ARE THEY WILLING TO HELP WITH THE DISHES?

I’m not going to talk politics. For one thing, I don’t keep up well enough. To keep up with all of the politicians and the laws they make--- then revoke--- would absorb my life.

I want to talk about normal people. People who are just like you and me---except for one thing: these “normal” people possess lives which are being torn apart by war or famine.

Or by good, old-fashioned poverty.

These people want to move to the United States in order to live a better life.

My questions:

When people from those places come here, should they be allowed to stay?

If they are allowed to stay, should they be forced to register?

I heard today of a woman who is “illegal”. Immediately, we think of someone living below the poverty line, or hiding from the law. However, this woman has a job and lives in an apartment for which she pays the rent. She owns a car. In fact, she lives pretty much just like everyone else. She just isn’t quite “legal”, meaning she isn’t a citizen, and she hasn’t registered as an alien.

What do you get when you become “legal”? You receive the right to pay taxes, for one thing.

But many family leaders who escape into the United States with five or six children, no job prospects, and no English-speaking skills aren’t sure how they will survive---let alone pay taxes.

People already living in the United States view these people with arms crossed, and lips pursed. We shake our heads in deep disapproval. “If we can pay taxes, they can pay taxes,” we mutter.

Becoming legal is a matter of steps. One of those steps requires an understanding of the language. I don’t remember having ever found myself unemployed, with no place to call home, and unable to understand what was being said to me.

That must be the true definition of starting from scratch.

So--- are people who are “illegal” bad?

Should the “fence climbers”---people who sneak into the country unlawfully be shot on sight?

No, most illegal aliens aren’t bad people. I don’t care what the ranters and railers on the radio and on Craigslist might say. They are just people. People looking for a better life. The good life. And isn’t that what we are all looking for?

The reason people get so upset about people who don’t register or become citizens is because, if you’re going to use something on a long term basis, it only makes sense that you contribute to the cost of usage.

Those families with children are going to need to send those kids to school. Taxpayer-supported schools.

Eventually, someone will need to see a doctor. Who is paying for the insurance?

The woman I mentioned at the beginning, who lives in her own apartment and drives her own car isn’t a citizen. So she doesn’t pay taxes.

Does she think the streets she drives on just grew there?

Or that they stay clean by licking themselves, like a cat?

People are paid to take care of those streets. And, ultimately, the workers are paid by taxpayers.

Sometimes, those of us who were born here tend to take things for granted. Sometimes, we forget that we are all immigrants.

“When you eat at other people’s houses, help with the dishes.”

That is what I was taught as a kid. I always felt awkward at first, but after awhile, it became an important part of the meal. I felt like a member of the family, like I was contributing.

Whether people should be allowed to move someplace where they can find a good life isn’t the question.

The question is--- are they willing to help with the dishes?