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Originally Posted by loganmule
You've nailed both the issue and the problem, boatin. I (and presumably the majority of citizens) would advocate a change in existing law where it could be shown to improve our situation as a country to do so. Regrettably, it's easier said than done.
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Boy, are you right on that. I'm not sure that anything can be done, frankly. Moving policy on something like this is a nightmare! My interest is coming to some conclusions for myself, so that I can feel that I'm on solid ground in my beliefs. Since the only thing I can control is me, I need to get my own house in order. Perhaps once I do, I could have some influence on those around me. That's about as high as I can aim
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First, you need to prove that your cost-benefit analysis assumption is in fact correct. Then you need to propose a reform that would be acceptable to a majority of Americans, understanding the difficulty in changing the minds of the 75% who oppose illegal immigration, many to the point that somehow getting the 11 million plus illegals out of the U.S. is the only answer.
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I'd just like to start with a cost-benefit analysis. I've tried to take my crappy google skills and figure something out, but I can't find a thing. Where's Host when you need him?? (that's a comment ONLY in love/respect/admiration for Host, btw).
Assuming we could definitively prove that there's a net benefit, I'm not sure that would matter for the majority of Americans. But I'd sure love to take it to a better level of understanding...
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Personally, I would only consider the decriminalization of illegals, as opposed to full amnesty, and even then on a number of conditions. My partial list: all are subject to prosecution and punishment for violating U.S. laws; illegals must come in and register, to obtain decriminalization status, and remain illegal and without any protection until then; they would not receive the right to vote; there would be no path to citizenship, other than under current immigration laws; and they would pay a special tax to cover our regulation and enforcement costs.
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I'd like to see something like this, but I'm not clear on what's in for the illegals. Why would someone be motivated to do that? Maybe it could be supply side driven - the crime of hiring a trule illegal would be actually enforced and penalized? Without some driver to get them to register, they won't, and we'll be right where we are. Can you tell me more?
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The reps and dems are batting around proposed legislation, and luck to them. This is a divisive issue, and even if they can put politics aside and come up with a solution that a majority of us can accept, the result will be to polarize the minority opposing it.
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Couldn't agree more. I'm skeptical anything can actually happen on this. On a strangely connected note, check out this article:
http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_02_13_a_murray.html
This has nothing to do with immigration, but it discusses something called a Power-law solution that sheds some light on why it's hard to solve problems. Plus, it's written by the best non fiction writer alive