Not even close!

Being that I now live in Arizona, one of my Facebook friends (an old friend from high school) asked for my thoughts on the immigration bill, and the national response to it. My two cents...for what they're worth.

I don’t know how much good the bill will do to ebb the flow of illegal immigration and the negative effects to our local economy or crime rate. So, how I feel about the bill itself is decidedly undecided. How’s that for non-committal? ;)

Now, what I strongly disagree with are the cries of racism, comparisons to Nazi-Germany and flat out lies about this bill. You cannot be stopped on the street merely for “breathing while Hispanic” or simply because you “look like an illegal immigrant” (Yes, the NY Times editorial page did actually say that and it’s been repeated ad nauseum throughout the media). If that were the case, I’d be hiding in a bunker, as I myself am half Hispanic. I’d also caution my full-blood-Hispanic, Spanish-speaking mother never to visit; yet she was here just a few days ago. The truth is the law only allows the police to question someone of their legal status if they have been stopped, detained or arrested on other grounds. Also, officers are barred from solely using race as grounds for questioning.

I am most appalled by the comparisons to Nazi-Germany. On the news tonight I watched coverage of a protest going on in downtown Phoenix where a reporter was interviewing a young woman (one of the protesters) who claimed to be an undocumented immigrant from Mexico studying here in AZ. Even in light of this bill, this young woman felt comfortable enough to share her legal status, show her face on television and give her full name. No one can tell me a Jewish person would have done the same in Nazi-Germany. For if she had, off to a concentration camp she would go. To compare this AZ law to Nazism is simply not true, but more disturbingly it minimizes the horror of the Holocaust.

Americans can agree or disagree with whether or not this bill is a good way to strengthen our economy, decrease our crime-rates and protect our taxpayers. Honestly, I can see valid points on either side. But please, PLEASE don’t lie about it by trivializing the Holocaust. This is not Nazi Germany. Not even close!

When grown people throw tantrums

We’ve all been there, either as a parent or an innocent bystander. A screaming 2 year old in the grocery aisle because his mother won’t buy him a candy bar. Would it be so much easier for you, the child and everyone else having to listen to their whaling to just give in? You bet. Is that what is right for the child? Is that the lesson you wish to teach? No, it’s not. One or two, or three painful trips past the candy aisle with a relentless child and an even more relentless parent is all you need to ingrain an important message – what you want isn’t always what you need, deserve or what you end up with. Perhaps one of the most pressing problems our society is facing is an ever increasing society of entitlement. The government meets the very definition of co-dependence. It loves to make people feel like they “need” the government and the people love to “need” the government. Who can blame them? It’s a cycle of dependence. The more the government gives, the more people need. The more people need the more government they want etc… How does this coincide with parenting? People wouldn’t think twice about telling a parent who is still allowing their 26 year old to live at home free of charge to get a grip (unforeseen circumstances aside). Why is it so different with government entitlement programs? Some may ask how a moral society can turn their backs on people. Others may ask how moral is it to promise un-tethered entitlements of which most are not sustainable. “Tough love” is a phrase often heard in the inner circles of parents, child psychologists, teachers and the like. What does “tough love” mean exactly? For me it means that showing love and compassion doesn’t always come in a nicely packaged present. Yes, please don’t tell me that because I “lean to the right” that I’m not compassionate. Compassion and politics is another topic for another time. Do I think the government should be there for the very poor, very young and very old?, yes I do. Do I want to provide for my children? Of course I do! Do I want my children to learn how to provide for themselves?, Of course I do! You should want my children to learn to provide for themselves too. Everyone has heard of the old Chinese proverb which states “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for life. “ I know, I know, easier said than done right? At what age is it appropriate to cut them off? I’m not sure there is a clear cut and dry answer to that but I do know that when the time comes, if you are asking yourself – am I doing too much for my child, the answer is probably yes. Life is full of bottled up, self-contained tantrums. And sometimes, even grown people throw tantrums. Take what’s happening in Greece for instance. There are grown men and women protesting, rioting and even committing involuntary man-slaughter because the government whom once promised rich entitlements for life is now having to admit they simply cannot financially keep up with the pace. Where is the compromise? Where is the give and take? How about civilized people acting grateful for all they’ve received and likely still will receive but also realizing that they may actually have to start expecting less. If a parent loses a job, should they continue to lavish their children with toys and excess? Let’s not be naïve, let’s not pretend that we won’t see this same scene playing out here in our own backyard unless we start being realistic with our citizens, which starts at home and around our own dinner tables by being realistic with our children. No you cannot have dessert unless you finish your dinner and help to clear the table; you don’t get anything for nothing in life and oh, don’t forget to say please.