Immigration 2-cents

I heard the most amazing thing on the radio this morning.

"Guest worker programs are a bad idea and harm all workers," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said in a statement released the day after the Senate Judiciary Committee cleared an immigration bill. "They cast workers into a perennial second-class status, and unfairly put their fates into their employers' hands."

Wha?!? How could this be?!? I actually agree with the head of a major labor union? Must be a full moon... But, back to reality with a dose of Teddy:

But Massachusetts Senator Edward "My bladder's full" Kennedy, arguably labor's strongest voice in Congress, notes that the proposal "has the support of agribusiness and farm workers."

Well, duh!!! It probably has the support of a whole bunch of rich, self-centered, holier-than-thou skinflints who can't stand the thought of paying two-bits more for their favorite bottle of California wine, or paying a so-called "living wage" to the teenager who mows the lawn and cleans the pool.

Mr. Sweeney makes the point that "guest workers" will face life in a permanent second class status. That's been my fear as well - are we actually creating a new semi-indentured institution? Intentionally or not, this legislation will

1. create a lucrative environment where the desperate will fall prey to pimping coyotes who promise to pay the fine or fees necessary to be granted second-class citizenship, if only the applicants work their asses off for 'X' number of years as slave labor.
2. drain more revenue from our Ponzi-scheme Social Security system by granting dependent foreign nationals the entitlement to a guest-worker's benefits.
3. give unprecedented power to a ready made "victim group" which will be exploited to its fullest extent by anti-American con artists and commies.
   

I would agree with Mr. Sweeney completely if I wasn't 100% sure that the situation would not remain permanent. Undoubtedly, the ACLU is already drawing up briefs to challenge any guest worker legislation as unconstitutional. How could they possibly let this one slide? Once we've opened the door to this virtual citizenship, the commies-in-courtrooms will demand that full citizenship be granted and, much to my everlasting shame, I would have to agree with them...

"GUEST WORKER" PROGRAM = TOTAL AMNESTY!