Fantasy to Ruin

In 1986 there wasn't a political bone in my body except for the occasional vote for a Democrat. I had just started listening to talk radio, but it was Joyce Brothers and her advice to the pathetic that I listened to the most. Then came along David Viscott and his straight forward, sometimes rude responses to questions like, "why am I a failure?"
In the news there was a huge debate going on as to whether there should be a "One Time Amnesty Bill" passed. It raged on in the periphery of my joy of living alone for the first time in several years, and a sweetly growing massage clientele. The bill passed and Reagan signed it.
In 1990 I went back to school and took a critical writing class. We had to give a debate and write a paper based on our opinion of the side that we took. Our debate was based on all the illegal aliens who have emerged in even larger numbers since the amnesty bill passed. I had no idea what I wanted to debate, and there was a woman in our group who had been passionate about the increase of illegal activity since the bill had passed. My stance was America is so great, why, we could have completely open borders and everyone would benefit.
When I said that statement to Hubby, he looked at me like I was crazy. "Babe, we can't absorb everyone. It would make this country terrible. We have to have quotas so as not to have huge unemployment, over crowding, crime, problems that we haven't even named yet!"
"Oh," I thought, "my side of the argument might be hard to defend, in that case."
Fast forward to 2010 and Arizona's new "Illegal Immigrant Bill." It's a fiery subject to those not living in the shoes of 70% of Arizona's population who are afraid, and tired of what has become of their state. Phoenix is the "kidnap capital" of the United States, crime, rape, drugs and drug cartel, damage to land and crops and livestock has increased 100 fold in the last ten years. The stated begged and begged the Federal Government to do something and nothing has been done. They really did have to do something. Now I know the law seems unfair, unreasonable, and unconstitutional. The last part remains to be seen. But the death of a rancher by drug traffickers, who happened to help illegals cross his land, was the last straw for Arizona.
I think people who are compassionate about illegal aliens who come to work in the USA feel that there is nothing wrong with this lifestyle and it is an innocent act. That attitude reminds me of a little story my friend told me about her and her son. They went to Vegas together to enjoy each other's company and to play bingo. She is the big bingo player and goes to Vegas just for that joy. Her son decided that he would go and play bingo with her. She was delighted to hear the news. She thought how wonderful to have her son by her side, enjoying the same thing she was. She imagined that it would be sweet and fun: a bonding experience. Instead, he began to take advantage of the free drinks. He drank a lot. He got drunk and loud and belligerent and embarrassed her and ruined her fantasy.
That is what has happened to Arizona.