[MD] an attempt at sharing good idea

[Andy Skelton]

John Carl wrote:
> Problem:  Conflict amongst the inhabitants of America about illegal
> immigration.

The solution you wrote makes my stomach ache. Disgusting! But I'm sure
you don't share my feeling that bureaucrats can't be trusted with such
power as that.

It's too soon for a solution anyway. The problem is insufficiently
analyzed. What are the conflicting values? They are many. Here are a
few.

Taxpayers may feel it is unfair when others do not pay. Illegal
immigrants who try to pay income tax are at greater risk for capture
and deportation. Thus illegal immigrants are virtually always tax
scofflaws, a target for the feelings of unfairness.

Nationalistic citizens who value their citizenship perhaps too much
the way they value their sports team may feel that foreigners do not
deserve to live in the promised land.

People on the receiving end of public assistance programs may feel
their share of the purse is threatened by the increase in the segment
of the population qualifying for assistance.

People on the providing end of public assistance (taxpayers not
receiving assistance) may feel their after-tax income threatened by
the possible increase in public assistance.

People who value their skin color may feel threatened by the
increasing population of people having a different skin color.

Ditto language.

Ditto music, cuisine, religion, and other facets of culture.

I have to stop for a bit. Somebody take over where I left off.

Andy