction our chosen path will lead us. God Bless America---please. What do you think?
Well the view outside my window is much more cheering than it was earlier. The snow has melted, the sun is out, and it looks as if most of our plants will survive. Being hung out to dry can be positive when it comes to wash or wet plants...
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