"Ilegal Aliens"

I've been thinking alot about the plight of the undocumented workers. Many say that we need a "guest worker" program to allow Mexicans to work the fields and do other jobs that Americans won't do. It is not that Americans won't work in the fields; it's that they won't work in the fields for $2.00 an hour! Raise the pay and you won't need "guest workers" to do the job, Americans will do them.

Others complain that "illegals" come here, live off welfare, and don't learn the language. Fix that easy enough; give citizenship to any who have a job and speak English, and give welfare only to citizens.

You could also fine companies that hire undocumented workers. People wouldn't come here if there weren't any jobs for them.

The one thing you shouldn't do is what the Republicans want--and that's to make it a felony to be undocumented or to "harbor" the undocumented. There are many "illegals" in school here who have been here most of their lives; they speak English, do well in school, and are assimilated into the American culture. They are American in all but documentation. What purpose would it serve to send them back?

How about helping Mexico develop some industries? I'm sure they have oil, and certainly have corn. They could make a cheap gas substitute and sell it to us; we would reverse their trade deficit with us in no time!

I don't know; just some thoughts. I just don't see the point in criminalizing people who just want to better themselves, and their only crime is to be born on the wrong side of an imaginary line.