A recent Pew Research study finds that two-thirds of Americans think that immigration policy, the tax system, the educational system, and the healthcare system either need a complete overhaul or major changes. More than half think that the Medicare system and Social Security system either need complete overhauls or major changes. More than half think that the homeland security system is working pretty well.
I guess that makes me a dissident. I think they all need complete overhauls.
The commentary from Pew focuses on immigration. In that area it’s pretty clear that the opinions of Americans are pretty widely separated from those of elites, at least as reflected in the comprehensive immigration reform that’s making its way through Congress. Nearly three-quarters of Americans think that illegal immigrants who meet certain requirements should be allowed to stay while more than 80% think that we need more border security. Let’s have a show of hands. Does anybody think that whatever requirements a new law imposes will actually be enforced? What in your experience of American immigration policy enforcement makes you think that?
Here’s another shocker: the more your own job is likely to be affected by more immigrants the less likely you are to favor more immigration. Something that may surprise you: more Hispanics think that legal immigration should be decreased or remain the same than think that it should be increased or remain the same.
Does it matter what people think anymore? Do politicians listen? Where is the representation of the people’s viewpoints when it stands next to a Congress person’s own reelection ambitions? Then, mix in a press, who, reports the news more like a fan club than an honest seeker of the truth. How can this country ever go forward in adequately addressing or reforming any of those areas cited in the Pew Poll above?