We must find some real solutions to the illegal immigration problem in this country. I'm sick to death of the banging on the drum for Arizona 1070. It's a joke. It does nothing to really solve the problem. If by some miracle it actually passes constitutional muster (it won't, just like CA proposition 187 failed the court test), all it will do is move the problem to other states. So, I'm looking for real solutions.

The first step should be to amend our Constitution so that citizenship is conferred like most European countries, where it is not enough to be born in the country, you must have at least one parent who is already a citizen. That would stop the issue of anchor babies. Of course, this amendment would not be retroactive. Children who are already citizens should not be stripped of their citizenship. But we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere. And then move forward from there. In addition, I would like to see the DREAM act be passed. It's actually a well thought out law. Since children go where their parents bring them, these children raised here are caught in limbo. Culturally, they are Americans. So, the DREAM act says, that if they have lived here for 5 years, never been in trouble with the law and are willing to get an education or serve in our US forces, they can then earn their citizenship. This act ONLY applies to the children. The parents of these kids are still illegal. but if the kids don't live up to their end of the bargain, they will have to leave.

The real root of the problem is jobs. What we need is an effective guest worker program. This would allow employers to bring in workers temporarily, with a firm deadline of when they must leave the country. But that is what it would be a temporary stay in this country. The question is always how to structure and implement this program. Surely, we can figure out how to make this happen. The corallary of this program would be strict enforcement of our laws forbidding the hiring of illegal aliens. I'm tired of seeing important people caught having illegal nannies or gardeners. It's going to stink, because many of the goods and services we take for granted that we can buy cheaply are going to cost more. Yes, you will pay more for a new roof on your house and yes, your restaurant meal is going to become more expensive.

We have all the laws we need on the books to deal with our illegal immigration issue. We never needed Arizona 1070. What we need are the resources and will to enforce our laws. We do always have to make exceptions for people who might be killed or harmed if they returned to their country for religious, political or social reason, but economics alone is not a good enough reason to be given asylum.

I'm would like some serious discussion of what we should be doing rather than just the constant venting. There must be some real constructive ideas among the Newsvine community. If you are thinking of just ranting or name calling, please don't post. Otherwise, help me think of ways to put into effect the changes we need to make.