Author: simplebender

Good immigration and asylum policy is hard.  There are many perspectives, so much misinformation and racism, and so much at risk.  These United States were founded on the spirit of immigration, the worlds melting pot.  We have swung between open borders to closed, and back again, repeatedly like the swing of a pendulum.  To help slow this process, States should create a ‘State Resident’ status to assist immigrants toward their U.S. citizenship while recognizing the value these individuals bring to the State.

Under a ‘State Resident’ classification all, non-U.S. citizen, immigrants in the State, would be recognized as legitimate citizens of the State.  They would be required to follow all applicable laws, be required to have valid driver’s licenses, pay all appropriate taxes, participate in State medical insurance programs, pay into a State’s version of Social Security, and vote in local and state elections.  They would have equal standing, as well as responsibilities and obligations, as any other resident of the State.  With one clear exception, if convicted of any local, State, or Federal laws, would result deportation hearing and a real probability of being imprisoned and/or deported.  After five years of State Citizenship the State would act as a sponsor and advocate for their federal citizenship application.

The immigrants in our States need and deserve a clear path to U.S. Citizenship.  They need ways and means to provide for their families without fear of retaliation based on their status, the fear of family separation, or the fear of prosecution only because of their immigration status.  These are people we see every day.  These are hardworking, industrious, humble people willing to do the jobs most of us of privilege would not want to do.  These are people who do not want to be a burden on society, to the contrary.  They want to be integrated into the community and make it better. 

Every country needs a strong, secure border to ensure its sovereignty and protect its national interests.  Every country needs a strong, consistent, immigration policy and a means for those trying to save their families from tyranny, gangs, and genocide to seek and secure asylum.  These are not mutually exclusive.  States, counties, and cities which are establishing sanctuary status and policies work against the spirit of an integrated immigration and asylum program.  The problem is we, as a country, do not have a consistent, integrated, coordinated immigration and asylum program.

This is where States can lead the way and create a bridge to fill the gap and capture the benefit immigrants bring to our state.  It will take bold leadership and a strong commitment to help these people in need.  Are we as a State ready to support a State policy on State Citizenship?  Maybe, maybe not; but if we do not the problems and conflict with wavering federal programs will continue.

And who am I?  I’m a guy who grew up on the border.  A guy who has worked in the cotton fields with immigrants, both legal and transient.  A guy who has watched men leave their hoes and race to jump a train heading east in search for better jobs and a better life so they can send money back to their families.  Their plight is real and so is their contribution to the State.  Let’s recognize them and make them Citizens of the State and help them become Citizen of the Nation.  #NeverFeartheDream

Today’s political theater is replicating a bad football game.  Every time there is an apparent fumble both teams pile on and scrum for the ball, all the while everyone else stands around clueless pointing in the opposite directions.  Countless replays are broadcast to no avail. The refs dive in and must figure out who has made the recovery.  Just like several states in our last election.  Everyone claims victory and the clueless point in their direction making things up along the way.  The judges have leaned in and called the winner.  Coaches have objected to the call and again more video replays confirm the refs and judges call.

Every score reviewed and confirmed. The game is over.  The final score posted for everyone to see and yet the teams refuse to leave. They choose to swarm the field and continue the fight.  The refs avoid the mayhem and let the coaches try to bring about resolution.

The people have voted, all the votes counted, the courts have ruled on the challenges, the electoral college has voted; and now, like the Tulsa-Mississippi State bowl game, a new fight is about to commence. 

It is time to move on and let the winners celebrate a hard-fought victory and respect their challengers.  It is good that the stands were empty, or the brawl would have been worse.  Let us press the leadership to keep the crowds out of the political brawl and celebrate our long stand tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.  #NeverFeartheDream

What an interesting America we currently live in.  An America where a hoax virus has infected over eight million citizens, killed over 220,000 and adding to the score over 700 a day.  An America where ‘the truth isn’t the truth’ (R. Giuliani 8/18) and the President cannot bring himself to denounce racism, white supremacy, or the radical conspiracy theory of ‘Q’.  An America where the killing of unarmed, and subdued, black citizens is called justified and police unions defend their right of ‘qualified immunity’.  An America where white supremacists are filmed driving through otherwise civil demonstrations brandishing loaded firearms and shooting paintballs at the demonstrators.  And we then wonder why the gatherings become violent and result in death and destruction.  And now, an America where the death of the alleged shooter of a MAGA leader in Oregon, during a counter demonstration, by U.S. Marshals is called ‘retribution’ by the President (Trump 9/20).  We have degraded into tribal warfare.  So here we are, a member of the MAGA tribe is injured therefore we must retaliate; we must have retribution.

What ever happened to the America which stood on the rule of law and which the basis of a democracy was founded on the open exchange of ideas and the power of the electorate?  And why, has America collectively lost its sense of humor?

Retribution, retaliation, and revenge are actions which will result in an inequal and opposite reaction.  Hitler authorized Nazi troops to enact retribution on towns and villages for the killing of single Nazi officers, e.g. Lidice Massacre (Czechoslovakia, 7/42).  Italy’s Mussolini used the same tactics to quell unrest and ‘dissidents’.  Post WWII the reverse retribution on Nazi sympathizers and to Mussolini himself was swift and brutal.  Retribution is a sword which cuts deep both ways.  Sometimes it just takes a while, but the resulting backswing can be vicious.

Can we, as a country and as individuals, pause for just a moment and take stock of where we are and where we are going?  The strength of this country is its people, their diversity, courage, and independence.  Not all things are not right with America.  Unfortunately, we no longer want to discuss them, find consensus, and together chart a path forward.  We act as if when someone is ‘wrong’ they have personally wronged us; maybe, just maybe we think too highly of ourselves and our opinions.

Maybe former Sec. R. Perry (11/19) was correct when he pronounced Trump was God’s ‘chosen one’ to be President.  Maybe the Almighty has become weary of us not treating each other with respect, fairness, and equality.  Maybe we needed a polarizing catalyst to force the facade to be violently ripped back for us to see our hypocrisy, laid bare before us and the world.  Although painful and uncomfortable, maybe we can stop and regroup as a country to rectify the now glaring issues in-front of us.  Maybe the extremist, in every tribe, can be controlled by the majority of those within who are now disenfranchised and forgotten.  Maybe those moderates can reach across tribe lines and find common ground and cast off the paradigm of extremism.  Maybe, just maybe, this country’s best days are ahead of us.  Maybe, but only if we stand together against those who see the path forward as their path and no other.  #NeverFearTheDream

Our country proudly sings, brags, and pontificates on being the Land of the Free, and our foundation upon Liberty.  However, our stance on Equality is revoltingly absent from anything we cherish.  The concept of citizen equality is all but missing from the documents which founded the country.  It is not mentioned in the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, or the National Anthem.  It is only once mentioned in the Constitution and in the Declaration of Independence.  The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees Equal Protection and the Declaration of Independence erroneously postulates ‘all men are created equal’; which we inherently know is not true.  Perhaps, just perhaps, if the concept of citizen Equality were so important it would be more prominently mentioned.  Perhaps, just perhaps, the Equal Rights Amendment would have been ratified soon after Congressional authorization in 1972. 

This country used to pride itself on being the Great Experiment, The Great Melting Pot.  The Statue of Liberty used to proudly symbolize a young county’s eagerness to embrace peoples from all countries, ethnicities, and religions.  To some, The Great Melting Pot only works if only the thick rich white cream is allowed to rise to the surface and keep the other ingredients stifled underneath.  The cauldron has been stirred only a few times.  The Civil War churned it well, and then forced settling by Jim Crow laws regained the majorities chosen equilibrium.  Women’s suffrage and the Voting Rights Act (1964) thinned and diluted the integrity of the thick white cream.  The Equal Rights Amendment of 1972 tried to stir the pot, but to really no avail.  And today, to the horror of the thinning white cream plurality, the cauldron is again being stirred by those, across the country, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.  This will be an uphill struggle.  Denial of inequality is a clear form of bias and racism and racism is deeply rooted in our culture making equality an after, after, thought in our conscious.  There is some hope, in 2018 the Southern Baptist Convention formally renounced its 1845 foundations of supporting slavery: only 153 years after the end of the Civil War.

The concept of Equality has two aspects:  Treatment and Opportunity.  Until those who feel there is no inequality begin to think, maybe, just maybe those who live with inequality might have a voice which should be heard; simple equal treatment will not happen.  Without equal treatment, equal opportunity will never happen.  Without equal treatment and opportunity, the country will never achieve its greatest potential gained through a homogenous blend of the skills, talents, and wisdom of all our citizens.  We instinctively know people are not equal; but they should be treated equally and have an equal opportunity to achieve their aspirations.

Perhaps, just perhaps,  Article 1 of the Equal Rights Amendment should read “All Citizens of the United States Women shall have equal rights in the United States and every place subject to it’s jurisdiction.  Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex without exception or clarification.”  I sadly ponder how long, if ever, such a change would be passed by Congress and ratified by the States.  If after thirty-eight years we cannot ratify an amendment requiring sexual equality what are the odds of one requiring equal treatment for all of us?  We must stand tall, grab your biggest spoon, and vigorously stir the pot.  #NeverFearTheDream