Illegal Immigration: Life Lesson in the Making

I’ve recently observed a proposal that in exchange for U.S. citizenship, illegal aliens be given the opportunity to earn citizenship through a short stint in the armed services. I have to admit, at first thought I am perplexed. I’m not of the mind that service in the Army should be utilized as a sentence (for troubled youth) or domestic admission for citizenship. On the other hand, if those who so disparately value a life in the U.S. that they brave the searing sun over 100 miles for a job, then I would be willing to give them this opportunity in order to earn what they demonstrate is valuable to them.

If given the opportunity, would they even share the thought that they hold that much value for life in the U.S. Or, would they continue to balk at any thought where citizenship would come at a cost.

Defenders voice that illegal aliens “pay taxes”. Well the truth is they do and they don’t. They pay taxes on the products that they buy. Great, that’s appreciated, but to be perfectly honest, there is no way around it. You can’t go to McDonalds and decline to pay the tax. But like the border, they pursue any means by which they can escape income tax, which every law abiding U.S. citizen must pay. When U.S. citizens do not pay the appropriate income tax, they then experience the force of the law upon them to encourage them to become compliant.

Nobody is asking that the illegal be forced to follow anything rules or processes that any other U.S. citizen doesn’t already do. But they are asking (even demanding) every freedom that U.S. citizens enjoy but continue to try to circumvent what those costs are.

In the end, I have the opinion that I am for such alternatives to U.S. citizenship for illegal aliens. However, I already fear for the headline which would read: “Army Generals Racist: Consistently send Hispanic Citizenship Enlistees to the front lines.” I think I read something similar in a history book somewhere. Might have had something to do with the Vietnam War and African American soldiers.
History repeats itself when we (earth inhabitants) fail to learn the appropriate Life Lesson, until we get it right.

To Tax or Not to Tax

The NBA will now be in charge of seeking a public/private funding deal for a new stadium in Sacramento.

“The billionaire Maloofs have been roundly criticized by local taxpayers’ groups for seeking public funding for a proposed multi-use arena in downtown Sacramento or north of town near Arco Arena, the Kings’ aging current home.

…they have requested that we take a leadership role in helping them achieve that goal,” Stern said.

I give Stern and all professional sport organizations are resounding Phfffbt!

Granted, professions sport owners, for the majority are not in the business of owning stadiums. I understand that. I understand that the concerts and monster truck pulls that are held in those arenas are not what a professional sport owner wants to have to deal with.

What those same owners lack in perspective, is that they need to prove to the public that if the public puts money up for a stadium, at least an equal or greater portion of the money the owners are looking to increase into their wallets also makes it into the public economy.

The public shouldn’t be expected to be in the practice supporting owners making more money while the public gets stuck with increased taxes and a big thank you for increased ticket prices, parking, hotels, etc.

I can tell from experience, that as an AZ resident, I feel like walking around with a sign which says “Sucker” as it relates to the great deal we just gave the Cardinals. We just gave the Cardinals a brand new stadium, gave them the naming rights, the parking revenue, a sold out season, and a whole lot more… in return:

…A 1-8 team (as of Nov 15^th) which is $10 million UNDER the salary cap BEFORE all the great revenue the team should make this year.

Maybe an amendment should be made to the Fans Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Professional franchise owners should beware that they don’t push their main revenue stream away. While the real money is in the TV contracts, what would that broadcast look like if there were no fans in the room?