Immigration

Possibly the most controversial issue of our time is what to do with the thousands of illegal immigrants streaming across our borders. Most likely, this is because of the thousands of options possible to change the situation. With such a complex issue, no one is right. The simplest solution: make our legal immigration system more efficient.

The immigration system in the modern United States is, like many systems, outdated. It is imperative that we increase its efficiency before confronting illegal immigration. In my opinion, to become a U.S. citizen, people should be required to (in steps):

1. Apply for registration.

2. Have lived (i.e. owned property) and worked in the U.S. for at least one month.

3. Pass the mandatory background check.

4. Learn English.

Hopefully, this would cause immigration to be a smoother process. The background check will rule out undesirables.

If you are wondering why this post is short (my one subscriber), it is because I believe that immigration is a rather minor issue. I am hoping that Barrack Obama places the environment over immigration in his reform agenda, due to the recent oil spill. 

The Issues in Review

I'm not perfect. If so, then I wouldn't have forgotten these important tidbits from the last three posts. I plan to do this continually to add new items, every four posts (not counting the first).

The Environment:

Most of the paradoxes only occur when everyone performs those certain activities. The reason why local foods is a paradox is because the countries that produce the non-local grapes and etc. would revert to slash-and-burn farming if their livelihood were suddenly taken away. However, recycling and buying fluorescent lightbulbs is something I high recommend. If possible, attach solar panels or a wind turbine somewhere on your house. Try to help any way you can, without causing paradoxes. In other words, think deeply about the consequences of your actions.

Government and the Economy:

Lawyers should be a governmental service. Big business should be robbed of the advantage of having armies of lawyers. Furthermore, people in non-legislative agencies (CIA, USDA, etc.) should be non-partisan and unbiased. No USDA employees should work for businesses they formerly worked for. In other words, the United States must not become a corporatocracy. Even more simply, business should be completely separate from government.
   
The voting age should be lowered to 14. I don't really care if my guy doesn't win the election; I just want a chance to actually decide governmental policy.

Senators and representatives should also be much more approachable (i.e. via email and telephone). It is horribly unfair that businesses can lobby and bribe officials into their point of view. Why can't I?

National Security:

The United States must not turn into a police state. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. No one should be constantly suspected to be a terrorist, and the benefit of the doubt must always be given.

Also, I feel anger at the stupid people who would ruin the reputation of an entire society through their selfish acts. Islam is not a religion promoting self-destruction (I'm Jewish). It is unfair to discriminate against Muslims because of the stupidity of extremists.

-The Inspective Nudibranch (AKA Ian Fries)

P.S. Pegasus Class of 2010 please find me. That means you Tiana, Douglas, and Louisa! Mr. Conti can't be my only follower. I crave intelligent conversation

National Security

We live in a world more akin to a roulette wheel than anything else. Everything has probability, and nothing more so than the chance of a terrorist attack. How we protect ourselves is a major issue in the United States.

However, it should be noted that if you can design a security system, someone can beat it. There are most likely billions of ways to get past a security checkpoint at an airport. No matter how much money we spend on security, there will always be some nut who can break through the system.

Before we consult security, though, we must explain exactly what the goal of terrorism is. Terrorism is designed to cause terror; if every time some extremist decides that he can put M80s in the Times Square (yes, I am referring to the event earlier this year) to frighten America, we have lost the "War on Terror." Importantly, though, the man who tried to blow up Times Square simply wanted to prove a point. Therefore, American government should be more open to suggestion from the common people.

Security also costs valuable money. Al-Qaeda's stated goal is to ruin the United States financially. Through two wars and the constant increase of security, they are succeeding. Furthermore, increasing security takes away from personal rights. The most insulting thing the government can do to you, in my opinion, is to always assume you are a criminal. Not only is this unfair, it goes against the constitutional right that you maintain innocence until proven guilty. I feel that airport security does this to me. I have no desire to blow up a plane, and I don't believe I ever will. Furthermore, just because some idiot tried to travel by plane with a bomb in his shoe shouldn't mean everyone must take off their shoes when they go through security, and the same idea for water bottles, and so on.

What can the United States, then, do to improve security? First of all, find every flaw (i.e. every person mistaken for a terrorist) in security. The security system should be 99.99% accurate. No one who isn't a terrorist should be not allowed to fly. To prevent another underware bomber incident, international security agencies must maintain contact to prevent black-listed men and women from flying. Overall, security needs a huge update in technology.