Papers, Papers Please

We should be happy about this, why?

Whether you know it or not, the next big political battle will be over immigration and it may be starting in just a matter of weeks.

For the record, I favor some aspects of immigration reform and I believe we are morally obligated to treat illegal immigrants humanely because they are, well, human. I also believe that the problem cannot just be laid at the feet of those that are here illegally as our country has willingly turned a blind eye for a long time because of the economic benefit. Due to this collective culpability, a path to some form of legalization should eventually be realized.

That said, any and all realistic immigration reform must start with securing our borders. Must. Must. Must. Only when the borders have been proven to be secured will I, as a voter, consider any path to legalization for those already here.

So, to the topic of the day. In Arizona, lawmakers are considering a law by which they will make illegal to be illegal — brought to you by the Dept. of Redundant Laws Dept. But here is the kicker, the legislation would require law enforcement officers to check the legal status of those they suspect are undocumented.

Those they suspect? Huh? Are they kidding? Those they suspect based on what? What happens if Jose Gomez, third generation Mexican American, goes for a stroll without his wallet? What then?

No no. This is America, law enforcement officials don’t just stroll up to a law abiding citizens and say “Papers, papers please.” Not here, never. It is not about them, it is about us.

Sorry, I prefer the “illegals” over the Gestapo, any day.

Let’s secure the border for real and this will cease to be a serious problem begging for really bad solutions. If we do that, then one day a police officer can walk up to Pedro Jimenez and when he says “Papers, papers please,” Pedro will sell him a newspaper because that is his legal job. Then together they can complain about the insanely high taxes, because that is the American thing to do.