> > Even annexation has it's merits. Thank of all the problems we could have avoided it we annexed Mexico. We could change New Mexico to North Mexico, and make Mexico a state called South Mexico. Or we could have combined it with Texas and put the names together to have Texico. No, I think that name is already taken.
> > Howard
>
> As a side bonus, annexing Mexico would get rid of most of the illegal immigration. But why stop there? We should annex Canada--that's a piece of unfinished business from the War of 1812. Getting both countries would give us the 51st-60th states. Plus, it would clean up the map of North America and make it much more tidy.

That was what I was thinking about when I said, "Think of all the problems we could have avoided."

Caution; Rambling ahead.

That's a hot issue right now, but I seem to be looking at it a little differently from most of the people I've heard. Like all complicated problems there are a number of issues involved.

Human rights - How can we deny our neighbors the right to "life liberty and the pursuit of happiness?"

Taxes - If you earn money in this country, you should pay taxes on it.

History - This world doesn't need another Berlin Wall.

Ethics - If Mexicans come here to work, pay taxes and send money back to their families, they should have an easy, legal way to cross the border.

Common sense - If they come here for welfare, and free health care, they should run into legal roadblocks.

Citizenship - If you are born in the USA, it has never mattered where you parents came from or if they are here legally or illegally. You are a citizen. I don't think my ancestors had a green card in 1660.

When I hear somebody saying that we need to build a wall and mount machine guns on top, I want to ask them what they would do if they lived in a dirt-floor shack on little or no income, and just across the river they see people living in luxury. I know what I would do.
Howard