Blog: The Illusion of Choice - Immigration Edition

Statement

The two media touted candidates are now fighting over an issue that, on the surface, they seem to disagree on; immigration. On one side, the current Governor supports the idea that the State should offer in-state tuition for those here in the state illegally. Essentially, he is providing more incentive for breaking the law. On the other side, the former Governor says he is against this type of action and has labeled Maryland as a sanctuary state.

But a closer look at the issue shows that both have funded Casa de Maryland during their reigns as Governor, and both are against bringing legislation to this state that will identify those who are here illegally. So what really is the difference here?

Once again, it is a choice between two nearly identical and equally offensive sets of ideals.

Let's push aside the rhetoric and look at the facts. Both are in favor of using tax payer money to promote and basically grant favor to functions that government shouldn't be involved in at all and the shining example here is the Casa de Maryland organization. Where does the government derive the right to take money from one group of people and give it to another? What's worse is that it is for services that will not be rendered back to the group that gave the money in the first place. I know that I am not totally alone in opposing this type of thinking because wise men long ago agreed with this sentiment, in fact one said; "To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.' I'll allow Thomas Jefferson's words to illustrate what classification of leadership both of the Candidates who have held the position should be labeled with…

Next is enforcement. In this, it is hard to decipher where either candidate really stands. The current Governor is quoted in the article as having said that he is "against it' in regards to illegal immigration yet at the same time is for subsidizing it indirectly with your taxes. The former Governor, according to the article, has slightly more rhetoric against illegal immigration but falls short in his willingness to pass any legislation with teeth to address the issue. He plays lip service to Sheriff Jenkins program from the sidelines but doesn't want to upset a voting bloc while he is pandering to get voted back into the mansion.

Here is the truth that you will not get from either of these similar individuals. If you want to stop illegal immigration and return equality and fairness to the state at the same time, the solution is simple; remove the incentive. You cannot give away everything to everyone. If you make handouts your policy, you will naturally increase the number of outstretched hands. People in Maryland travel to Delaware to get tax-free shopping, why wouldn't people travel from places outside of the united States for what, to them, is tax-free services? Except this stuff isn't free, as nothing ever is. All of these goodies come on the backs of taxpayers of the state. It is bad enough that these candidates perpetuate a cycle of taxing and spending that ideologically leads to the acceptance of socialism and practically leads the state to bankruptcy. However, it is worse when these benefits are extended to those who don't even pay into the system and therefore contributing, by some estimates, an additional 1.4 billion dollars of deficit (it is worth noting that the deficit currently stands around 2 billion).

Neither of these two Candidates is willing to give up the power that comes with the belief that Government is here to provide for you and the taxes that pay for it. Their records indicate that they follow the ideology that Government is supposed to do this to us, and their candidacies indicate that they think they are the ones best suited to be in control of that type of absolute power. Alexis de Tocqueville stated, "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.' This warning applies to the State as well. This failed idea that Government should allocate our funds in all facets of our lives has led us to this financial crisis within the state and has us squabbling over who should receive and who should not. Let's come to our senses and attack the problem, not tweak the symptom.

As far as finding the law breakers (those here illegally) let's take a rational approach to this. One of the major functions of Government is to protect the rights of the citizens of the State, like the right to privacy, which shouldn't be eroded for any reason. Any law that would give the State the power to inquire into someone's immigration status should be balanced against the right of a law abiding citizen to live free of government scrutiny. If we pass a law or grant authorities the power to check the immigration status of anyone charged with a crime, the potential of an increase in "fishing expeditions' is likely and will lead to many abuses. I support the efforts of Sheriff Jenkins for taking on a job that many others pass on. Sheriff Jenkins does not have "an [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] unit that is going around the streets rounding people up' and I believe this is because his unit has very advanced training to prevent misuse. The State should also have a similar check on immigration status, at the very least during the trial process. The decision can be made then whether to drop the charges and deport or prosecute and incarcerate.

This irresponsible leadership should stop promoting bad behavior by taking away from hard working people to give to those who refuse to work, and those who are here illegally. Not only will this solve the immigration issue but it will also solve the welfare problem which merely perpetuates generations of poor people. With more money in the hands of the people and less in the clutches of the State, commerce and circulation of money will once again be allowed to happen. This is the only economic policy that will create jobs that people desperately need now to not only be able to support themselves and their families, but to also regain their dignity.

This is leadership you will not get from the micro-management, big tax-big spend, candidates who have held the position and believe that you are not capable and that they know how to run your lives better than you do. What they fail to see or refuse to acknowledge is that this type of spending cannot go on forever and in their efforts to be the great provider, they will drive this State off a cliff economically.

I say it's time for new leadership. Not the same old managers.

Eric Delano Knowles

Constitution Party Gubernatorial Candidate

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