Immigration is a huge problem in many parts of the world. Here in the US, we question why we allow children born of illegal immigrants to have automatic US citizenship just because they are born in this country. Well there was a science fiction writer last century that questioned why citizenship was ever given to anyone, rather than earned.
In 1959, Robert A. Heinlein wrote a science fiction novel entitled Starship Troopers. This book was later made into a major motion picture. While this was basically a spaghetti western set in space, there was a social message incorporated into both the book and movie.
It seems on 22nd Century Earth, no one is born into citizenship, it must be earned. The major way that citizenship is earned in Heinlein's world is by military service. Is this really such a bad idea?
Now, the only rights a citizen has over a legal resident in the United States are, the right to a Federal Job and the right to run for political office. The only two obligations that a citizen has are the duty to vote and the duty to serve on a jury.
So, would it be so terrible to embrace Heinlein's idea? I'm thinking many would think it was a terrible idea (the book was called fascist when it came out), what do you think?
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Citizenship ... The Heinlein Way
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Dream Act
Very seldom does a piece of legislation come before Congress that I would consider a slam-dunk, sure-fire approval. I think that the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is one of these. This Act affects the minor children of illegal aliens that came to this country before they were 16 years of age. Once these children finish High School, they are usually stuck. They don't qualify for student aid for college, can't join the military, can't work legally and are pretty much doomed to a life of poverty.
What this piece of legislation does is give these kids a chance. The student, who has grown up in this country, has to be a High School graduate, of good moral character (no criminal record) to qualify. The conditional status would last 6 years. At the end of the 6 years, the conditional resident would have to have completed 2 years of college or technical school or 2 years of military service or complete 910 hours of voluntary community service. After completing any of these pre-requisites, and having stayed out of legal trouble and avoided lengthy trips overseas (exceptions of course being made for deployments while in military service), the individual would then be eligible for permanent residency.
This is a win-win situation however you look at it. The military would get some much needed new recruits, these children would be able to get a college education (increasing the taxes received ... because college educated people make more taxable income), and these kids would be able to break the cycle of poverty that entraps illegal aliens.
And before everyone starts getting on me about supporting amnesty ... These kids have not committed any crimes. Remember this act states that they had to come over here before the age of 16. Their parents committed the crime ... not them. Some of these kids speak only English, some of them weren't even aware that they were here illegally until it came time to apply for financial aid for college, and their parents or guardians told them why they couldn't continue their education.
It's time for Congress to put aside their petty political bickering and enact this DREAM legislation ... because it's the right thing to do.
