Illegal Aliens and the Fair Tax

Illegal aliens are not "undocumented workers". For the most part, they have crossed the border without going through Customs, or have come through Customs but their green card has expired. I am not concerned with people who have entered America with the intent to perform terrorist acts. That is an entirely different issue.

The illegal aliens I am concerned with are those who work mostly in the agriculture and construction industries. They work as pickers, day laborers, gardners, housekeepers and maids; any job where the employer is willing to turn a blind eye toward immigration status. They are the women who come here to give birth to an American citizen and then to claim all the benefits of being the parent of a citizen.

I know why they come to America. Most come here because they can make more money in a day here than they can in a week or even a month in their home country. They want to make a better life for themselves and their families. God Bless them for that. It's what any parent wants to do for their kids - provide the means for a better future. And that they think that America is the Land of Opportunity makes my heart swell with pride.

However, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Somebody has to pay the price. And while it's not easy for the illegal alien who has to "fly under the radar" and be careful who they associate with and what jobs they take, they are not paying the full fare for their stay in our country. It's you and me and every tax payer who pays the fare for the illegal alien. Look around your town or city. Is the increase in population due to blackouts (higher birth rates nine months later), people looking for a better job market, or because more illegal aliens have moved into the area? When the population goes up, more services are required. We pay for those services through our tax dollars. Every year your local taxes have to go up because more police officers and firemen have to be hired because of the rising population. More roads are needed or maybe need repair. Your local hospital has increase it's services, more schools have to be built requiring more teachers.

The population goes up, but the tax base doesn't necessarily increase to go along with the rising population. Illegal aliens don't pay property taxes, they don't pay school taxes, and they don't pay income taxes. But they use the services all these taxes provide. Eventually, they will apply (not all, I am generalizing, but I know it doesn't apply to all) for welfare and Social Security benefits. Then there are those who are arrested for breaking other laws and jailed. The inmate population rises every year and more and more are illegal aliens.

Why should we cater to people who are flagrantly, willfully, and wontonly breaking the law of our country and allow them to steal services from us? By allowing them to be here illegally, and then to give them amnesty we are rewarding bad behavior. Would you allow your child to steal money from your wallet and then give them your debit card and PIN number?

I am not unfeeling. I understand why they come here. And I want to help them become citizens. I only want them to be here legally. They can be proud of themselves. They don't even have to become citizens. That's okay with me. Live here, work here, send money home. Just be here legally. If they are legal they can pay taxes and help the economy that way.

And speaking of helping the economy, there is one way that even illegal aliens can pay their fair share. If we lived under the Fair Tax instead of the Income Tax, illegal aliens would pay taxes when they buy food, groceries and gasoline. Just like you and I would.

By being here legally, all immigrants (did you notice I now call them immigrants and not "illegal aliens"?) will be able to avail themselves of what you and I can. Now they are paying taxes just like you and I do.

Under the Fair Tax, we can welcome people from all nations to America, which will truly be the Land of Opportunity. For immigrants and for her citizens.

The Fair Tax. An idea whose time has come.