Immigration control no boondoggle
Mark Paxton made two very valid points in his column
”
Naturally
”
of April 18. First, imposing criminal penalties against those
who employ illegal immigrants would quickly stop the influx and
cause most illegals to return home. Second, completely fencing our
southern border would have big, costly and serious environmental
impacts. We should not do it.
But his claim that controlling our border is just a
”
makework
”
boondoggle is totally false. Excessive immigration, legal as
well as illegal, costs our nation dearly. It causes some 70 percent
of our ongoing population growth. This in turn, increases traffic
congestion, and overburdens our schools, hospitals, social
services, low cost housing and our criminal justice system. It also
depresses wages and takes jobs from our own poor.
Taxpayers and most ordinary citizens pay these costs, while a
smaller group enjoys the benefits
– employers, helped by lower labor costs; immigrant rights
groups and immigrants themselves; vocal lawyers who serve
immigrants; and those wanting to be compassionate. And lower prices
do help consumers a bit. The Mexican government also benefits
greatly by exporting some of its impoverished popul
ation, and from money they send home. Subsidizing these groups
is estimated to cost taxpayers about $70 billion annually.
Most illegal immigrants are good people, who come here just
seeking to better their lives. They deserve our respect, although
the few
”
bad apples
”
among them do bring us big problems. But if we fail to stop this
influx, the sheer number of incoming bodies will overwhelm our
nation in the not so distant future.
We must control our borders and enforce sanctions on those who
hire all these illegal immigrants! Our grandchildren will pay a
heavy price should we fail to do so.
John Blake
Hollister
Immigration control no boondoggle
Mark Paxton made two very valid points in his column “Naturally” of April 18. First, imposing criminal penalties against those who employ illegal immigrants would quickly stop the influx and cause most illegals to return home. Second, completely fencing our southern border would have big, costly and serious environmental impacts. We should not do it.
But his claim that controlling our border is just a “makework” boondoggle is totally false. Excessive immigration, legal as well as illegal, costs our nation dearly. It causes some 70 percent of our ongoing population growth. This in turn, increases traffic congestion, and overburdens our schools, hospitals, social services, low cost housing and our criminal justice system. It also depresses wages and takes jobs from our own poor.
Taxpayers and most ordinary citizens pay these costs, while a smaller group enjoys the benefits – employers, helped by lower labor costs; immigrant rights groups and immigrants themselves; vocal lawyers who serve immigrants; and those wanting to be compassionate. And lower prices do help consumers a bit. The Mexican government also benefits greatly by exporting some of its impoverished population, and from money they send home. Subsidizing these groups is estimated to cost taxpayers about $70 billion annually.
Most illegal immigrants are good people, who come here just seeking to better their lives. They deserve our respect, although the few “bad apples” among them do bring us big problems. But if we fail to stop this influx, the sheer number of incoming bodies will overwhelm our nation in the not so distant future.
We must control our borders and enforce sanctions on those who hire all these illegal immigrants! Our grandchildren will pay a heavy price should we fail to do so.
John Blake
Hollister
Thanks for community’s support
I would like to take a moment and thank quite a few people who made it possible for R.O. Hardin to bring the Harlem Wizards to Hollister. All who attended this event had a great time and it would not have been possible without the help and support of our local businesses and community members. It is people and businesses like these that make Hollister a great place. Thank you for your support: Dolly Ares, Esq.; Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP; Calaveras School; The Chase Family; Peter Coelho, M.D.; Sheila Cordova; Josie Cruz; Tina DelVillar; Eight Ball Bail Bonds; Mary Anne Filice Realty; Gibson Farms; The Ibarra Family; Jamba Juice; Laura J. Kirschmann Transcription; The Kirschmann Family; Wendy Lamour; the Lingenfelter Family; Mandego Apparel; Bill Manis; Tony Nava; The Ortega Family; The Pinnacle; The Player’s Edge; PostNet; Private Spring Water; Rancho San Justo; The Cottages at Ridgemark; Martha Ruiz; David P. L. Sachs, M.D.; San Benito High School; The Schneider Family; Sheila’s Helping Hands Daycare; Connie Silva; the Smith Family; South Valley Drywall; Maria Spandri, Independent Cookie Lee Consultant; Nahara and Demetri Stamm; Starbucks; Edward Tritico, DDS; Tessa Wise-Howard and Sharon Wise-Howard; all the students who lent a hand and all the businesses who let us hang posters; our cheerleaders; and last, but not least, our players. These people and businesses gave their time and money to bring the Harlem Wizards to Hollister and we hope to bring them back next year.
Laura J. Kirschmann,
president
R.O. Hardin PTO
