We are Responsible
Lives cannot be sacrifice for political ambition.
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 can 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, that we all acknowledge exist, like the border, we might work together to find better candidates and help them get elected.
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-like answer. Our overall foreign policy should support justice and prosperity in societies to our South.
We need to be open to the possibility that American economic interests can cause malign consequences in other countries. As well, we should consider what if any US policies would support justice and wellbeing in these societies. Actions have consequences, often unforeseen and usually unintended.
As well, I think most of us want immigration policies that respect national and international law and are humane, policies that offer asylum for the deserving and encourage 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. We also need to reform the visa system to meet our specific employment needs.
We also need to expand our ability to process asylum applications and work visas in the country of origin.
And we can all tone down our rhetoric. I hope most of us realize that many of the numbers and accusations that are being thrown around are far-fetched partisan trash talk. 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 them sent back. At the same time, not every immigrant is a worthy future citizen. And at present the situation at the border and the subsequent processing are not under control. It is a crisis
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 largely agree on the objectives, and there are qualified people with the expertise and experience to lead a successful border and immigration policy. It will need to be funded and, yes, 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 using serious problems, where many human lives are at stake, as partisan campaign fodder. Responsible people don’t use the tragedies that others face in this world to win office, or other self-serving ends. Serious men and women take time out from politics to heal, mend and nurture their world. And they try to speak truth and good sense to the American people.
It’s not: let’s be nice to each other and look the other way. It’s simply, “let’s grow up.” And live in a world with other adults.