The American Dream Project

As a former member of the Brooks Quimby Debate Council at Bates College--as well as a proud Bates Democrat--I can really geek out on these super-early presidential debates. The Democrats are on right now, and Gov. Richardson just came out with something that got my blood boiling a bit.

The Dems were discussing their positions on the newly proposed immigration/amnesty/citizenship/call it what you will plan. And Richardson, defending his support of the bill, said he is against breaking up families. And yet the very bill he supported requires the head of household to return to their home country (and let's all acknowledge this is only going to apply to Mexico and Central America) for up to--get this--13 years.

13 years. Tell me how this isn't going to fundamentally disrupt families.

The Huffington Post recently covered a project that is seeking to draw attention the issue of immigration in this country from the opposite position. It's called the American Dream Project and they are touring this country.

Obama just responded that we would all do well to remember that ours is a country founded by immigrants, built great on the backs of their labor and ambitions. We would all do well to recall that our families were not welcomed into this country either, yet now many of us stand on our pedestals of privilege and proclaim that 'our families came here legally.'

Let me tell you something: no, they didn't. There were no laws in place, or if there were they were based on xenophobia and racism (curbing the number of Chinese, for example). And if it were you, and your family, today, seeking a better life, tell me right now that you wouldn't also break the law for your children.

That's what I thought.