>>>>>>>And slap everyone who did it legally in the face...
>>>>>
>>>>>That's like saying you can't use chemotherapy because it hurts other cells apart from the cancer cells. True, but what is your alternative? Scolding seems to have no effect and laying on of hands may work in some cases, but even believers accept that "God helps those who help themselves" and more tangible solutions usually are needed. Do you have one?
>>>>
>>>>John,
>>>>I think (guessing) that many conservatives (like Marcia and myself) would be in favor of giving amnesty to all illegals currently in the country. If - big if - the government would enforce the borders. Otherwise, the amnesty will be nothing more than a magnet to others to break the law.
>>>
>>>Believe it or not, I see your POV here. You undoubtedly had to go to some trouble to come here and it probably didn't happen right away. It probably cost you some money, too. So these other people are going to just step across an invisible border? I get it. You should feel resentful.
>>>
>>>But -- the invisible border is what makes it different. A rich country and a poor country have a long border together and it clearly isn't too hard to go from one side to the other. If I was on the other side of that line and wanted a better life for my children, with the number of legal immigrants artificially limited, you bet I would do it. In a heartbeat.
>>
>>It really didn't cost me much money to come here. I didn't have much in the old country to begin with and the Soviet authorities only allowed $140 per person to be carried when you leave the country. I worked in Italy while waiting for the permit to come to the USA. So when I entered the USA I had about $600 with me.
>>
>>I can see that if you were on the other side you would try to cross the border. Unless you knew that the border guards would stop you and send you back. If you want the number of legal immigrants to be increased talk to your rep and work on passing the law or whatever is legally required. But make sure it is done legally and the backgrounds of the people who enter are checked. Just like it is done if you immigrate to the USA from any other country.
>
>My rep is a Tea Party guy so I don't envision us working together fruitfully ;-)
>
>You really are an American success story. A tip of the hat to you.

Thank you for your kind words, Mike.