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The nation’s most pressing issue: Driver’s licenses

By Patrick Osio, Jr./HispanicVista.com

  November 25, 2007

 

 

The nation’s most pressing issue: Driver’s licenses

By Patrick Osio, Jr.

Watching the Nevada Democratic Party presidential debate, I learned that apparently the most pressing issue facing the US is whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to have driver’s licenses. On the Republican debates and numerous appearances on a variety of TV or radio commentary programs, the single most important issue in the minds of the program hosts and candidates regards illegal immigrants and the failure of the government to seal the US border allowing terrorists free passage along with illegal immigrants.

Like most Americans I do consider illegal immigration a serious issue that needs to be rectified. But, is it the most pressing issue facing the nation?

Is it above the apparent heading for bankruptcy of our Social Security funds at a time when over 10,000 people a day are entering retirement age - due to the high cost of living and the inability of our people to save for retirement?

Does it take precedence over the issue that 35 million Americans are going hungry? That over 12 percent of the US population lives in poverty?

Is it’s more important than the global war on terrorism - Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan – air, sea ports and coastal security – northern and southern border security?

Is it more serious than the critical energy crisis we face and getting worse - the rising cost of gasoline and heating fuel?

Does it pale compared to the deterioration of the nation’s infrastructure – highways, bridges, dikes and dams?

Does it tower over inaccessible access of affordable health care by 47 million Americans?

It is more crucial than the poor state of our educational system?

It is of greater significance than the moral corruption practiced by most of our elected officials in their exercise of “pork barrel” inclusions, personal use of political contributions, providing favors in exchange for political contribution?

I had not measured the issue of illegal immigration as the most serious problem facing the nation, but since it apparently is and it will be the wedge issue of the coming presidential and congressional campaigns, it deserves a closer look.

As of November 14, 2007, the U.S. Bureau of the Census estimates the US population at 303,366,840. The illegal immigration population at the end of fiscal year 2007 is estimated at 12,000,000 representing 3.39% of the total population. Illegal immigrants from Mexico are estimated to be 6,900,000 or 2.27% of the US population and 5,100,000 from countries other than Mexico. Or 296,466,840 in the US are not illegal immigrants from Mexico.

I use the Mexican illegal immigrant percentage because 99% the diatribe regarding the issue is directed at that one sector.

According to things we hear, the Mexicans are responsible for the deterioration of our national health and medical services; the poor state of our educational system; they keep the poor poorer; they take jobs away from Americans; terrorists are entering among them through Mexico; the highways and streets are not safe with their driving without licenses and insurance.

The more draconian, exaggerated and in many cases untrue charges include that Mexican illegal immigrants make up the majority of prisoners thus committing the most crimes, are the greatest welfare recipients, free medical users and many or most are terrorists.

That is quite a load for people who as a majority are simply here to work and support their families. And what an impact they must be making to have their status in the US be the “wedge” issue in a presidential campaign. Frankly I find myself at a loss to explain how it is that 2.27% of the total US population can wrought such destruction on the US.

NBC/WSJ survey (Nov. 2007) indicates that 67% of voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction; that 57% believe the US is in a state of decline: that 68% of surveyed voters disapprove of Congressional effectiveness and ability.

So one must ask, is illegal immigration a well orchestrated political conspiracy played out by members of both parties to keep voters in fear, anger and focused on one issue instead of demanding candidates provide precise answers and programs for the most important issues facing the nation – including a workable immigration reform program?

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 Patrick Osio, Jr is the editor of HispanicVista.com (http://www.hispanicvista.com).  Contact at: PosioJr@hispanicvista.com

(The opinions expressed by Patrick Osio, Jr. are solely his and do not necessarily reflect those of HispanicVista.com, editorial board of advisors or it’s contributing writers.)

Patrick Osio, Jr. has written a short but intensive manual on the Mexican perspective on numerous issues between our two countries. The manual is an in depth primer on the culture and protocol for better understanding Mexicans that in turn allows establishing personal and business relationships, and how to avoid the most common faux pas that can ruin relationships and business deals.

The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 making it possible to download the manual for save on your hard drive, printing its entirety or particular sections while reaping considerable savings over printed copies.