Playing with Other People's Lives
The partisan games heat-up.
If I were to say, Biden has opened he Southern border to immigrants so that the Democrats in the future will have more voters and you were to respond that Republicans have spread the word that the border is open so that we will have a crisis and they will use it to win the next election, we wouldn’t be very close to a mutual understanding.
If we each instead agree that our elected representatives in Washington should be working together to find solutions to problems, we all acknowledge exist, we might both examine our voting choices next year and make sure we elect candidates that would solve rather than cause problems.
Of course, it isn’t that simple. While I’m willing to hazard a guess that the majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress want to create a rational and humane immigration policy, I can understand the partisan pressures and political fears at work.
Like all real-world problems, the issue can’t be reduced to some simple formula answer. Our overall foreign policy should be working toward justice and prosperity in societies to our South. We need to be open to the possibility that American interests can cause malign consequences in other countries. As well, we should consider what if any US policies might support justice and wellbeing in these societies. Actions have consequences, often unforeseen and usually unintended. Ignorance is not a good excuse.
As well, I think most of us want a border policy that offers asylum and an immigration policy that encourages good people to seek refuge in this country…safely and legally. I think most of us realize that this will cost more resources, more immigration judges, border facilities, and personnel.
I hope most of us realize that the wild numbers and assertions that are being thrown around are far-fetched partisan nonsense. Those that turn themselves in at the border seeking asylum are not drug laden, terrorist, dregs of society. And our border forces under difficult circumstances should be largely praised for doing their job, stopping many who pass illegally and seeing they are sent back. At the same time, not every immigrant is a worthy future citizen. And the situation is not under control.
You can’t “win a war” by throwing money at a problem---if by that is meant blind expenditure of surplus funds by government. You can, though, win victories by spending what is necessary. This should have nothing to do with partisanship. We all, mostly, agree on the objectives and there are enough people available with the expertise and experience to lead a successful border and immigration policy. Also, the resources are available. We don’t have to fail somewhere else in order to succeed in this. That’s again partisan smoke-screening.
Let’s stop making serious problems, where many human lives are at stake, into partisan battle fields. Responsible people don’t use the tragedies that others face in this world to win office, victories or other self-serving ends. Serious men and women take time out from their “games” to heal, mend and nurture their world.
It’s not: lets be nice to each other and look the other way. It’s simply, “let’s grow up.” We live in a world with other adults.