I too like Colbert and his show but agree he had no business testifying as do many of the people they bring before these hearings. Colbert is no expert on this matter and his comedic views should not be given a stage in this setting strictly for political gain. This reminds me of Meryl Streep testifying before Congress on the dangers of spraying apples with Alar. Our country has repeatedly embarrassed itself by giving celebrities undue importance on matters they know little about.
I think Colbert has every right to express his opinions on his show, at his rally or where ever he wants but I don't think he qualifies to testify on this matter at a Congressional hearing any more then I qualify to testify at a murder trial as an expert witness on DNA evidence.
Bruce, I agree racism plays a big role in this issue but one can not simply paint all those who favor enforcing our immigration laws as racist. The fact is many of these illegals are taking jobs away from U.S. citizens in the lower income brackets which only increases the problems that go hand and hand with unemployment, low wages and poverty there by compounding many of our country's social and economic problems that we continue to spend billions on yet see little if any improvements.
I have always admire people who are willing to leave their home land in an attempt to better their lives for them and their families. However our country simply can not afford to allow all who wish to better themselves to come here illegally and undocumented. I also have a hard time with the notion these people are simply doing the jobs no one else wants to do. I have a son that works in construction and my daughter's boy friend has worked in landscaping for several years during high school and now while in college. I believe you yourself has mentioned that packing plants used to pay a decent wage but have also lowered their wages now days knowing they can hire immigrants for less. Why should so many jobs including many agricultural jobs be allowed to pay a wage that puts one in or near the poverty level? We need to take care of our own first.
I'm not sure what the answer is as we no doubt do need many immigrants to help with many jobs. To simply offer amnesty every few years seems to be a joke and marginalizes our existing immigration laws while punishing those that are trying to enter our country legally. Amnesty simply encourages more people to ignore our laws and enter our country illegally. We need the help of the Mexican government to work together if we truly want to resolve this problem.
