Arizona Uber Alles
A new anti-immigrant bill was recently approved by the Arizona state senate. The story is another example of how government laws create problems that governments will propose to solve with more infringements on freedom.
According to FoxNews.com, the new bill contains several provisions.
It “would create a new state misdemeanor crime for failing to carry alien registration documents” and “allow officers to arrest immigrants unable to show documents proving their legal residence”.
So “Papers, please” is becoming a more acceptable phrase to adherents of political authority – and the cages and deprivation awaiting those who do not produce a permission slip are becoming more acceptable too. Certainly driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, and other measures currently form an informal system of National ID – this measure just escalates the tyranny. And it will certainly encourage profiling and create a more hostile environment for people who appear Hispanic and poor.
The new law would also “allow people to sue if they feel a government agency has adopted a policy that hinders immigration enforcement”.
Fascism and other totalitarian movements have always encouraged participation, from the Hitler Youth, to the Maoist Cultural Revolution, to the East German snitch network. Those who want to rule do well to get a sizable segment of the population on their side to help them keep the rest of the population subdued.
The bill would “prohibit people from blocking traffic when they seek or offer day labor services on street corners”.
I would imagine that obstructing traffic was already a finable offense, so this is really just a blow against freedom to gather in public places. Again, profiling and creating a hostile environment are the likely consequences.</em>
As long as the victim is powerless and brown, we have an ugly notion as a nation that we can do whatever the hell we want to look tough and fight a non-existent problem on their backs.
Rise up, youth.