Steve Farrell
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004

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  What a joy to serve these wonderful people. I have a special love for them. Their language is musical, their dress colorful, their smiles friendly, their simplicity down to earth, their work ethic marvelous. Many of them have a humility about them that puts to shame the average gringo.

I’m glad they are here. I rejoice in the opportunities it brings for their families. I hope I can contribute to making their citizenship in America permanent, successful and happy. I hope they feel at home and loved as equals.

But like any group, white, black or brown, every Hispanic is not a saint, and some of them — in fact, far too many of them — have pushed the envelope of legality and decency so far that they have worn out their welcome. I’m talking about the illegals; I’m talking about those who have come to America not to be contributors, but who are thugs, thieves, liars and leeches.

Harsh words, I know – but we can’t turn a blind eye to the dark side in every group simply because it’s politically correct to do so. I don’t know, maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I would think it would be politically correct to uphold the law, as per the oath of office every political official takes.

How about that? How about thinking about how nonsensical it is to reward lawlessness and laziness with perks? How about thinking about how downright dangerous it is to embrace everyone for who they are, even when who they are is the neighborhood Pancho Villa?

Come on. This isn’t right, and a hue and cry is rising in population centers most affected by these idiotic policies, even among fellow Hispanics.

Fifty-six percent of Arizonans, for instance, mirrored an earlier referendum in California during the Clinton years when they said no to government handouts for illegals. Among Hispanics, 47 percent joined in the protest.

It’s time for our state and national governments to listen, and act, and stop handing us a litany of lame excuses.

They claim that illegals are all here to work. Well, admittedly, it must take a lot of work to sneak in, to hide their illegal status, to apply for and secure a variety of government perks.

But if they really want to work, let them prove their work ethic by going through the same legal process millions of other Hispanics have. It’s hard work too. But it’s worth becoming an American the legal way, the honorable way, isn’t it?

The claim is that they seek a better way of life. All right, let them start by acting like men and women of integrity, by obeying the law. Isn’t that better?

The claim is they are doing work that other Americans won’t do. Says who? How about welfare recipients? I thought Republicans were in favor of workfare. Let see the proof. Or how about teenagers who need after-school and summer employment? My kids need work. How about yours?

The claim is that the pay is low. I beg to differ. The cost in free services and imprisonment, after tax contributions, tops $40,000 per illegal per year (amazingly, roughly 1/3 of all federal prisoners are here illegally). Give those tax dollars back to the people and let’s see how THAT impacts salaries.

The claim is that immigrants make the most loyal citizens. Historically, that may be true. But how can that be equally true of those whose first act is an act of defiance against our laws, and whose second act is a demand for a handout?

No wonder such a disproportionate percentage of them fulfill their next demand with a pistol in hand. Lawbreakers do seem to move up the ladder, now don’t they?

What is it about this picture that isn’t crystal clear? You’re not going to transform lazy lawbreakers into productive and law-abiding citizens just because you grant them amnesty. Chances are you’ll embolden them to do more of the same, with more devastating results.

I love the Hispanic people. Most of them are the salt of the earth. But just as I would say of a law-breaking drug-using relative within my own family — and I have had to say this — tough love is the best answer for the lawless, regardless of race or family association. Don’t give them free perks; don’t grant them amnesty. Deport them en masse, and let them learn from their mistakes and grow up.

NewsMax Pundit Steve Farrell is an associate professor of political economy, press agent for Defend Marriage (a project of United Families International), and the author of the highly praised inspirational novel “Dark Rose” (available at Amazon.com).

For you West Coast night owls, every Monday you can catch Steve on Mark Edwards' "Wake up America!" show on 50,000-Watt KDWN, 720 AM, 10 p.m. to midnight.

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