Terrorists won't destroy the U.S., we will
As a teenager, I vividly remember watching the Cuban missile crisis unfold and the helpless feeling I had that our country was going to be destroyed in a nuclear war. I'm now in my 60s and I have the same sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, only this time my concerns are based upon illegal immigration. Maybe I'm foolish or just plain naive, but I don't understand how someone can knowingly enter our country illegally and then complain about how unfairly they're being treated by law enforcement or our government. Am I missing something here? Would someone please tell me what other countries you can enter illegally and then protest about how your rights are being violated, get an education, receive health care benefits, etc.? I find it equally disturbing that an illegal immigrant can give birth to a child (who automatically becomes a U.S. citizen) in our country and then complain that their family is being torn apart by our government if they're deported. Am I the only one who shares a total sense of frustration and helplessness on how immigration issues are being dealt with in this country? I'm not opposed to those from other countries coming to America to better their lives. I applaud them for that. What I'm opposed to are those who come here illegally and expect to have the same rights and benefits as U.S. citizens.
Many of our elected officials no longer represent those who elected them to office, and are only concerned about their political careers and agendas. Few are willing to take a stand on the immigration issue out of fear of losing votes or offending someone. Unfortunately, the state of Arizona seems to be the only state to have the fortitude to say enough is enough. I don't know if we'll ever be able to change the negative direction our country is headed and it frightens me. Perhaps the pendulum has already swung too far. I no longer worry about our country being destroyed by acts of terrorism. I think we'll manage to destroy it ourselves without anyone's help.
Steve Haisley
Vernon Hills