Why can't we all just get along?

Today's "huh?" topic is immigration. Or to be more specific, the new AZ immigration law, SB1070. As almost anyone who has picked up a paper knows, this is law is making quite a stir both within and outside of the state. Coming from the east coast, I have to admit, I wasn't sure what all the hubbub was about and decided like any good citizen, to go and find out what the issues on both sides are.

Silly me, I thought there would be rational arguments and rational people on both sides of the issue. I would then be able to evaluate all the facts and make up my mind based on which arguments had the most merit. How naive! First off, most of the people, regardless of which side of the issue they are on, have not even read the law. I'm sorry, but I think that if you're going to argue about a law, you should at least know what it says. Fortunately the local paper out here published the entire bill, which I read. Here's what I got out of it:

1. If you are stopped for violating a law then you can be asked whether or not you are in the country legally. If you can not produce documentation to show you are here legally, like a driver's license or visa, then you will be turned over to the federal authorities to determine your immigration status.

2. Arizona officials will uphold all federal immigration laws and won't enact any laws that contradict with federal ones. They will also assist federal officers if so asked.

3. Police officers can stop you for violating traffic laws and other local ordinances.

Hmmm....let me see if I understand. If you are already violating the law, then the police can determine if you are violating the law further by asking if you are here legally (couldn't they do this anyway?); Arizona can not enact any laws contrary to federal laws (which we also couldn't do because they would be thrown out at the federal level); and if you are doing something illegal, the police can stop you (duh). Is it just me or is this law a non-issue? It doesn't espouse anything different than what was already in place and what we are already doing.

The real issue here is the issue of people coming into the United States illegally and this law is just the rallying flag for both camps. And why would people want to do that? What would make people leave their friends, family, homes, everything they've ever known, and come to a place where they don't speak the language, don't have a job, and virtually no one wants them here? Could it be that they want to feed themselves and their families? I mean think about it, what kind of circumstances would make you consider this option and risk everything to come to a foreign country? Things would have to be pretty damn bad, wouldn't they?

Now you all know of my love for cats (or do now). My husband points out that as much as I love cats and want to give them all food and a loving home, that we can't just adopt them all. That if I tried, I couldn't take proper care of the ones I have. So I get it - we can't just open our borders and let everybody come on over. So what can we do? Here's an idea - how about we help solve the problems in Mexico so that people don't feel compelled to leave! And I'm not talking about government intervention here (after all, look at how well we've done in Iraq with that strategy), but with the very thing that makes America work so well, capitalism.

Here's what I mean. Not too long ago, residents of the Oaxacan province of Mexico were emigrating like crazy. Why? Same thing we've got going now in the rest of Mexico - poverty, no food, no jobs, no way for people to support their families. Now it's a thriving province with jobs and a profitable tourist trade. What changed? Businessmen, American and others, invested in the area bringing the local crafts of the area, like woodcarvings and pottery, to American collectors. This is the ultimate win-win story. The local people got to preserve their heritage and indigenous crafts while keeping their families together. They also got jobs and a way to support their families. American collectors got wonderful new art pieces and the businessman got a healthy return on their investment. So why can't we take this model and apply it in other areas? Why can't we find a way to help others find a way to be economically prosperous and help ourselves and the immigration problem all at the same time?

Perhaps I really am naive, but ultimately I think the solution lies in understanding what others need and helping them achieve that. We don't need to be altruistic, this can serve our own interests. But in looking for ways to help everybody, I think we can ultimately solve the problem without the need for laws and violence.

Just a thought.....

Where to start...

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the why of things and actually been getting quite depressed because I can't seem to figure out any of life's bigger questions. I thought maybe writing them down would help, as would getting some other perspectives - maybe someone has even figured some of this stuff out.

I remember the Morlock in 'Time Machine' saying that the ultimate self destructive question was "what if." I think it's "why." For instance, I don't understand why religion is such a big dividing point among people. Millions (billions?) of people have died, lands destoyed, lives ruined all in the name of who we call God and how we worship Him/Her/Them. Why is this? Why can't we just respect one another's beliefs and move on? Why do we as humans feel the need to foist our beliefs on others and kill them if they don't accept them? You see what I mean about the tough questions....

Why do we make distinctions about people based on the color of their skin or any other physical characteristic? Other animals don't do this. Cats don't exclude one another from their colonies because of fur color or because one has a smooshed nose and another doesn't. Dogs don't form packs based on breed or color. Why do we? What makes humans think that any physical characteristic would make someone better or worse than anyone else - or for that matter, more or less human?

I do believe in a Creator. I'm just trying to understand why He/She/It/Them would make us this way. What purpose does it serve? Science has shown us that all animals adopt behaviors and attitudes for their own benefit or the benefit of their species - but I'll be damned if I can figure out the benefit in so much hate and violence in the world.

Maybe I'll talk about politics next - its bound to be easier....