I can't agree with you more, but it won't happen because businesses love cheap labor. They always have. I find it strange that nobody here can figure out why Bush is doing this. He is catering to the business community by legalizing the cheap labor force.

I find myself continually asking, "Why is there such an imperative to 'pass a bill' on this issue?" What is the urgency? I am at a complete loss to explain Bush's posture on this. He's pursuing it with the abandon of an outgoing CEO who wants to hit the ball out of the park in his last at-bat. Trouble is, he picked a completely indefensible issue, morally and otherwise, on which to stake his legacy. What will he be remembered for? As the guy who eradicated the practical significance of our borders. Some legacy.

Honestly, what problems are solved by making illegals into legals? Will they be less of a burden on our social safety net? No. They'll demand even *more* "rights." Will they suddenly stop behaving badly if they are criminals? No. Will they instantly command 2X-3X the wages because employers can't take advantage of their status? No. Or if they did, what is the difference between that and sending them all back to their home countries and giving those jobs to legal residents? The arguments in favor of amnesty and the catastrophe that will ensue if we don't cave in on this issue all crumble very quickly. Weren't the same arguments about the economy tanking without the cheap supply of labor made in, say, 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment? Newsflash: we survived, and so did our economy.

This isn't about rights. It isn't about the economy. It isn't about pragmatism. It is about sovereignty and allowing ourselves to get pushed around by nothing more than a whole bunch of people who want something they are not entitled to.

When I moved to Canada with my Canadian spouse, she had to sponsor me and we had to wait one full year for the paperwork so I could enter the country legally. One full year for her to return to her own country! When we later decided to move back to *my* home country America) seven years later, guess what? We had to wait another full year while we jumped through the USA's INS hoops. I've been on both sides of this coin. I played by the rules and I have a RIGHT to be here. So the next time I hear somebody whining about Mexican illegals being "driven" to do this because the wait for a green card is soooo long (5 years) and soooo uncertain, I think I will:

1. Slug them

2. Remind them that nobody from outside our borders is "entitled" to live on American soil. It is a privilege, not a birthright.

3. Point out that 5 years is a pittance. People wait far longer for things of far less value than American citizenship. For example, country club memberships, season tickets for some teams, and parking place ownership in some cities.

I have yet to hear even ONE rational argument as to why we should do anything other than send illegals back home. Why is mass deportation such a ridiculous idea? People bluster and tell me, "why you just CAN'T." But I ask, "why not?" And breaking up families? Please. That's like saying prison breaks up families and therefor laws should be abolished because they are "anti family."

I'm waiting for even one rational argument. The "I'm from Arizona and want to cater to the large hispanic populace" is understandable, if untenable. But Bush? I simply cannot understand the man's motivation. With one fell swoop he'll destroy his political party and his country.

I will vote for the opponent of any elected official voting for any form of legislation or proclamation offering illegal aliens sanctuary, any form of taxpayer funded benefits including tax funded contributions to organizations offering benefits to illegal aliens, police no ask policy, amnesty, earned citizenship, parole, or other politically correct name for amnesty UNLESS the opponent also voted for the bill or proclamation THEN I will vote for a write-in candidate.

So, while the program should be made mandatory, the borders also need to be watched.