Everything's free in America for a small fee.  So say the Stephen Sondheim lyrics of 'America' in West Side Story.   Isn't this the basic idea behind guest worker programs for otherwise illegal immigrants?  From the White House to the statehouses of the affected border states, the problem is documenting undocumented workers. 

For a small fee, these programs call for virtual amnesty to lawbreakers.  These poor people flee their own Latin American countries to find a better life.  Who can blame them for that?  However, we, as a nation, can blame the banana republics in the Southern Hemisphere which have no plan for economic prosperity other than sucking on the teat of American wealth.

A few months ago, Arizona's Maricopa County Attorney, Andrew Thomas, hosted the first Southwest Conference on Illegal Immigration, Border Security and Crime.  Unlike Arizona Governor Napolitano's 2005 conference on border issues, the Southwest Conference was open to the public and featured many nationally—known experts.  This Conference would benefit the election process should it return prior to the gubernatorial election this November.  In her State of the State speech this week, Napolitano vowed to get tough on all things illegal.  Great, where have you been, Governor, during the first three years of your administration? 

Napolitano said,

"We will strengthen the border with the people and equipment we need to fight crime and increase border security for lawful commerce, tourism and legal immigration." 

These words were spoken a few weeks after she said this in response to the U.S. House of Representatives approval of a security fence along the border:

"You show me a 50—foot wall, and I'll show you a 51—foot ladder at the border. That's the way the border works." 

Is that how the border works?  Right now, anyone can just walk across to gain illegal entry.  At least with the fence, lawbreakers will have to find a 51 foot ladder. 

Will Arizona Republicans allow Napolitano to win re—election by stealing their agenda to strengthen the border?  Napolitano learned political manipulation from the best in the business...Bill and Hillary Clinton.  She was appointed by Clinton to serve as United States Attorney for the District of Arizona in 1993.  Furthermore, she has been aided by a left—leaning Arizona Republic.  The Gannett News Service—owned daily has made it its purpose to turn this traditional conservative state into a blue—state liberal reservoir of the Desert West.  It's up to conservative lawmakers and the general public to not be hoodwinked by these forces of deception. 

The truth is, under Governor Napolitano, Arizona has become a leader in crime statistics and as an entry point for illegal border crossings.  Are the two related?  Does the sun rise in the East and set in the West?  From East to West, who doubts that the greatest threat to American security comes from our largely unprotected borders?  Clever political speeches and empty policy rhetoric will not get the job done.  The America people, including legal immigrants, need to demand of its leaders that it be protected at all costs...remember, everything's free in America for a small fee.  If the cost of securing the border is a lip—service Governor losing her job, so be it.  

And here's a word for those Central and South American countries 'demanding' that we declare their immigrants legal while continuing to allow our borders to be largely open: 'Nyet.'  Hey, it worked for Reagan in the Cold War.

J. James Estrada   1 12 06