The law recently passed in Arizona was the spark that ignited the flame of this discussion. I won't go into details about the nature of the bill that was past, first because my opinion of it is irrelevant due to my lack of knowledge of its contents. But as I listened to the arguments on the radio today because of the bill that had been past, I had a revelation.
Why are we so concerned about letting others into our country? Is it language? Is it because of the expenses it may incur? Is it because of the effect it may have on our education? We have an eternity to transcend the bounds of language, and an eternity to learn everything we must know.
I think the real reason we don't want others here is because we know that a higher population means wider distribution of wealth. There is not a reason that's not self-centered for preventing others from having the same opportunities we have as Americans. Not one. If you loved your neighbor, you would do everything in your power to ensure the best for him - financially, physically, and spiritually - regardless of the effects on yourself.
We need to think of others before ourselves. The greed that has taken America's hearts may not be obvious - and it may be easy for many of us to call those more wealthy than us greedy. But look at the big picture. We, as Americans, consume much more than the rest of the world.
Let's stop debating about how many people we should allow to have an american experience. Let's stop arguing over whether or not we should even let people in. Stop and think, before you speak, not about language gaps or cultural differences, but about a hungry child, a father struggling to make ends meet, or an old man unable to rest from the labors of his hard-earned life because of low wages. Think of human beings.
I might be wrong, but I think the concern in Arizona is with others entering the country *illegally*, isn't it? I didn't hear the program you were listening to, but I think processing the number of applicants they have already is really slow - maybe they need a way to speed up the process to get green cards and stuff? But there are SO MANY coming illegally because they can't or won't wait. Maybe we're just too slow? But things really do need to be done in order. Careful judging either side, I think.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Laura. I believe that most Americans are willing to have immigrants here, providing that they come *legally* and pay in to the programs that they wish to partake from. Come live where I do for awhile...it would provide new insight.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the general population of Americans are upset about people from other countries coming here. It comes down to doing it legally. I think those who come here illegal disgrace the many generations, my ancestors included, who came here and did it by obeying the law. Don't you agree that anyone coming into this country, or any country for that matter, should obey the laws of that land? Article of Faith #12;We belive in .........obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. I think Heavenly Father expects us to be honest as well!
ReplyDeleteThe problem that I am seeing is that that only ones who are able to come legally are the educated or the skilled or the wealthy. A few years ago a friend of mine wanted his mother-in-law to come for a 3 week visit from the Dominican Republic. Letters of recommendation were written by many and all the legal steps were followed and guess what? DENIED. That was just for a VISIT. If you dig deeper into NAFTA you will find that what happened is that instead of more jobs and more opportunity in Mexico and other Central American countries, jobs got more scarce and the free trade created a situation where their farmers couldn't compete with the influx of crops from the USA. Basically, WE created a situation that was great for business for us, but very poor for our neighbors south of us. They really are starving and unable to make a living. I think anyone who wants to come here and work who does not have a criminal record should be given a green card so that they can go back and forth LEGALLY. I think there are a lot who come who don't really want to be here permanently, but we don't allow them the option of going back and forth.
ReplyDeleteJen: If you have ever gotten a speeding ticket, you have broken the law too, the same level of law as is broken when people come into our country illegally. The church doesn't ostracize them here or take away their temple recommends for being here illegally. They even send out missionaries who may not be legal. I'll take my cue from the leaders of the church.