In Response ...

Meryl's question on Wednesday sparked a doozy of a conversation. And I hate to muddle her blog with what I know are my right of center thinkings when her opinion is often left of center. Out of respect, I'm posting my comment here.

For the background, please see the post and comments HERE.

We are at an impasse because I refuse to continue to debate the issue with people who use the "w" word or speak contemptuously about "those damned Mexicans."

My mother didn't use any of the words referenced and nor would she ever. And the simple fact that the commentor (sarah) "refuse[d] to continue to debate" just proves my mother's point. The commentor did not want to debate the facts because she had already relegated the entire topic as being about racism and ignorance.

As residents in border states, we face the issue of illegal immigration every day. It has real effects on economies, neighborhoods, and schools. We can not allow the country of Mexico to enter in and out of our country and use our services at their whim. We would go bankrupt.

I highly doubt that she heard any of the pundits or congressman who debate this issue using derogatory words in reference to Mexicans or Hispanics. But in her mind, anyone that wants to secure the border is a white supremacist jerk who uses those words over the barbecue. So she has written off the whole topic off as ignorance. And one comment in a message board is hardly representative of the millions of people who think we should address the illegal border crossings that happen daily. In the same way that we shouldn't want Mexicans stereotyped, she should not stereotype those that wish to have our immigration policy enforced.

This is the only country in the world that would allow so many to enter and use our services illegally. We are the only country that would let a border country decide our immigration policy.

If it were her children in the school system, and her medical costs rising because the hospital has to make up the difference from what they lose on those illegals that don't pay their bill, I think her position would be different. In short, if she saw it everyday, I think her position would be different. And I am aware illegals aren't the only ones that don't pay their bills.

But consider this, Parkland Medical Hospital (one of the largest hospitals in Dallas) - in 2006 70% of the babies delivered were to illegal immigrants. It cost the tax payers $31.3M (total bill was over $70M) and the women benefiting from those services NOTHING. Harris County (Houston) had $97M in unpaid costs (transferred to the taxpayer) in 2005. I'm sure in 06 and 07 the story was similar. And those taxes are federal - so that's federal taxes (your money too) coming into Texas hospitals to help pay for illegal immigrant care through Medicaid and other programs. 7% of all Texans are estimated to be here illegally. The statistics on this are outrageous.

In Texas, they estimate there are 1.4M illegals living mostly in Dallas and Houston. There are 5M people in Dallas. That means there are actually, if the numbers are to be believed, close to 6M people living in this area. And the number could be higher, it's not like illegal aliens register. That doesn't even count Fort Worth (another 2M or so, censused).

Add to all this tax payer money going into an immigration rabbit hole, you have President Bush and his Meridian Initiative. Which aims to give MORE tax payer money to Mexico to help them combat drug cartels. That is money that would be better spent on our own security, keeping those same drug cartels OUT of this country all together. But since it's fashionable to keep the growing Hispanic population happy, he sends money to Mexico so they can stop the problem (HA!) before it reaches our border. Meanwhile, hospitals are trying to bill the Mexican government for these health care costs, to no avail.

So in this country, we can refuse no one treatment. And when they walk on the bill we have to ask those that are in this country legally to foot the bill. But in Mexico, you have to pay upfront, and if you don't, you are not treated. And they are making no moves to pay their citizens bills.

For anecdotal evidence, the hospital situation in California is so bad that in the desert area that my parents live in, they repeatedly have to ask the air force base to open it's small clinic on the weekends to take care of the base emergency needs. Hospitals in California are completely overwhelmed, and with deficits causing cut backs and closures, there just are not enough to meet the rising population of those that don't pay.

And the criminal aspect of it:
3 undocumented immigrants held in rape attempt
Zina Linnik murder suspect booked on multiple rape charges
Twice deported man arrested for serial rape in Chandler, AZ
Man accused in teen's slaying is in U.S. illegally
Bus crash suspect identified as illegal
Fox 12 Morning Anchor Foils Possible Attack - illegal alien posed as police officer

On and on, the list goes. And they don't get deported, they get placed in the American system, use American lawyers, judges, and get placed in American jails. And in their home country, Mexican police officers tackle American tourists and demand cash, threaten them with jail unless they pay them cash, and take them to ATMs to get said cash.

All that happened. About two weeks ago.

And what about the paperwork they are stealing? The identity they are borrowing? What about the overall effect on our nation? 2/3rds do not have high school diplomas and they make very low incomes. They have high costs to our governments, but as a group they don't contribute a lot.

We need to enforce our immigration laws and force businesses to pay real wages. Businesses should be punished for hiring illegal workers and paying them under the table. We need a real worker program that allows those that just want a better life to live here for a time, make good money, and raise themselves out of poverty. Right now, all we are doing is fostering a new lower class that will drain the economy and clog our hospitals and schools.