Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A Bad DREAM

On the docket of late: The DREAM Act

A lame ass name for a piss poor idea wrapped around good intentions and marketed for political gain.

You can read about it at the link. No doubt, you've already heard about it and already have your opinions. But what you've heard is likely different from the real deal, as emotionally charged as this seems to be.

As for me... I am opposed to the DREAM Act, as it is presented.
I've already stated that I think it's bullshit that a child can be illegally transported across the border, raised up within American society, and not be granted citizenship within the only country he knows.

The DREAM Act does not address this issue clearly enough, and only serves to muddy the waters of the immigration brouhaha even more... like we really need more of that, don't we?

Another bitch I have is this:
During the first six years, qualifying illegal immigrants would be granted "conditional" status, and would be required to graduate from a two-year community college or complete at least two years towards a 4-year degree, or serve two years in the U.S. military.

What the hell?

Is there something wrong with just getting a job and supporting a family?

Not all are made for school, let alone higher education. A kid can do good enough for society by just staying out of trouble and learning how to repair cars, build houses, or work on a loading dock to support a family.
To limit this blessing to the small minority who can do college is load of crap, as if we really needed a few more liberal arts majors to make this country work properly.

Keeping in mind how most of those who come from the illegal status are raised by parents with little education themselves, and likely lived in the lower-status side of town, attending the lesser educating schools. Very few will have the drive/motivation/push for college as it is, and have no hesitation at all when it comes to getting a real job and earning their own wages. (Fewer still are likely to graduate high school at all. Sad, but too often true.)

This bar is so high I'm tempted to think the DREAM Act was written by the Minute Men.
It's not fair.

11 comments:

RobertDWood said...

Well said.

W.B. Picklesworth said...

Higher ed has been a complete mess for years because society pressures people to go who have no reason to. What a waste of money and what a slap in the face to people who do honest work that can be learned without a freshmen composition component.

Mr. D said...

To limit this blessing to the small minority who can do college is load of crap, as if we really needed a few more liberal arts majors to make this country work properly.

I'm a liberal arts major and I agree with this 100%.

Brian said...

Yeah, I can understand the desire to require evidence of stakeholding in the US, but to limit that to higher education is really dumb.

I'd actually put entrepreneurship ahead of higher education...and I WORK in higher education...

Bike Bubba said...

Agreed; build a border fence and start serious work at repatriating illegals. Follow with increased legal immigration, applications to be filed in the U.S. consulate/embassy of your nation of residence.

Also encourage other nations to duplicate the freedoms which make this nation (or made at least) such a great place to live. No reason why someone shouldn't be able to breathe free on Bogoto, or Mexico City, or Beijing, too.

Gino said...

wow, not a single disagreement with me this time.
am i losing my edge?

if this keeps up, i'll be getting all that sycophant love another blogger freind of mine gets.
wonder what thats like...

Brian said...

Well I might disagree to the point that this *may* be an example of letting the perfect be the enemy of the good here, but I'm honestly not sure. I really don't know enough about the details of the DREAM Act (this is the first I've heard about the schooling requirement, for example) to have a strong opinion on it specifically.

I'm still for a massive liberalization of immigration policy, and I still think law enforcement-heavy approaches are a waste of time and money, and result in some truly cruel circumstances that the DREAM Act (imperfectly) seeks to remedy.

Feel better?

Guitarman said...

And let me guess. We pay for their schooling. What does this Dream Act say about immigrants finally paying some taxes at some point?

Gino said...

actually, if you read the link, they dont qualify for federal educational assistence durring their trial period.

Anonymous said...

I disagree with one statement, Gino. I don't think that someone who has been here illegally for all their life should become a U.S. citizen just like that. Many a people I have met just like are some of the biggest dirtbags I've dealt with.

noh8rs

Gino said...

well, if they've got felonies and stuff, then i wouldnt give it to them.

as for just being dirtbags, we elect those to high office all the time.