There isn’t an easy way to address one of the most obvious underlying issues in this year’s presidential rhetoric. It is so inflammatory that any mention of it tends to polarize the debate even more. We avoid talking about it at work because of the fear of not being politically correct. We keep silent with our friends out of that same fear. In reality, the opposite is true: Exposing racism is the only way to combat the prejudice that brings our system down. Talking about real issues is possibly the only way to resolve problems and arrive at the truth.
In this election year, social conservatives would have us believe that a nation built of and by immigrants now sees an increasing number of Hispanic workers as a threat to “our” way of life. That is not only a contradiction in its very language, it is also somewhat naïve in its perspective. It is easy for extremist elements to whip up a frenzy about building a wall to keep “them” out, but that issue is based purely on prejudice and emotion, not on rational thinking. The historical data regarding immigration and unemployment doesn’t support the loudest reason for walling certain people out of the country. Studies have shown that there is less unemployment during times of the highest immigration. This is not to say that immigration should be unfettered, but it does suggest that we should cool down and use facts instead of sound bites to make important decisions. The line drawn between what is considered legal or illegal cannot be made on emotion.
It’s not just conservatives that operate without using their brains. Progressives respond to criticisms of President Obama with cries of “Racist!” After years of having the first African-American president in the White House, some find it difficult to move past that issue to talk about his failures without some suspicious looking eyes wondering if there isn’t some deeper motivation. Talking about that insurmountable debt being passed on to our grandchildren is apparently a sign of being racist. Well, I’ll continue to talk about it while I have breath because the color of irresponsible fiscal policy is green, not black. If not, show me how that’s being racist. On the other hand, those who are trying to paint recipients of giveaway programs as a race problem are also expressing a racist belief. We have become a nation where none of us think we have to pay for our pet programs or government hand-outs.
The only answer is a return to a more libertarian respect for the rights of every individual. Government cannot legislate or police morality. There are too many differences in the perception of what is morally correct in a diverse citizenry. Government can and should provide an opportunity for everybody on an equal basis according to their needs and abilities. It is the duty of government to protect the rights of every individual including the right to life, liberty, and property. Laws should be limited in their application to violations of the rights of others through force or fraud, or to deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm.
Enforcement of laws must be without regard to race or ethnicity of the individual!
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