Immigration Reform or Sound Bites?

Whatever happened to Compassionate Conservatism?
Good grief. I am so tired of trite quips that don’t even come close to telling the truth.
For instance, on the issue of immigration reform, one-liners don’t cut it.
Somebody tell the politicians.
Occasionally, I am happy when they get it right. For instance, when someone pointed out that “illegal immigrants” is an oxymoron.
Immigration is a tough issue, one that is centuries in the making.
In Texas, we understand that families have been living on both sides of the Rio Grande for generations.
When I was growing up, my history books left out the fact that, because slavery was outlawed on their side of the border, the Mexicans thought God was on their side at the time of the Alamo.
In fact, some immigrants to the Mexican territory from the US were looking to add Texas to the Union as a slave state.
You would think hassling with ruling governments would end with freedom from Mexico, but Texas had issues with the US government, too. It was still another five years before the US settled up with Texas, paying $10,000,000 in 1851 because of boundary disputes involving what are now other states.
Hmm…like I said, life can be complicated, even in Texas.
The issue of immigration won’t be solved by building a wall, not that walls keep people out.
On the other hand, if communist governments have taught us anything, walls do tend to keep people in. But that’s another story.
Then, there’s the whole welfare, government-provides-all-our-needs economy thing at work. When I was growing up that was labeled socialism.
American perspective has shifted to the point that we no longer view health care or education, for instance, as an opportunity and privilege available in a free country to those willing to make other sacrifices, but we tend view them as rights provided by our government.
I bet my grandparents would have scratched their heads over that notion.
What would happen if the government got out of the welfare business, reduced our taxes, and let us make our own decisions about our hard-earned cash?
I suspect that many Americans would enjoy giving away even more money to help others. Especially if charity meant education and health care for the needy.
Of course, that idea doesn’t buy votes. And lobbyist would have to find something else to do, something productive maybe. There’s a thought.
The growing pains associated with the current influx of foreigners won’t be solved without a lot of compassionate understanding.
Americans can handle the discussion; a good ole knock-down, drag out, lively debate all at once on the multiple repercussions of policy.
In fact, I’m bettin’ that many Americans think that debate is exactly what it is going to take to think creatively and come up with solutions along with consensus.
The American public is not stupid; if only our elected officials would leave off with the sound bites.
Sometimes I think “wise leaders” might be the more problematic oxymoron.

Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives, writes, and votes with a Texas twang. Comments are welcome at cathykrafve@gmail.com http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.