U.S. Soil

Immigrant Rights- Time For Change

A Solution For Two Problems

The United States of America has two problems and one is that recruiting for the armed forces is down and the other is a so called problem with illegal immigrants. The armed forces recruiting goals have been reduced yet the military has fallen twenty five percent short of reaching those goals. They have raised enlistment bonuses and lowered their standards for enlistment hoping to gain new recruits or salvage the remains of what they currently have. Uncle Sam is now accepting high school dropouts and minor criminals as well.

Granted that the U.S. has a problem with military forces falling short of entrees and some claim we have a problem with illegal immigrants there is a solution to both. DREAM, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, proposes that citizenship for undocumented immigrant children be granted upon their completion of two years of college or two years of U.S. military service. Some would claim we do not need illegal immigrants fighting in combat situations for a country which they are not culturally bonded. Military training and discipline seem like a good way to build that bond. Serving two years in the military is a small price to pay for legal documentation for illegal immigrants. And if it were up to me we would offer this plan to everyone world wide if they wanted to come to the United States of America.

Illegal Immigrants Boost the Nations Economy

Seen on the nightly news, in our morning newspapers, found online in news sources and read in magazines daily are reports that illegal immigrants are harming the United States economy. For more than two decades illegal immigrants here in America have been the target of national attention. They report that the growing numbers of illegal immigrants are lowering U.S. wages and setting up a demand for new schools, hospitals, and other public services. These reports have scared American citizens into thinking they are under invasion from Mexico.

Despite these reports nothing can be farther from the truth and corporate America has taken notice. Corporate America has recognized the economic influence and power of the illegal immigrant population. Corporate America is wise in realizing that it is illegal to hire illegal immigrants for labor but it is not illegal for corporate America to sell them products and services. Many large businesses such as mortgage lenders, banks, credit card companies, insurers, and cell phone carriers have accepted this growing population and reached out to them. Through this process illegal immigrants are swept into the economic mainstream. This is a tremendous benefit to our economy, fueling economic growth and increasing the share of taxes paid by illegal immigrants.

As we have seen it is impossible for the United States of America to stop illegal immigration. While we try to devise a plan to legalize these immigrants let the U.S. government offer them work visas and green cards so that they may contribute their services without fear of retaliation for being here illegally. Let us allow them to find jobs, not limiting the number of participants. The government should grant these immigrants full worker rights including official driver’s licenses and health insurance. With a plan following realistic guidelines we can restore the respect for the law to the illegal immigrants. After all these illegal immigrants are not going anywhere. They are here to stay so let us welcome them with open arms.

NORML Supports

People from all economic backgrounds are affected by the laws prohibiting marijuana at this time. The outdated law of prohibition is causing more harm to the American people than good. 20 million people have been arrested for marijuana since 1965. This is over crowing the prison system with non-violent offenders and the process is costing the United States billions of dollars each year.

A plan has been proposed on how to bring about change. Appealing to the American people- regardless of race, nationality, age or sexuality- NORML encourages them to speak out by contacting their state representative. The government can place regulations on marijuana. Taxing marijuana will help the struggling economy. Legalizing it will create millions of jobs for the American people who now suffer from the high unemployment rate. The American people themselves are the only ones with the ability to make change and if change is sought the time to speak up is now.

Legalize It

I on the other hand believe marijuana and the responsible use of marijuana should be legalized. R. Keith Stroup, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) would agree. After a hard days work we all seek a way to relax. Some choose to light up a cigarette, others choose to swing down a cold brew and for some their guilty pleasure is sparking up a joint. All used to relieve the stresses endured throughout the day. It is no secret that many Americans choose to use marijuana for this purpose.

I will not argue that marijuana is not abused because it is but that abuse falls on the individual choosing to use the drug. Abuse of marijuana is no different than abuse of prescription medications, nicotine, and alcohol. I believe marijuana to be less harmful than nicotine and alcohol. Smoking nicotine is carcinogenic to the smoker and those around them. Drinking alcohol destroys ones liver over time and getting behind the wheel intoxicated takes the life of many innocents every day.

Those who smoke marijuana are usually too high to leave their home. You tend to find them in an elevated state on the couch in front of the television set with a bag of Doritos in one hand and a Dr. Pepper in the other. If you find them behind the wheel of a motor vehicle they are usually traveling 20 miles per hour due to paranoia, a common known side effect of marijuana. At the speed the marijuana smoker is driving not much damage will be done if they are involved in an accident. 

Marijuana Use Not a Crime

The United States of America fights an unjust war everyday, "the War on Drugs", which is nothing more than a war over money. Choosing to partake in drug use is nothing more than the choice of the individual and it is not a crime. There is a difference between drug use and drug abuse and both will continue to happen. This leads more specifically to marijuana, is its use any more dangerous than prescribed medications, nicotine, or alcohol; all of which are legal and all of which are abused. The answer is no. Then why does the United States government continue to prosecute recreational marijuana users as hardened criminals? Yeah the question continues to baffle me as well...