Post Crescent Editorial!

Hits a century! FYI, a century is when a cricket batsman scores 100 points in a game (I can not recall the exact details, but it is along the lines of a homerun). Now that roundabouts are coming to Wisconsin we need to learn cricket! Hahaha

Anyway the Post Crescent does a good job with their editorial today.

Government programs that permit illegal residents to subsist here only encourage them to take those risks, and Wisconsin offers more encouragement than most.

For example, in Wisconsin, undocumented immigrants can take out a mortgage, underwritten by a quasi-governmental agency, without a Social Security number. They can also get a drivers license.

All it takes now to get a drivers license in Wisconsin is something that gives the applicant’s name and date of birth, like a birth certificate; a second form of ID, like a credit card; and evidence they live in Wisconsin, like a utility bill.

Sensibly, a state Assembly committee voted Wednesday to end the practice of issuing Wisconsin drivers licenses without proof of citizenship.

Source: Appleton Post Crescent Friday May 20, 2005 Editorial: End state encouragement for illegal immigrants

Why end this encouragement?

It’s hypocritical to tell undocumented immigrants it’s illegal for them to be here and to work here, then issue a drivers license so they can get to jobs they hold illegally, and often, for lower wages than someone could pay a documented worker.

How can lawmakers who would continue the practice call themselves advocates for immigrants?

Next, the Legislature should pass legislation that would stop the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority from backing mortgages on which illegal immigrants pay interest they earned working illegally.

Source: Appleton Post Crescent Friday May 20, 2005 Editorial: End state encouragement for illegal immigrants

Wow! I have blogged similar sentiments over at Blogger Beer. I am not opposed to immigration, just illegal immigration. The argument we should be having is about the levels of LEGAL immigration.

Wouldn't it be much better for Mexico (or other nations that offer lots of Illegal immigrants) if people would not have the need to emigrate en-masse? Until Mexico figures out it can not send all of its unemployed citizens to the USA they have no incentive to reform and improve their own economy. With immigration in its current form all we are doing is pushing off the inevitable for Mexico.