Date: Jan. 1, 2016
Location: Unknown
We are an immigrant nation and should be proud of it. We should have a vibrant
and clear and not overly complicated or expensive immigration policy at our
borders that welcomes people from all over the globe who are taking the same
chance that our ancestors did by coming to America to start a new
life.Unfortunately our immigration policy is in disarray, inefficient and
almost institutionally corrupt and unfair. This needs to be solved at the
federal level working in concert with the states to devise a fair and
reasonable system. Some one who has, however, crossed into this country without
a visa or intentionally overstayed their tourist visa is here illegally and
there is a world of difference between the two. Until the time we are prepared
as a nation to have no borders and recognize no countries I will advocate for
robust, fair immigration policies and equally robust enforcement of our Visa
Rules.We have a huge problem with our driver's licenses; we want them to be an
indication of minimum competency to drive and at the same time use them as a
national ID card. While they have been proven time and again to be a poor ID
card, there is little interest in creating a better one. As to minimum
competency for driving, the numbers are both staggering and depressing -- every
year 40,000 people die on the roads and the numbers of injured with the
attendant costs are almost not comprehendible. Based on these facts I believe
that every person behind the wheel of a vehicle must be able to prove that they
have competency (and insurance). I would propose that people holding a
legitimate visa be allowed to take a driving test and obtain a license that
clearly denotes their visa status ( and perhaps the exit date). Drivers
intentionally driving with out a license should face felony endangerment
charges regardless of their citizenship or birthplace.