Alexander Tyler, who was a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh said in 1787: :”A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. Nations always progress through the following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From DEPENDENCE back into BONDAGE.”

Looking at these eight steps it is easy to see are at the very least on step five of the downfall of democracy. We also see why the statement rings true when we look at voting statistics. For the past several years most elections have been won by far, far less than a majority of votes if we use the total number eligible voters as the starting point.

A startling statistic is that roughly half of the eligible stay home on election day allowing fewer than a third of our voting population to call the shots on who will hold office.

When you consider the number of government employees and social services recipients who are most happy with the status quo, or rely on more government benefits, they are the ones who are motivated to vote for incumbents, or those who promise more freebies.

It is appalling to talk to people, and when asked who their representative is, replay with an “I don’t know.” These are dangerous people on the theory that ignorance is the cause of many problems. Many incumbent politicians rely on apathy and ignorance to keep their positions and spend most of their time placating and making public relations releases.

The image of a good candidate is 1. Name recognition, 2. Ability to raise money, and 3. A political base. Nowhere in this equation does competency arise. The mere perception of competency is enough to make the difference. Also, the practice of Gerrymandering safe districts can keep a less than mediocre legislator in office for many years.

If we look at the social services programs that have evolved, we find more and more people in stage seven. There is a huge block of people who depend on checks from the government to survive. Dependency is a great controlling factor when it comes to elections. The candidate who promises more, or claims his opponent will destroy present benefits usually gets a sympathetic and active enough audience to motivate them to go to the polls and cast what in reality is a self-serving ballot.

Politicians also have a nasty habit to place their re-election chances well ahead of what is good for society as a whole. The power plays in the legislative chambers focus on what can they do to enhance the power of their party. The ones in the minority want to be in the majority and those in the majority want to stay there.

The politicians are willing to destroy the future of the country with unreasonable debt so they will be re-elected and able to cash in on wonderful retirement benefits for themselves. They will cultivate a block of voters they can count on. They have turned Social Security into a great Ponzi scheme that won’t crash until they are out of office or dead.

That is the time when the United States will start with the first item on Tyler’s list. God help us all.

Budd Schroeder is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association. He is Chairman of the Board of the Shooter’s Committee On Political Education (SCOPE) and a Director of the Judges & Police Conference.

As a legal immigrant, and very proud citizen of the US, I understand why someone wants to come here. The US is the economic and political envy of the world. At the same time, we are the “envy of the world” because of our adherence to the rule of law.

Why are foreigners willing to invest their money in the US? The answer is the rule of law.

Why are they willing to hold on to US dollars or invest in US banks or property? The answer is the rule of law.

Immigration must be legal and orderly. Otherwise, it turns our cities into anarchy and it misuses our social services.

George Will is a conservative commentator. He is not known for making wild statements. From A History of Empty Words, Claims on Immigration by George Will:

“From 1990 to 2004, Hispanics accounted for 92 percent of the increase in poor people. Only 53 percent of Hispanics earn high school diplomas, the lowest among American ethnic groups. Half of all children born to Hispanic-Americans in 2005 were born out of wedlock — a reliable predictor of social pathologies.”

At some point, you have to say enough is enough.

Yesterday, I heard some audio clips from a US Senate debate on immigration. It’s fair to say that there are great divisions among Democrats and Republicans.

Frankly, the American people are not happy with it either. From Just 26% Favor Senate Immigration Plan:

“A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey conducted Monday and Tuesday night shows that just 26% of American voters favor passage of the legislation. Forty-eight percent (48%) are opposed while 26% are not sure.

The bi-partisan agreement among influential Senators and the White House has been met with bi-partisan opposition among the public. The measure is opposed by 47% of Republicans, 51% of Democrats, and 46% of those not affiliated with either major party.

The enforcement side of the debate is clearly where the public passion lies on the issue. Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters say it is Very Important for “the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration.” That view is held by 89% of Republicans, 65% of Democrats, and 63% of unaffiliated voters.”

Why are Americans so interested in border security? The answer is that an open border is an invitation to terrorists.

How do I know? See Breaching America: War refugees or threats?:

“A stark reminder of U.S. vulnerability at home came this month when six foreign-born Muslims, three of whom had entered the country illegally, were arrested and accused of plotting to attack the Army’s Fort Dix in New Jersey.”(Todd Bensman, San Antonio Express-News)

This is not about Mexico or immigration. This is about national security and the rule of law.

So secure the border. Force employers to obey the law. After that, let’s treat the 12 million here with respect and common sense. Last, but not least, bring back the “brasero” program so that Mexicans can come here, work and go back home legally.

From the Los Angeles Times — Immigration bill faces a wall of opposition:

“America’s workers have enough downward pressure on their wages because of unfair trade deals and corporate outsourcing of millions of jobs every year….The last thing they need now is to have an inflow of millions of more immigrants competing for their jobs at substandard wages.”

Who said that? Democrat Sen. Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota.

Immigration reform is the most complicated issue that I’ve ever seen. Why? Because it does not break down along party or ideological lines.

On most issues, I can find a fellow Republican who agrees with me about 80% of the time.

This time, there are conservatives vs conservatives and liberals vs liberals. In fact, there are liberals and conservatives calling this amnesty.

Liberals and conservatives can’t agree on Iraq but they agree that this amnesty. It’s amazing!

They don’t even like it in Mexico! From Fox News — Mexicans Fear Immigration Plan Moving Through Congress

What do I think of the new proposal?

First, I like the penalties. I have not seen the entire bill but it does appear that people will have to apply for a work temp visa (hereafter known as a Z visa), pay a $5,000 fine and submit to a background check.

Is $5,000 a lot of money? Not really. Just ask anyone who has tried to come legally to the US.

What does it cost to file documents and pay attorney’s fees to come here legally?

What about an H-1 visa?

What about a coyote? What’s the going rate?

Let’s be honest. Some people may not be able to afford it. Unfortunately, some of these people need to go back to their country of origin. You can’t please everybody!

My guess is that most people will find the money. Why? Paying $5,000 to get legalized in the US is a bargain!

Second, there will be a fence in the new proposal. I like that.

Why a fence? Because it will help Mexico and the US deal with the border violence and human traffic.

Mexico can’t fight the drug cartels by itself. It needs help and the fence is part of it! Read Border Sellout

Third, it will legalize some people already here. I am not sure about this provision because no one has considered the cost of legalizing people with few skills.

What’s the cost? How about US$ 2.5 trillion?

Why so much? Because most of these people would immediately be labeled as poor in the US. They are immediate candidates for food stamps, housing assistance, free school lunch and other social benefits.

We need to sit back and study the numbers carefully before we start importing Juan, his uncle, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, third cousin and everyone else in the “ranchito” that can’t find work. (See AMNESTY $$$$$ by Kate O’Beirne)

Fourth, I like that this proposal creates a point system for attracting more skilled immigrants. We need engineers and well educated people. Why? They pay taxes and are not a burden on the welfare state. Last, but not least, they buy auto insurance rather than drive around without it! (Skilled Immigrants at Last?)

Again, this proposal is a good place to start. However, I don’t think that the public will support it unless it deals with border security. (56% Support Enforcement Only Immigration Approach)

What should happen next? We should break this comprehensive process into several steps.

First, focus exclusively on the border for 2 years. Build the fence and stop the human flow. We may need US-Mexico military operations to put down the violence outbreak south of the border.

Again, I don’t think that Mexico has the military resources to fight the drug cartels’ firepower. (Can Mexico Win Its Drug War?)

At the same time, sit down with Pres. Calderon and suggest a Marshall Plan for Mexico. It’s time for the US and Mexico to understand that illegal immigrants are the direct casualties of a failed Mexican system. If Mexico can’t create jobs then it does not matter what we do!

We are in the first inning of a long ball game. Don’t hold your breath on any quick resolution of this problem.

P.S. The Wall Street Journal has a good summary of the proposal, Immigration Opening:

“We realize any immigration reform is going to require compromise, and this Senate bill’s complications reflect that political necessity. It’s a genuine cross-party bargain, a “center-out” compromise that is already under fire from the restrictionist right, the Big Labor left, and Lou Dobbsian opportunists. Senate sages are predicting 70 votes in support next week, but it’s an ominous sign that the ever-calculating Democrat Chuck Schumer is already expressing his doubts; his real goal may be to deny President Bush any legislative success.”

You can read this and other articles by Silvio Canto on his blog MY VIEW by Silvio Canto, Jr..

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The controversy regarding illegal immigration is constant and more acrimonious than necessary. The word “illegal” should be the clue. If the people come to this country illegally, they should be deported. In order to do that, the government has to get serious about recognizing it as a problem.

Proponents of amnesty claim that the illegal aliens do jobs that are shunned by Americans. What they really mean is that the illegal aliens do the jobs for less money than Americans are willing to work for. This has the effect of fewer decent paying jobs for citizens or legal immigrants.

Proponents for amnesty claim that the “undocumented guest workers” pay taxes and should be entitled to citizenship. They claim the influx of illegal border crossers is good for the economy. According to an email I received from a retired official in the INS, who took it from the website Immigration Counters, this is definitely not true. It starts with the statement that there are an estimated 20,807,645 illegal aliens in the country. (That’s just this email. The number is increasing constantly.)

As for costs, the breakdown is:

• Money wired to Mexico City since January, 2006–$22,213,001,672.
• Cost of social services for illegal aliens since 1996–$397,450,739,563.
• Number of children of illegal aliens in public schools—3,958,789.
• Cost of illegal aliens in K-12 since 1996–$13,965,063,431.
• Number of illegal aliens incarcerated—332,594.
• Cost of incarcerations since 2001–$1,398,127,429.
• Number of illegal Aliens fugitives—642,799.
• Skilled jobs taken by illegal aliens—9,872,835.

I am assuming these figures are accurate. If they come from a former bureaucrat, they may have reasonable accuracy, since bureaucracies are adept at compiling numbers.

When you look at the numbers of commas in the figures, it is in the billions. We are used to dealing with these figures when looking at governmental budgets and have become somewhat numbed to the reality of what a billion actually is.

For example: a billion seconds ago, it was 1959. A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive. A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the stone age. A billion days ago, no one walked on the earth on two feet.

Here is a scary figure. A billon dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes at the rate our government is spending it. What should be alarming to our citizens is that the politicians are spending our tax dollars. What’s even more alarming is that the citizens are putting up with it.

Maybe it is time for taxpayers to wake up and start contacting their representatives to demand true reform. We offer a few suggestions to help:

1. Stop making it easy for illegal aliens to get tax-funded services. No admission to schools for illegal alien children.
2. No social services, (food stamps, prolonged medical services, housing subsidies, etc.) for illegal aliens.
3. Children born in this country should not be considered to be citizens unless at least one of the parents is here legally.
4. Make severe penalties for making, selling, or using forged documents.
5. Make severe penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. We have to take the profit out of this practice.
6. Forget about amnesty for illegal aliens. Why reward them for breaking the law?
7. Increase penalties for anyone who helps illegal aliens enter the country or harbors them.

Then, we need to improve our criminal justice system and have a work program for certain types of criminals. If a person is incarcerated, we call it “paying their debt to society.” That is a joke. Prisoners get three square meals a day, in most cases cable TV, air conditioned facilities, and a comfortable way of life.

Perhaps the migrant labor problem could be solved by hiring out the non-violent prisoners to farmers at a minimum wage, have the prisoner pay for room and board, give time off for satisfactory labor, and put a reasonable amount of money in an account for the prisoner, and give it to him as he is escorted across the border at the end of his sentence.

To solve the problem of illegal immigration we must make the risk greater than the rewards, and we have to get serious about the solutions.

Budd Schroeder is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association. He is Chairman of the Board of the Shooter’s Committee On Political Education (SCOPE) and a Director of the Judges & Police Conference.

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Residential construction is down a bit. So who suffers? Can you believe illegal immigrants? Who else?

Of course, illegal immigrants lose their jobs and are not qualified for any kind of unemployment compensation.

How is that? You can not fire someone who was not hired!

Let me repeat: These people are not officially employed!

Illegal immigration is bad for everyone except the dishonest employer who is hiring the worker outside of our labor laws.

P.S. For more, see Illegal Immigrants, Housing Slump Takes Toll By EDUARDO PORTER:

“Technically they don’t fire them,” said Myrna Martínez, coordinator for the Fresno office of the American Friends Service Committee, a nonprofit organization working on social assistance projects for immigrant workers.

“They just tell them that there is no more work.”

You can read this and other articles by Silvio Canto on his blog MY VIEW by Silvio Canto, Jr..