[dennisw]

I know there has been a fair amount of discussion related to the issue of illegal immigration and illegal immigrants. However, after being out and about in Southern California recently and rubbing elbows with folks who appear to be illegal immigrants, it’s appears the problem has reached epidemic proportions.

Now I know that all the folks I interact with are not illegal. However, common sense tells me that a certain percentage of them are illegal and that percentage is so high that it’s a problem. But what is the real problem? Is it illegal immigration or is it the perception that the rights under the law of citizens are just slightly higher then those who are illegal? I believe one of the biggest problems is that we see illegals and resident aliens having virtually the same rights as citizens.

It’s a practical situation also. If there are punitive measures for illegal aliens under the law that are not enforced, does it really matter if the punitive measures exist? If they are not practically applied then they do not exist of all intensive purposes and again there is the question of the degree of disparity between citizens and non citizens under the law.

Therefore, I believe there should be a general reorganization of the laws related to citizenship. The benefits accruing to citizens should leave no doubt as to the favorable status of being a citizen.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is being roughed up by a Roman Centurion. When the Centurion learns Paul is in fact a citizen, the Hebrew says he turns white as he relizes the penalty for roughing up or torturing a citizen is death. I guess this is along the lines of what I’m thinking. Due process for citizens should be different.

The rate of income taxes should be substantially different for citizens. So substantial that resident and illegal aliens should be very motivated to become citizens.

I'm mean who fight the wars? Who protects our way of life? Should there not be some superb benefit associated with the related responsibilities? Does any of this make sense?