An interesting dilemma has appeared with the 2020
census. Do we count illegal aliens, people
who – according to law – should not be in the country?
The President just directed the census not to count illegal
aliens.
The census gives important direction to government. The U. S. government is the biggest employer
and purchaser in the United States. Where
government money is spent or allocated depends partly on the census figures. It counts both for numbers of people and what
particular things different areas need. It may be, for example, that there are more
unemployed and disabled people in Eastern Kentucky than on Long Island. Knowing that gives a government that cares
some direction.
Also, census numbers control the numbers of states’ seats in
the House of Representatives. Every
state has two senators. And every state
has at least one Representative. The House membership is capped by law at
435. (This is a law, not part of the Constitution.)
One-person-one-vote is a part of Constitutional law. If a Congressional District differs from
another in the same state by 1% population, it will be voided because it violates
one-person-one-vote. Bear that in
mind. Now it gets odd.
Montana has about 1,050,000 people. A similar state in population is Rhode Island,
which has 1,059,000 people. The “Average”
congressional district based on the 2010 census is 747,000.
Montana has one Representative.
Rhode Island has two Representatives.
So a Montanan’s votes count for half what a Rhode Islandite’s
does.
So, by counting illegal aliens, we are affecting both where
the money goes and the power of votes in that state.
The arguments:
Illegal aliens are people, too. And they are here. Some of them have a good (if illegal) reason
to be here. If they go to the hospital
with a heart attack, they are not going to be turned away.
Illegal aliens are here, well, illegally. Counting
them detracts tax money from the
citizens who pay it and affects the citizens power to vote. (It is a false notion that the inclusion
always favors one party. It all depends
on where they are counted.)
So much for balancing the arguments as best I can. I think we should not count them. We cannot ignore illegality and keep functioning
as a society.
I further believe that if we don’t get a smooth and not-too-difficult
path to responsible citizenship for current aliens, we need to dismantle the
Statue of Liberty. The poetry is starting
to ring false: “Give me your tired, your
poor; Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free; The wretched refuse of your
teaming shore: Send them – The homeless tempest tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door.”
I wonder: Can we have a rational discussion without damning the ones who don't agree wth us?
Mizpah!
No, I did not have to look up the poetry. If I got it wrong, I can live with that. R
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