Sanctuary State?

For John, BLUF:  That last part is just a thought experiment, for understanding alternatives.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From The Boston Herald is a headline suggesting a sneak attack on Beacon Hill.  Well, given that Beacon Hill is usually pretty sleepy and most voters are going to vote the way they voted last time, and the time before, things quietly make it through the General Court without breaking the surface.  In this case, it is "Beacon Hill forces line up for fight over sanctuary protections for illegal immigrants".  The bill would make us a "Sanctuary State".  I don't think that would be a good thing.

The lede:

Beacon Hill lawmakers are quietly pushing legislation that could offer sanctuary protections to illegal immigrants across the state, the Herald has learned.

The new legislation, filed by state Rep. Byron Rushing (D-Boston), would ban public agencies from giving or sharing information on illegals with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement unless forced to do so by a court or a federal order.

The bill also would ensure illegal immigrants have access to state benefits — such as welfare and driver’s licenses — and it would prohibit Bay State employees from denying “assistance, benefit, payment, service or participation in any program or activity” on the basis of immigration status, except as required by federal law.

State Rep. Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) immediately decried the bill, saying, “This will make Massachusetts a sanctuary state that harbors illegal aliens and makes available to them every benefit under the sun.”

By the way, I think Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone had better be praying that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal doesn't get elected President in 2016.

But, moving on, what about we fix this illegal immigration problem by just ceding California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to Mexico and let them choke that down.  That would be about a 62% increase in population and almost a 200% increase in GDP.  The four new states would bring much to Mexico.  Do you think the English Speakers will be allowed to continue speaking English in official government transactions?

I wonder if this expanded Mexico would move toward Democracy or if it would retain a combination Bonapartist and Narco-Criminal form of Government.

Regards  —  Cliff