Torch, Spring/Summer 2008

Iraqi government and security forces, and more diplomatic and economic initiatives. In January of this year, General David H. Petraeus, commander of the multinational force in Iraq, stated in his year-end report that attacks by insurgents in the country were down 60 percent from June 2007 and were at their lowest level since the early summer of 2005. Further, Petraeus also noted that civilian deaths were down approximately 75 percent from 2006, dropping to a level not seen since the end of 2005. Bush has emphasized that a successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations. As important as those victories are, the Iraqi citizens must see visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities. It is widely believed that Iraq’s best chance for long-term constancy is to develop democratic institutions that will protect the basic civil, political, and human liberties and rights of the Iraqi people. The policy options that have been advanced by both Democrats and Republicans have stated a desire to see stability in Iraq, as well as the entire Middle East region. The difference in achieving this desired outcome has been the focal point of discussion over the last couple of years. Opinions from the Democrats on this issue typically run from an immediate withdrawal of all American troops to an immediate drawdown of 40,000 to 50,000 troops over the next year. McCain favors a continuation of the Bush Doctrine in the Middle East. All candidates stress the importance of encouraging the further development of the Iraqi government so the Iraqis can effectively govern their own population and provide for their own security against internal and external threats to their power. Immigration Securing America’s borders against illegal immigration is the next serious policy issue. America has a wonderful tradition of welcoming newcomers. We admit more than one million legal immigrants every year, almost as many as all other countries combined. It is no surprise that so many people want to come here: we are the most prosperous and free nation in the world. But our generosity and compassion should be tempered by the knowledge that those who want to harm us will use any means possible, including our immigration policy, to do so. Today, anywhere from 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants are in the United States. Half a million more enter illegally every year. The magnet that attracts most illegal immigrants is the easy availability of jobs. The 1996 law that makes it unlawful to hire illegal immigrants in this country is seldom enforced. Some say there are jobs Americans will not do. But that demeans Americans who are working hard in every occupation. Almost one-quarter of all African-Americans and 40 percent of all Hispanics do not have a high school degree. These low-skilled legal workers are the victims of the depressed wages caused by illegal immigrants entering the workforce. Most Americans feel that illegal immigration poses serious challenges. Several solutions have been suggested to cope with the problem, though they often result in more questions than answers. One is to give the 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. amnesty and a path to citizenship. The fear of many Americans is that 10 TORCH A U.S. Border Patrol agent drives along the U.S.-Mexico border in Jacumba, California, as men wait on the Mexican side for sunset to attempt an illegal crossing. AP Photo/Susan Sterner