Leaves on the trade winds. . .

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Immigration is a topic that passes across the political stage periodically but doesn't seem to get any real progress or reform. I am going to throw out some of my ideas on immagration.

> Toss the current system - too complicated, too expensive, not enforced and doesn't work

> The door is wide open - Anyone who wants to come, be an American and persue life, liberty and happiness are welcome. The only requirement is you must have no criminal record.

I know many are saying that America would be overrun. I believe there would be an initial surge but it would eventually balance out. Additionally, our country is abundant enough to handle any productive addition to our society. Historically there have been immigration surges that the cynical were certain would destroy America and yet here we are.

> Provisional Citizen - All immigrants are provisional citizens. They have the same rights as regular citizens except that if they commit a felony at any time - they lose citizenship. Additionally they have two years to file a tax return or they lose citizenship.

> Enforce, enforce, enforce - The first key is to give NO BENEFITS! No drivers license. No food stamps. No long term hospital care. No social services. No schooling. NONE! At first blush this may sound harsh, but we have made citizenship accessible to everyone who will play by the rules. We should give no incentives or benefits to those who do not.

The second key is to arrest, deport or imprison those who are in violation.

These ideas may sound simplistic, and I understand many things would still need to be worked out (including a process for handling exceptions) but I think these reforms have merit.

It is easy to criticize somebodies ideas, much harder to come up with your own . . . I invite all comments but encourage your to throw out an idea or two.