How about closing the border AND checking IDs at hospitals?

FoxNews.com has a story that Feds are telling hospitals to gather data about the citizenship of their patients:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133736,00.html

I agree with the Southwestern Legal Foundation about throwing more money at border security (and 'clarfiying' their mandate), but I disagree with the Georgia Hospital Association. The GHA says they don't want to be an arm of the INS, fine. But at least do your job to help control the cost of health care, we taxpayers are tired of paying for your laziness.

Here's another story, this one in The Washington Times online, entitled "Al Queda seeks tie to local gangs" (http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20040928-123346-3928r.htm). This story in particular shows why I, and I think EVERYONE, am/should be so concerned about border security and requiring legal ID cards for basic government services. The terrorists are already moving across our borders. Most likely they can also easily get free health care, false IDs, and probably even drivers licenses.

I sent the following to Foxnews.com:

I read your article on-line at FoxNews, "Feds Order Hospitals to Question Illegals' Status" ( http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133736,00.html), on September 28, 2004. I'd like to point out that the rising cost of health care in this country is forcing American CITIZENS, particularly small businesses, out of the various health care plans in our country. HMOs, PPOs, and the rest are increasingly removing the competitive choice from their customers, the very thing that made our health care industry the envy of the world. At the same time doctors are being forced out due to the greed of trial lawyers and insurance companies.

So, if our elected leaders would care to get serious, both in funding and mandate, about closing our borders we'll solve both large security problems AND take a large whack at the cost of health care in this country. It seems both major political parties, especially Democrats - illegals vote overwhelming Democrat - would prefer to figure out ways for illegal aliens to vote, and in the mean time benefit from cheap labor. It's clear to me that both Republican and Democrat political leadership do not have the will to address either side of this problem; the open borders or alien theft of services. I'm sorry to put it so coldly, but I think both long-time Americans and LEGAL immigrants agree - we have to do both for the benefit of all who obey the law and fairly pay into our health care, tax, and insurance systems. Not to mention stopping cold blooded killers from waltzing into our country unnoticed.

In my blog (http://sanityanyone.blogspot.com), I've called for Asa Hutchinson's resignation several times, after his admonishment of Border Patrol agents for 'lack of sensitivity', and his recent comments that 'Americans don't have the political will to enforce closed borders'. Excuse me Mr. Hutchinson, but it's definitely NOT the American people (the folks you work for), who lack the political will, it's folks like you and your bosses on both sides of the political spectrum. Mr. Hutchinson is clearly the wrong man to be running our border security. Until Tom Ridge fixes that problem, we will continue to see this lack of 'political will' in both Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Ridge themselves, and unfortunately, in President Bush as well.

The United States of America was founded on ideals of freedom, acceptance, and welcome for immigrants of all lands and cultures. I and everyone I know, including recent immigrants, still believe that - I think most Americans do not want 'shut' borders, only controlled. Illegal aliens unfairly 'cut in line' in front of folks who respect our laws; illegals mostly do not pay their fair share of especially federal taxes and place an enormous burden on many of our government systems, especially health care and hospitals. Illegals should not get driver's licenses, they should not get free health care - they should not be here in the first place.

Even the ACLU knows that when you want security and to lower your bills (and we do), the first thing you should do is firmly close the door.

Doug
Harpers Ferry, WV