Bet Post 3

Since that horrific morning of 11 September, 2001, Americans have suddenly looked upon their harbors, airports and boarders with fear. For most of our history, we have lived by the words "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free." Now, in these days of international terrorism, we want, even need, to put up the "No room at the inn."

We all agree that the US needs greater security than ever before. In a large part, that falls upon the boarders. Especially the boarder with Mexico. Without even considering the issues of terrorism, we have vast numbers of Mexicans pouring into the US, looking for jobs, looking for money, looking for a better life. Before I can told how uncompassionate I am, for those that follow the rules of proper immigration, I say 'Welcome to the United States. Follow your dreams and live the kind of life you have always wanted. I will embrace you in good fellowship and brotherhood." But the proper trail is so difficult and so out of reach for the average Mexican, they prefer to take their chances crossing the boarder.

This has created an ongoing problem for the US that is only getting worse. We have called to our government to fix this problem. What are we told?

There are some jobs Americans are unwilling to do.

We will embrace these people as guest workers.

We can't build the fences we agreed to because it impacts negatively the environment of a species of desert turtle.

All these statements came from the office of President Bush and were picked up by most of the republican party. If you will forgive a paraphrasing of JFK: We don't do these things because they are easy, we do them because they are hard. We should do them because they are the right thing to do. And the truth is, we, through the vehicle of our government, a republican administration, don't have the guts to see it through.

I live in Iowa and within the last 6 months, the INS staged the largest anti illegal immigrant raid in history. The logistics were near impossible, the cost was prohibitive, the end result was questionable. There are raids all over the country, but these raids are just addressing the symptoms. We have to, have had to, close the boarders. Lock them up tight. The government has given lip service to this need, but has done nothing to make it a reality. This is the greatest failing of the Bush administration. And it goes beyond simply failing to keep a promise. It is willfully placing every American, man woman and child, at risk. And that is unforgivible.

Shame on you President Bush. Shame on every staunch republican in government. I hope you can all live with the potential consequences of your inaction.