Immigration./  As usual I am no expert I haven't read any of the expert analysis of the economic impact pro and con the American Economy.  As far as I can see those 12 Million Mexican and Central American laborers who have made it to this nation deserve a standing ovation. I think a postage stamp honoring there struggle to not only make it across the border but to work exceedingly long hours at work the for the most part No American wants to do is really due them. I would put some kind of Norman Rockwell painting with some Mexicans and Americans holding up the American Flag on this Postage stamp. Their contribution to the American Economy must be huge...! Simply a major part of the foundation of America's Economic success of at least the last 30 years. I have no proof. All I know is apparently we have according to the media 12 million illegal immigrants pretty much all at work here in America on behalf of Americans. That's huge.    Every nook and cranny of very tough often thankless jobs for are filled by these men and women. $2,000 American dollars is the current rate that you must pay to some 'coyote' to get yourself across the border according to a young man who made it across the border a year ago. That's how much a Mexican or Guatemalan or San Salvadoreno must save in his own country in order to make what is more and more an extremely hazardous border crossing.    Right. I know its an illegal border crossing and my great grandparents and yours didn't come across illegally. What would you be prepared to do if you lived in a land of poverty and you could help your family at home as well as yourself by being very brave? They don't come here to rob and loot they come here to give honest work on behalf of Americans who need them. They are not all angels, as a cab driver I know that, by far the great great majority are fine people. The people who hire these people and not all but I my guess is far the majority of people who hire them are also fine people. To conceive of making Felons of either the migrant workers or employers is itself a Crime. A crime of ignorance.   I haven't always thought this way. I for many years took a hard line approach to this subject too even voting for a Republican candidate for Governor of California on one occasion principally because of this one issue. I still think it is crazy too give an illegal immigrant the right to have a California driver's license... However something has to change here and the knee jerk punish everyone approach is ridiculous.    Getting to the roots of the issue would be finding out how we as a nation can support our fellow North American nations south of the border in increasing the standard of wealth in their communities? How is it that US government (American taxpayers) subsidized Agribiz can bring in cheap Corn that ends up putting poor farmers south of the border out of work..? This whole corporate NAFTA border crossing party should be looked at fresh are the benefits reaching the poor in Mexico? If not why not and how can we as a nation insist that they do? What about unionization in Mexico? Wasn't that an important step in the development of a Middle Class in this country? (of course now a days here in the good old USA forget the Middle Class you are poor or you are rich) (We know Senators are rich though or at least selling themselves annually in order to get re-elected.)    Anyways lots of things to think about here in this mean old beautiful old world heading for some major transformations beyond our wildest dreams. Let's try to stay positive Guy...and can we please pass a law making it against the law to come up with new ways to throw people in Jail particularly by the Federal Government. That reminds me of an ex-roommate conservative young man who back during the Clinton Era would tell me repeatedly...  '... the Federal Government is out of Control'.  What do you think now? Has the Federal Government backed off since a Republican Majority has taken control or has it gotten  just a little worse?   Well you know what I think. Hang on to your hats.   PS I still have my knee jerk opinion about legal immigration -  moratorium!      Guy Meyer, Jr.                   March 30, 2006         San Anselmo, California               guy@lifesignsphoto.com