Defending The Donald

In an ideal world there would be no borders. As a Libertarian I believe that people everywhere should be free to go anywhere, live anywhere, earn a living anywhere, anytime on this planet. Passports, visas and personal identification should not be necessary. No authority should be empowered to ask to “see your papers.” The world belongs to everyone and should be free.

But this is not and never has been an ideal world. Perhaps a time will come when the entire world will be free, and all people will be privileged to go and stay wherever they like. There would be no such thing as an “illegal immigrant.” But for now, that concept is a pipe dream. There are far too many people amongst us who would abuse that privilege – criminals, takers, terrorists and such.

That’s what I think Donald Trump was talking about during his presidential candidate announcement speech when he told his audience the simple truth about the necessity to keep bad people from Mexico and other places crossing the US border without our permission.

“The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems,” said Trump. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you, (pointing to the crowd). They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people... But I speak to border guards and they tell us what we’re getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They’re sending us not the right people.”

“It’s coming from more than Mexico. It’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably — probably — from the Middle East. But we don’t know. Because we have no protection and we have no competence, we don’t know what’s happening. And it’s got to stop and it’s got to stop fast,” he concluded.  

He’s right. His comments have caused a huge uproar with all the pandering politicians, left, right and in-between. The Latino segments of Americans are offended. The many who are offended won’t be inclined to vote for him. That’s too bad, because statistics prove he’s right. Trump is not afraid to offend the politically correct morons with the truth; the facts; the reality of the matter. The guy has his faults, but I admire him for that.

Immigrants and other visitors to the USA should be required to follow the rules. Anyone who doesn’t – who crosses our border without permission – is technically a criminal no matter how good a person they are otherwise. The facts are that if they are inclined to ignore the rules in that instance, chances are they’ll be just as inclined to violate our laws in other instances. Trump is merely stating the obvious that we as a nation have a responsibility to enforce the law.

Personally, I know what it’s like to follow immigration requirements. I’ve been living in Thailand for the last eight years. I like it here. It’s a refreshing cultural and standard of living change from the United States of America. But Thailand will never allow me to become a citizen. I can’t be employed in Thailand without permission from the government. I’m considered a guest, and even to enjoy that privilege I must have permission.

First, I must maintain a US passport. Next, I was obliged to apply for a non-immigrant retirement visa for permission to enter and stay in the country for more than 90 days at a time. Every 90 days I’m required to report personally to a Thai Immigration office to report my address and submit proof that I’m living there. If I fail in any of these requirements the immigration officials will track me down, arrest me, and promptly boot me out of Thailand. If I commit any crime here they’ll treat me the same.

Every year, I must re-apply in person at the immigration office and submit a boat load of documentation in order to extend my visa for another year. I must prove I have a substantial sum of money in a Thai bank and otherwise have sufficient income from the US with which to support myself.

The only reason they allow me here in the first place is because I’m going to spend money from my home country which will help the Thai economy. The Thai’s don’t want any foreigner in their country who will be a burden to the Thai people. They don’t allow criminals, takers, terrorists and such to stay here.

They won’t have me unless I can prove I’m a good person every 90 days. They strictly enforce their immigration laws. It’s inconvenient; a pain in the ass, but I’m willing to do it because I want to stay in Thailand. If I can do it, why can’t visitors to the USA do it?

Reasonable Americans, including Donald Trump, are not asking that much of foreigners who want to stay in the USA. In the USA immigrants can become citizens. They can work, earn a living, and eventually enjoy all the benefits of being an American. All reasonable Americans ask of foreigners is that they follow the rules.

That’s why I’m inclined in this instance to defend The Donald.