Democrats need to PROMOTE an alternative to fence building (UPDATE)

[jsamuel]

Democrats need to get out and PROMOTE their viewpoints instead of "waiting for the public to get there." We can help the public get there sooner. This will help Democrats look more like LEADERS also.

I say that alternative should be investing in Mexico and other latin american countries so that their economies improve, and therefore, people will be able to get good jobs in their own home countries. That is the REAL SOURCE of all the illegal immigration. Until we address the root of the problem, it will never get solved. Governments build walls when they are incapable of solving a problem.

Update (this is to be done with the two parts of this poll that were supported by the public)

2/3's favor Penalizing the employers

"split" vote on Fence building

3/4 favor Earned citizenship if they have lived here for greater than 5 years

"not enthusiastic" (even Republicans) over B*'s Guest Worker Program
(from CNN) http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1022421&mesg_id=1022512

[BuyingThyme]

1. Can we build a fence around Utah?

[Atman]

2. Moat digging?

;)

[MercutioATC]

3. I think a "supplement" to fence-building is what I'm advocating.

The first step is heavy penalties for companies that employ undocumented workers. However, without tighter border security (either a literal or metaphorical "fence"), the problem will continue.

[jsamuel]

7. I think of the problem as osmosis.

We have all the space (jobs/money) and they have a lot of water (people who need jobs/money). If we add some space to that side of the bag (invest in their countries) the water will have no reason to cross at such a high level, rather it will become stable with minimal movement.

[slide to the left]

4. How about a moat

Oh, wait, that didn't work. Oh well, Bring on the Mexican food.

[jsamuel]

5. updated

[Burning Water]

6. Sorry, why

is it our job?? What are their governments doing? And how do their governments treat aliens from other countries further south?

[jsamuel]

8. That is why we have foreign policy and diplomacy, is it not?

Yes it is. American government should be concerned about Americans first, the rest of the world second. This is not reflected by the Bush admin who care about companies first, regardless of country.

However, when the American's problem is dealing with foreign countries and those problems are a result of the foreign country having problems, then we MUST get involved with that country to solve OUR problem.