420... I Got Your Immigration

As you may know, today is an international day for pot smokers. While watching the debate in Arizona about immigration, I had to believe that the two were somehow related. I have three levels of no that I use with my kids and I think we can use them in relation to the current immigration debate and happenings in Arizona.

Level 1- Negative 400- This is the lowest form of no and is used to state an obvious no. The fact that the state of Arizona is trying to pass a law that requires proof of birth for presidential candidates in future elections. This is a direct challenge to Mr. Obama and the fools that think he is not an American citizen. Negative 400.
Level 2- Negative 4000- This is the medium form of no and is used to express a bit more force. This comes to mind when the state of Arizona is on the verge of passing a law that gives police and law officers the right to stop anyone that they think is not a legal citizen. This is dangerous and gives way too much room for abuse and racial purging. Negative 4000.
Level 3- Negative 420- This is the most extreme level of no and is basically infering that the obvious answer is no and you must be smoking some good stuff to even consider the garbage in your head. This would apply to anyone that thinks that immigration is a political issue and has a simple solution based in discrimination. I have heard many republicans say that we should kick out all of the illegals. Never mind that this would destroy families and be at a financial cost that can not be conceived. This issue is an American issue and not an issue that any political party does or should own. Reagan was for amnesty and yet the tea party and modern conservatives are against it. Anyone that is pro discrimination and would enact racist policies should be told by the voters...negative 420.

Of course, there is a simple way to really affect this issue. If we could focus on the companies that hire the illegal aliens and punish the owners or managers of these companies, this issue would almost work itself out. We are punishing the wrong people. The companies hire these workers, pay them less than promised, provide no benefits and if the worker is abused or gets hurt, they have no way to file a claim against the company. There are also instances where the companies will use these workers for a few months or years and then the company will turn the workers into the INS so that they do not have to deal with any pay increases, etc. There is no punishment made to the hiring companies. Change this one issue and the immigration problem will begin to improve.

Let us persue peace and kindness and promote harmony within the United States and have pity on all humanity.