Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpiao lays down the law to a participant in a protest of the sheriff's aggressive policy of arresting illegal aliens. Congress needs to follow the lead of Sheriff Arpiao, the writer believes. MATT YORK/ASSOCIATED PRESS Visit the Photo Place

Teddy's immigration lies carpet the path to national disaster

Gains for illegals come from hides of American workers

Date published: 7/23/2006

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY'S Inde- pendence Day commentary ["This Fourth of July, let's remember: We're a nation of immigrants"] is more propaganda than truth. When Walt Whitman wrote about "a teaming of nations," immigrants came to the United States legally. Illegal aliens come now. The debate is not about entitlement to citizenship. It is about illegal immigration.

Let Kennedy show one community where illegals made a contribution. Our future does not depend on illegal aliens. It depends on Americans. Standing on the Mall during the recent immigration demonstration, did he not see foreign flags and anti-American signs?

Illegal aliens are not undocumented workers. They have broken U.S. immigration laws and are criminals. American workers will take jobs for decent wages, causing prosperity twofold. With a decent wage, American workers would have more disposable income, which would stay in this country, not go south of the border. Also, there would be a lighter burden on the social infrastructure--education, health care, welfare; no translators in hospitals and government offices solely to benefit aliens; no money wasted providing instructions and directions in a foreign language.

Kennedy's claim that the "majority of Americans believe [the] liberal Senate immigration bill is a sound blueprint for progress" is bogus. Eighty percent of Americans do not believe that. The Senate measure is anti-American worker and anti-American family; it is pro-business, pro-labor, and pro-political power sought by both Republicans and Democrats.

Few Americans bought the lie of the past that "illegal aliens do jobs that the native-born won't," and we won't buy the newest lie--"our economy needs these people to maximize production." Few Americans would refuse overtime, maximizing production, for good pay. There are college students, on full scholarships, with tuition money, room, board, and stipends provided, who would work 16 hours a day for good pay. They would be willing to maximize production for equitable wages. They would do the hard jobs--those jobs the pro-amnesty lawmakers claim Americans won't do.

If Ted Kennedy knows that 1,000 illegal aliens enter this country daily, where is his legislation to secure the borders and enforce the law? If laws are enforced, aliens are not hired, aliens will return home and stay there, more aliens will never come.

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Date published: 7/23/2006