Glenn Hutchinson’s blog has been delayed this month for an important announcement from a guest correspondent, Lady Liberty.
Dear Imagine 2050 Reader,
This is Lady Liberty and I’ve been kidnapped: PLEASE HELP!
I’m being held in an undisclosed location against my will. The lighting is dim. The food is terrible. And most importantly, hope is hard to find as we approach election day in November.
Who is responsible? Well, do you know Senator Apathy?
That’s right, Senator Apathy is representative of the 111th Congress who has refused to pass meaningful immigration reform. Sure, they had a full plate: the bailout of the bankers, health care, and so on. But with that said, Senator Apathy has taken me hostage.
Let me explain.
Since 1996, the IRS has collected income tax from undocumented immigrants using Individual Tax ID Numbers. It’s like a social security number. So, undocumented people pay about 7 billion dollars a year to Social Security.
Let me repeat that: millions of undocumented people pay taxes but cannot be citizens. What does Senator Apathy do?
Nothing.
Young people are going on hunger strikes so that Congress will act. Senator Apathy’s friend, Senator Hagan of North Carolina, has refused to support the DREAM ACT even after three students went on a two week hunger strike near Hagan’s office in Raleigh. They wanted Sen. Hagan to support the Dream Act, legislation that would give hope to 1.5 million undocumented young people, many of whom are students. Sen. Hagan did nothing. And Senator Apathy?
Nothing.
Even though President Obama has pushed for immigration reform, the Senator is silent — like most of Congress. Why can’t these tax-payers become citizens?
But friends, let me tell you what’s worse: Sen. Graham of SC and other Republicans want to change the Constitution and end birthright citizenship, the 14th amendment! They don’t believe everyone should be a citizen, particularly the ones with brown skin. Many of them seem to be echoing the views of the anti-immigrant movement and hate groups like FAIR.
Lady Liberty sometimes thinks this is all a bad dream. But no. These politicians are serious — seriously doing nothing or worse than nothing.
But as I sit here in this tiny room, writing you, reader, this letter, I do have hope. Do you?
We are a nation of immigrants. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
We have to help Senator Apathy and his friends remember this.
Please HELP me.
As of September 8th, the NUMBER OF DAYS the 111th CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO PASS IMMIGRATION REFORM: 598 DAYS
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SENATOR & TELL HIM/HER TO RESCUE LIBERTY!
So that I can be free. And more importantly, millions of people can be free too.
Sincerely,
L.L.
(Lady Liberty)