Two important issues for federal government

There are two societal ills in our country that need to be addressed by government, the federal government. Both immigration and homelessness loom as threats to civil order. One is seemingly about to be addressed. The other seems to be just “kicked down the street.” Both these conditions are suffered at the local level but seem to bedevil the whole country.

Indigence has many causes. To the majority of us, it is a malady that poses a threat when encountered on the street and for which there seems no solution. Some cities ship their problems to a neighboring city, which doesn’t solve a thing. Some of the indigents are beset by physical and mental problems; they need help. We need something to be done.

Should organizations like the CCC or the WPA (Depression-era programs) be resurrected? They would need to be updated to account for the larger number of women and children now living on the streets. Whatever develops, I believe it needs to be a federal program due to the scope of the issue.

The federal government does seem to have a program to address illegal immigration. The first step is to control our borders to stem the tide of new illegal entrants. But then the question is what to do with the millions already here. Deport the criminals among them - great. Now what to do with the millions that are not criminals?

It is obvious to me. For millions to enter our country there had to be an almost open door with a welcome mat. I don’t think it fair to deport these; they were informally invited. What seems fair to me is to offer these people a path to citizenship. This is a win/win for the USA. What’s the problem? Too much politics, too much risk for people going to be up for reelection in two years? Well, this is what we elected you for.

Two knotty issues that this country needs addressed. Congress is the answer.

Dennis Gasick

Libertyville