More Talk Of Illegal Alien Backlash

In an article headlined "After Protests, Backlash Grows," the Washington Post notes increased hostility on the part of people we would assume would be symphatetic to the plight of those who come to this country seeking a better life. But when those people come here illegally -- and then millions of them protest in the street that someone dares to make them follow the law -- that's more than most Americans can take:

Congressional leaders in Washington have gotten bricks in the mail from a group that advocates building a border fence, states in the West and South have drawn up tough anti-immigrant laws, and ordinary citizens, such as Janis McDonald of Pennsylvania, who considers herself a liberal, are not mincing words in expressing their displeasure.

"Send them back," McDonald said. "Build a damn wall and be done with it."

The anger evoked a word that immigrant organizers who opposed Monday's boycott feared: backlash. McDonald and other Americans were particularly disturbed by Monday's boycott and civil action, attended in large part by people who entered the country illegally and are now demanding rights enjoyed by U.S.-born citizens and immigrants who entered the country legally.

"How dare they," said McDonald, a research specialist for the University of Pittsburgh who said she voted for Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) in the 2004 presidential election. "If they are so active, why aren't they in Mexico City, why aren't they forcing their leaders there to deal with the quality of life? If you don't like it here, go home."

As Christi King writes on the Common Sense America blog:

You just know you've gone too far when you tick off the liberals.

And I'm noticing this pattern more and more. Much to my surprise, the attitude isn't from the typical xenophobes who just don't like people because they eat differently or speak "funny" or practice another religion. Some of the most biting comments came as I spoke about this issue with gay men, lesbians and black people. Some of them become downright nasty -- even taken racial tones. I was taken aback, as these same people would normally take the other side of this issue so they would be perceived as sensitive and caring.

Even here on this blog, with most of my readers being gay or gay-friendly, no one is supporting the protesters calls for immediate citizenship or government protection.

I remain torn on the issue, as most of us come from immigrants. But those same ancestors came to this country in a different time, a different era and usually legally. Times are different now. When our forefathers came to the United States, there were no government entitlements, such as public education, welfare, etc. There were no emergency rooms where people are given free medical attention. It was a hard-scrabble life, and you survived by your own wits and determination. They weren't a strain on the social system, because -- quite frankly -- there wasn't much of a social system outside the local church charity.

And that's the difference between then and now.

As Ms. King at Common Sense America points out, American citizens of all political stripes are figuring this out:

"It seems our politicians have, once again, misjudged bipartisanship. While they think that they can divide Americans on issues for their own advantage, there are some issues that are bigger than politics. There are some issues that deal with what is best for America. In those issues, Americans from all walks of life and political stripes will always stand united."

As Churchill once said of us (his mother was born in the States): "The Americans will always do the right thing ... after they've exhausted all the alternatives."

I believe our alternatives are exhausted. Our eastern and western borders are sealed by the seas, our northern border by a country of similar economy and language. Our southern border is open. A wall is coming. But is it too late?