Editor, Times-Union: It is not often that I agree with Gary Gerard's editorials. However, the May 13 article is one of the exceptions.
Mr. Gerard looked at the immigration "issue" with a very objective eye, and that is what is sorely needed at this time. Is illegal immigration so much worse now than in previous years? Or is it just a smoke screen put out by the administration and Congress and bought into by some of the media to divert our attention from more urgent, crucial problems (our soldiers dying in Iraq in an unwinnable war, our lying president, our scandal-ridden Congress, illegal wiretapping and collecting of millions of phone records of innocent Americans)?
Look at the recent history of letters to the editor of just the Times-Union and you will see that smoke screen is working. Mr. Gerard also discusses the fact that it is difficult to legally immigrate to this country. If peoples' problems with those from other countries are that they are illegal, and not that they are from other countries and are other races, then those complaining about illegal immigration should support efforts to make coming to the United States legally easier. But, once again, that doesn't seem to be the focus of the majority of opinions on this problem.
So, I applaud Mr. Gerard for focusing on things that are actually true and helpful, not just rhetorical. I would add one other focus to the discussion that is missing a lot of the time. Our government must pressure the Mexican government (and others) for sweeping changes in their economies so that the wealth that is held by very few down there is forced to "trickle down." Companies in the United States that do business with and manufacture in Mexico (for example) must work with our government and theirs and others for trade agreements that are fair to the workers in both of our countries - that is not the case right now. People are blaming the victims of current unfair trade policies when they focus only on illegal immigrants and how to get rid of them or how to stop them. This is only a symptom of much larger problems that must be fixed first.
Lisa Rector, via e-mail Warsaw
ID Cards
Editor, Times-Union: I read in the incidents in the Times-Union both Saturday and Monday papers the rash of reported lost Mexican Consulate identification cards. Is this a ploy to remain here illegally?
It seems strange to me that all of a sudden this is being reported while the subject of deportation and or legal battles in court might be coming. If someone has a good explanation of this matter I would appreciate a reply in the letters to the editor section of the Times-Union.
Thank you, and I would like to hear other thoughts about this.
P.S. The people that are hiring these people are to be fined $250 per illegal and nothing is happening in the courts. Look out people, your rights are going away!
