Immigration debate diverts attention from 'real issue': switch to fair tax
Editor:
There has been a lot of discussion regarding immigration lately. We must realize we are at a fork in the road concerning immigration, and we have two clear choices: 1) send all illegal immigrants back, or 2) tighten the borders, pass a fair tax and implement a process to identify all current illegal aliens.
Everyone I have talked with regarding this has stated there is no way to send them all back. So answer No. 2 is the only logical thing that will work, but it is not so easy. Unless we put hard pressure on Congress and the president it will not happen. Congress will tell us they voted for this immigration bill and that immigration bill, voted for this tax cut and that tax cut, but when the dust is all settled - there will be nothing accomplished.
I commend U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood and Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss for voting the way they have. But at the end of the day we net nothing! The two major items Congress does is pass tax laws and spend money. Yes, there are some other things, but these two take up 80 percent of their time. If we went to a fair tax we would free up nearly 40 percent of their time to focus on real issues: health care, jobs, protecting our Judeo-Christian heritage and beliefs, just to mention a few. No more lobbying for this tax break or that tax break. Everyone pays the same percentage of what they spend.
I firmly believe the current immigration discussion is throwing us off the real issue. We need a fair and simple tax code and to tighten border security. Get these two things done. Then start the process of identifying illegal aliens and deal with them accordingly. If they are undesirable - i.e., criminals and the like - send them back from whence they come. The rest, get them on the path to the American Dream; all the while they will all be paying taxes, henceforth, helping you and I pay for the joys of freedom we all cherish.
I urge you to contact your representatives and senators and request two things from them: 1) pass a fair tax; and, 2) tighten the borders. Tell them you do not want just a vote, but a vote that results in action! Fortunately our representatives and senators are on board. It is the rest of the knuckleheads that need a dose of reality. So write them or call them and voice your concerns.
Lee Muns
Martinez
(Lee Muns is the chairman of the Columbia County Republican Party.)