A Key to Carving into National Debt? Get Everyone into a Job

   How successful you are at placing your people in productive jobs determines the success of your nation, at least to a degree, at least economically.

   If we were all employed, and earning enough that we needed no assistance, and all making enough money to pay taxes, what would it do to the national debt? With a greater number paying taxes, the government's revenue would increase, and with fewer people needing government assistance, government expenditures would decrease.

   So, if we are serious about solving our $16.8 trillion national debt, we should be serious about placing people in jobs. 

Hmm, Here's One Way to Pay Off National Debt

   So, if each of us, each head of house, plopped down $137,000, the $16.8 trillion national debt would be paid off. It is going to take a little bit, if we really decide to do this, for few of us have that kind of money. So, I imagine the only thing we can do, is . . .
   To march into the banks and get huge personal loans.
   Come on, fellow Americans, we can do this. It's for our country. We have to pull together at times like this. We need to think of the betterment of the whole, not of ourselves. The nation is in debt. Our dear Uncle Sam is in debt. To get our government out of the hole, we need to take ownership, make the debt our own, literally.
   Hmm, some of you are reading along, wondering if I'm serious. Well, I'm not. Then, again, part of me does like the idea. Wouldn't it be something like history has never, ever seen? Now, let me get back to the part about how it is going to take quite a bit of effort. A number of us aren't going to go along with this. So, the rest of us will have to take out even bigger loans. I suggest $500,00 each. And, I suggest, if the banks want to do their part, they will extend us the credit.
   To the banks, fellow citizens! To the banks!

 If We Could Only Discern Their Motives

 If we could judge the immigrants -- discerning whether they were being truthful -- on their reasons for wanting to come, would we let in every one that had honorable intentions?
   You want to join family members who are already here? Come. You are welcome.
   You want to bring drugs into our country? Nay, we shan't have you. Not at all.
   You have heard all your life our wonderful America is, and you just want to live here? Come, come. Our borders are open to you.
   You have heard about our welfare system, and would like a free ride? No, no. I'm afraid you better not come.
   You want to work and earn and honest living? Working is not illegal in America. Please do join us.
   Frankly, with the concern many have of who comes, it seems it would be good if it were possible for us to be so discerning, if it were possible for us to filter them out by their motives.

Are We Patriots at a Time Like This?

   If where we spend our money, and where we are willing to spend our money has anything to do with our likes and dislikes, what does that say about us come tax time? If patriotism is to be measured by how willing we are to give money to our country, how are we doing?

The National Debt in $100 Bills

   It's often fun to see graphics showing just how massive our national debt is. I like this one:
http://demonocracy.info/infographics/usa/us_debt/us_debt.html

Parallels Between Abortion and Immigration

   Consider the similarities of abortion and immigration, of how the fetus isn't wanted and the immigrant isn't wanted, about how we think of the rights of those who are already here, but not of the rights of those who are coming here. The unborn simply desires to come to earth, but the people on earth don't want them. The immigrants simply want to live on American soil, but the Americans don't want them. The unborn are dependent on the permission of those already here in order to come, and so are the immigrants. The spirits of those in heaven shouted for joy at the opportunity to come here, and even so is the gratitude legend of the immigrant coming to America. 

Give Them Time Served, Then Let Them Stay

   Hmm, we could put them all on probation, these people here in America without our permission. After all, many of us (maybe most) already think of them as common criminals. So, punish them (waterboarding comes to mind), and then put them on probation.
   Actually, the waterboarding might not be a good idea. But, as an alternative, we could place them in prison for three months. Now, you are going to have to answer this question before you tell that we should deport them instead of just placing them in prison for three months: Why is it that prison is the answer for just about any other crime, but it is not good enough of a punishment for the undocumented Americans? Prison is good for murderers, and burglars, and arsonists. Yet,  if they commit the crime of not having paperwork, well, prison is letting them off a little easy. The average court case for deportation is 550 days (last I heard). That's about 1.5 years. Why not just say, Time served, and let them back in? Fair is fair, and if we accord that justice to all other criminals, why do we suppose those whose crime is not having our permission ought to be treated a little rougher? Are they worse than the other criminals? I mean, not obtaining paperwork is a pretty heavy thing.
   Actually, I'm not a favor of prison. I think it overused for a lot of crimes. I'd rather see them work off their punishment. Or, send them back to their home country for three months. 
   The point is, punish them, if we must, and then let them live among us.
   And, put them on probation, if we must. Since we seem to think they are more inclined to rob banks than the rest of us, tell them that if they have any criminal offense in their first year here -- any -- then, they're out. And, if they have any serious crime -- burglary, home invasion, or whatever -- in 10 years, they're out. If we want, we can add other probationary terms. Maybe we could say they cannot collect welfare or social aid that first year.
   If we must hold to the idea that wanting to be an American and coming to America without permission is such a bad thing, then, put them through the be-punished-and-be-probated ringer, like we do all our other criminals. Why should such a process not be adequate for the paperless?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/02/22/many-immigrants-facing-deportation-must-wait-550-days-for-their-day-in-court/