July 4th, 2007
July 4th, 2007 . by CaryDeborah, from the North: Thank you. Your note means a lot.
Moving on to current events – the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, has signed into law a bill that should effectively remove the illegal immigrant from the state of Arizona. At least, the incentive for them to be here will be removed. The bill has built in penalties for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. No, not monetary – at least, not directly. First offense would result in your business being placed on probation for three years (five, if the hiring was ‘intentional’). Second offense your business license would be revoked. Period.
I’d say that’s pretty tough, wouldn’t you?
Only one problem. The enforcement part.
It really doesn’t matter how “tough” the laws are, if there is no enforcement and, more importantly, punishment, the lawbreakers won’t care. They will continue to break the law.
The only effective law is one that is fairly enforced, and punishment meted out afterward. Currently, the national passport requirements for traveling to Canada, Mexico, or any Carribean vaction spot are not being enforced, because “people weren’t ready” for them I say, tough. There was plenty of warning the rules were going into effect. The lack of punishment can be seen as the root cause for many maladies crippling the country today, mostly at the local level which will spill into the regional levels and beyond. Graffiti is a widespread problem because no one wants to hold their kids responsible for damaging other people’s property. Vandalism follows, with the “broken windows” model following (where there are broken windows or other signs of vandalism, the basic crime rate will rise).
My solution? Well, it’s pretty simple, yet it will be seen as a radical departure from the status quo: Hire enough police officers to have an effective presence in the area. Follow that with actually prosecuting and punishing those caught breaking the law. Overcrowded prisons? Just another incentive to not break the law. Once the perception is changed to actual punishment of the criminals, instead of coddling, the number of crimes and criminals will be reduced. Heck, even if the only thing the additional officers do is patrol the streets and write speeding tickets, overall the roads will become safer when the speeders slow down and the minor traffic infractions are not occurring as often as they are now.
Back to the illegal immigrant law: There is talk of a large exodus of the illegals, since they won’t be able to find work. Boo-freakin’hoo. I look at this as a positive. Number one, the traffic was much lighter, and there were fewer accidents, on the days of the illegal immigrant rallies. Number two, once the cheap labor is gone, the market will do a rapid self correction and people will be able to get a decent wage once again. Number three, the entry level positions that the illegals love to hang on to forever will be freed up for high-school students to once again use as a stepping stone to the workforce.
On a personal note, the neighborhood will be safer to walk in at night. Right now, the large groups sharing the single family homes are causing enough traffic and trash to make anyone feel uncomfortable outside their own home.
Well, I’ve prattled on long enough. Time to update the on-line numbers and then catch some sleep before the festivities of the day begin.
Please be safe. Don’t drink and drive. If you must drink, do so responsibly. Remember that alcohol and gunpowder don’t mix. Well, they do, but with usually disastrous results.
Thank you for stopping by, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, support Warriors for Innocence, and write in Cary Cartter for President in 2008!
It never fails to amaze me how so many politicians bleieve that enacting new legislation is the answer to all of our woes. Most states already have sufficient legislation on the books to deal with most issues. They simply lack the will, or the ability, to enforce them (as you said).