Recently I have been thinking about the possible reasons why President Bush wants open borders. Or at least seems to want them. Two reasons could be: (a) he is a free market economist and believes that a free labor force is compatible with that position, and/or (b) is a friend of big business and believes open borders allows for lower labor rates and more profits for Wall Street. Another possible reason is he believes he is liberating the oppressed from under developed Latin American countries. This would  be in line with his speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention and what he has verbalized about Afghanistan and Iraq. Of course, his reason does not have to be so noble, for another more probable reason could be to save the Hispanic vote for the Republican party. If the Republicans lose the Hispanic vote it could be decades before there is a conservative nominee in the White House or a Republican majority in Congress.

To date, I have not been too concerned with the border issue. I had often thought that it was the nature of America to be open to foreigners. We are the great melting pot where all could find an avenue to live a life of their dreams. If we were not a land of opportunity people wouldn't want to come. Yet, it is for this very reason that we owe it to the rest of the world to secure our borders and stop illegal immigration. Recent demonstrations in Los Angeles and other places show that many coming through the southern border are naturally more loyal to their home land of Mexico (or whatever country they come from) than to the U.S. In those demonstrations there were many more Mexcian flags being waved than the American stars and stripes. They come for the money and send it back to their relatives. Islamic moderates and extremists are naturally more committed to the Koran and its laws than to the constitution. Unfettered illegal immigration will bring in more and more who have no love of the U.S. or its constitution, only the love of the opportunity America provides.

Now, I am not in favor of protectionism. I do not believe we should isolate ourselves or even completely halt legal immigration. The United States of America does have much to offer the world. And, the United States can benefit from ideas and talent from the outside. But, the more we allow people in who do not espouse our beliefs and basic tenets, the more fractured we will become as a society. The more fractured we become, the less will be able to unite to defend our homeland from attack or go out to assist other countries that are being terrorized by foes of freedom and democracy. An America without secure borders is an America whittled away little by little until there is no strength or resolve to be the home of the free and the brave.

 

What is a good definition of government? Government is the official authoritative body of a locality, state, or country given the task of protecting its citizenry and regulating their activities in order to facilitate an atmosphere in which each member has the freedom and opportunity to thrive at their optimum level. It is not the role of government to make it happen but only to provide the framework by which it could happen.

Given this definition of government, what is the role of government? I believe the role of government is to insure an atmosphere in which each member of its citizenry has the opportunity to thrive at their optimum potential. Once again I do not believe it is the role of government to make every member of its citizenry equal in every way but only to provide equal opportunity for each member to reach their highest potential. Each individual member has a personal responsibility to take advantage of those opportunities as they come.

Freedom is the fundamental right of every adult living anywhere in the world. But, freedom is not necessarily the absence of physical shackles. Freedom is not necessarily the same as liberty and equally so freedom is not found in anarchy. Freedom is found in the attitude of the heart. I may be free on the outside and yet be bound to my past or to my insatiable appetites. Like Victor Frankel I may be a prisoner in the worst of all cellblocks but still free in my heart and mind, for I know that no one can choose my attitude for me. The apostle Paul wrote: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, no longer to be bound by a yoke of slavery."