Barred
"I think it's important that people understand the sorts of values and sorts of standards that we have here, the fact that it's a privilege to come and the sort of things that mean you won't be welcome in this country," Ms Smith told GMTV.
"Coming to this country is a privilege. If you can't live by the rules that we live by, the standards and the values that we live by, we should exclude you from this country and, what's more, now we will make public those people that we have excluded.
"We are publishing the names of 16 of those that we have excluded since October. We are telling people who they are and why it is we don't want them in this country."
Can we do this here? Since we're all so eager to impress our European counterparts can we start mimicking their border policies? Please? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?
I mean you're going to force socialized medicine and waiting lists and prioritized care on me, can you at least start doing this too?
Comments
Do you really think that the US welcomes known terrorists?
And you don't want European border policies, really. You know you don't.
I still think the US has the sovereignty to claim that it is a right and a privelege to live here.
I'm sure you know, but we do actually employ a border patrol who captures illegals and deports them. Also, I think we have the INS which deals in this area as well.
(No fault of their own, I'd say, in most cases. They are unfunded and understaffed. Quite purposefully.)
We make such a big deal about immigrants, but we fail to realize that in desperation, all animals, including man, will fight to survive. Yes, illegal immigrants are in this country illegally, but are they here for the promise of a better life for their families? How far would you go to get away from oppression or to find a job? Would you risk being executed for your belief? Would you cling to a half-sunk boat just to possibly make it to the shores of a land with better opportunities?
It is easy to seem defiant, that I would stand before a firing squad for my beliefs, but until any of us is in that situation, we are guessing. And, it is easy, sitting at this keyboard to say that I would find out how to enter legally, apply for a work visa, and start the citizenship process. But, that is because I have the benefit of the education that I have been given, the access to information that I have.
Being an American is a privilege, a privilege granted by the blood, sweat and tears of men and women, who in some cases were/are immigrants themselves; who are willing to take up the mantle of Soldier/Marine/Sailor. This country was built by immigrants, and while I think all immigrants should enter legally, if someone is already here, let us embrace our humanity and instead of dropping them off at the border; get them started on the path to citizenship. There is a way to do this. I absolutely refuse to believe that America, in all of it's burecratic glory, cannot find a way to do this.
It isn't fair to think that it is going to be solved by draconian decision making. This land used to be a haven for those yearning to breath free. When Cuban refugees cling to a boat and land in Florida, they have entered illegally, but we have a process in place to allow asylum and eventual citizenship. What is so different about a Mexican or any other nationality? If they are willing to risk the things they risk to be here, isn't that a sign of desire to stay?
If the immigration issue is actually an employment issue then, my idea of collecting, and starting on the path to citizenship eliminates it. If the issue is security, we need to look for better ways to secure ourselves. For as a man greater in mental facilities said: "Those who would sacrifice liberty for a small amount of security, deserve neither" -- Ben Franklin
If America is as great a country as I feel it is, let us now show it. We should be a beacon for the world, instead of the incensed, arrogant, self-aggrandizing people we are. Let's not forget Proverbs 16:18-10 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." If pride truly goeth before a fall, then we, my fellow countrymen, are headed for mighty fall.