Well, Otter, here's a place you and I disagree. I don't think immigration (legal or illegal) is that big of a problem. And we wouldn't have the numbers we do have if our activities in other countries were more just.

Ticks me off to no end the way the US gov't discriminates against same-sex couples. I just don't understand why they care?????? Or why they think it's any of their business!!!!

Law, I'm not sure I get your point. Are you saying people in other lands want to emigrate to America because America is unjust in its treatment of other lands? How does that follow?

My hats off to you SJ! I totally agree! Let's stop handing money to other nations, keep it here and work on improving ourselves (read: America's problems, poverty, homeless, etc, etc, etc)
Funny dog!

nsn, how is the US government discriminating against same sex couples? I am not arguing, I would like to be enlightened.

law, as usual, i DO agree with you, just didnt want to take up so much space here. and, yeah, i have a teeny little right in me (bruce calls it standards or values). and, i too disagree with otter (sorry). don't think it so much a problem. up here, hispanics often come to do jobs others dont want. i believe this country was built by immigrants (arent we all immigrants to some extent?), and they have as much right to try to improve their children's futures as anyone else.

yes, we started it, that i regret, and would feel the guilt. totally agree on the incest thing, and have also seen it, and sure, go on in if they are dealing crack to kids as well. i only say the sterilization thing cuz so many just WONT use birth control, or keep their knees together, and the population control isnt so much about illegals, i see single (unemployed) moms with 6 kids on maury or whatever constantly.

i was wondering (no offence to nsn) if anyone is keeping count on how many canadians are coming in?

bobber, i think same sex marriages is the issue, not couples. they should be elegible for the tax and healthcare breaks as any other married couples.

KC, what I mean is that many of the US's economic policies and big business practices have made earning a living wage in other countries impossible or close to, so people want to come here to enjoy the economic advantages that the US has helped to strip from their countries.

SJ - IMO education is always a better option. If we put half the money into prevention and early intervention that we pour into building prisons we would see some marked societal changes. Of course building prisons is much more politicallly expedient because you have the instant result factor. Education could take a generation before results are obvious.

yes to your first point. again, we are mostly immigrants ourselves. and, we were founded on religious freedom (supposedly), i don't get why the christian right is imposed on us.

on your second point, again, i agree. the problem is putting this great theory into practice. quick fixes LOOK better, politically speaking. also, tying the two together, there is so much talk of putting christian g-d back in the schools they will doubtfully allow prevention education. heck, evolution isn't allowed to be taught in many states, let alone birth control.

What ticks me off is when ILLEGAL immigrants start making demands from the govt....say.. drivers licenses, saying they deserve it. They are not suppose to be there in the first place!

I also agree that it is none of the governments business if two consenting adults sleep together and spend the rest of their lives together, no matter what sex.