I’ve heard the word comprehensive bandied about over and over when it comes to immigration reform. Kennedy thinks he’s being cute when he calls his bill a “comprehensive” solution.
I don’t know how much attention you have been paying to the latest round of bills being passed, but let me focus on a couple to illustrate why the word comprehensive doesn’t really mean what I think.
Here is an acceptable explanation from the dictionary:
comprehensive
adjective
1. including all or everything; “comprehensive coverage”; “a comprehensive history of the revolution”; “a comprehensive survey”; “a comprehensive education” [ant: incomprehensive]
2. broad in scope; “a comprehensive survey of world affairs”noun
1. an intensive examination testing a student’s proficiency in some special field of knowledge; “she took her comps in English literature” [syn: comprehensive examination]
“Including all or everything”. This would mean, to me at least, when talking about a bill that would become law, that everything in the bill (law) would need to be enforced. This is the only reason I would accept a comprehensive solution.
What is really happening with comprehensive solutions is a cherry picking of components that get enforced.
Take for example the law which was passed last year to build the border fences. The fences are authorized, and money in a must spend criteria, alloted to the project. Yet, less than 13 miles have been built. The reason we have been given is there is no timetable given to complete the fences and the work, though stalled, is in progress. That’s their idea of building the fences.
The law states it is illegal for employers to hire illegal aliens. This is current law, yet, they choose not to prosecute those employers that have been caught red handed. These employers have been on the news!
Dear God, if we prosecute these employers, we won’t have any more chicken, no more lettuce, dear God what are you trying to make us do?? STARVE????
With all this in mind, I can envision a literal potpourri of amendments and components which will lead to no immigration reform at all.
When a bill is made up of so many pieces, it is bound to please a greater majority because there is something in there for everyone. But here is the rub, many of the things the public may deem necessary and good will be ignored, and only those components that support the agenda of the few will be acted upon.
So when they tell us there is funding for a fence, it is actually an amendment that shortens the fence defined by current law.
When they say they will hire more border agents, it will be to facilitate the auto immigration process.
The Z visa is one of the desired components of this bill. This one will be the cherry tomato they want on the salad.
So guess which one will be actively enforced.
Current law mandates prosecution of employers who hire illegal aliens. The comprehensive immigration bill will remove their liability.
When I hear, “We need a Comprehensive Solution”, I know the lawmakers have no intention in following the desires of the people and are supporting special interests, because they will pick and choose which components they will adhere to, which is not a comprehensive solution at all.
Just my opinion.
