Suggestions regarding immigration

Some musings from a senior with thoughts on the crisis at the southern border. I haven’t heard or seen any of the following to deal with the issue. Possibly our elected officials should consider the following rather than their kowtowing to special interests, re-election, partisanship, etc., and come together for the mutual benefit.

We have plenty of domestic issues to deal with; how about these ideas to start the conversation:

1. Immediately adjust immigration quotas to more realistic totals to welcome those genuinely seeking a better life and escape from persecution and poverty. Certainly this great country can welcome them.

2. Politically or financially pressure Mexico to police its northern border to stem the flow while policies are formulated and put in place.

3. Expand our immigration practices to streamline legal immigration to accept more deserving entrants faster.

I’m sure there are many more wonderful ideas out there, but these seem like a reasonable start. I invite your comments and suggestions.

— Jack Roth, Bakersfield

CRACK DOWN ON PHONE SCAMS

At 4:14 p.m. Friday, a telemarketer phoned using the forged caller ID “St. Jude Medical” to pitch the free hotel room scam, tarnishing the reputation of the children’s hospital charity in an effort to cheat the unsuspecting.

The federal government must crack down on phone spam — it’s entered a new phase of criminality and moral bankruptcy. Write your congressman. In these fractious times, can Americans please agree on this?

— Michael Linder, Bakersfield

MISSING QUALITIES

Leadership in America is no longer relevant when it continues to allow racism and violence to proliferate in our communities. American leadership is to blame for the racism and violence we are experiencing in America.

Our leadership refuses to prosecute cops who kill unarmed civilians, and they refuse to demonize alleged murderers calling them people who just had “a bad day.” We have leaders during a congressional subcommittee hearing about racism who instead glorify lynchings and have an anti-China rant.

Socrates, the great Greek philosopher, said that leadership requires the best in knowledge, abilities, virtues and having a deep knowledge of oneself. American leadership on all levels is missing what it requires to lead.

— William Guerrero, Bakersfield

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

In these troubled times, we have experienced the anguish of losing loved ones while in isolation due to the pandemic that continues to persist. Our traditional practices of physical attendance at funerals and group grieving has been interrupted, resulting in a great void that we search to fill.

The memories we shared would have remembered the good times and the bad, but always with love and loss.

Why not share those memories while the object of our admiration is able to hear our tribute that confirms a life well lived?

As we search for the meaning of life, we should seize the opportunity along the way to share our appreciation with a loved one who lived a life of meaning.

This also enables the object of our appreciation to further comment and clarify their lessons learned while experiencing the greatest gift of all, life itself.

These need not be end-of-life celebrations, but rather celebrations many times during the lifetime of those dear to us. We shouldn’t allow this shared life experience to be co-opted by a fundraising testimonial!

We have developed a custom of celebrating birthdays, which is actually when we receive our gift of life but for which we can take little credit. It’s time we establish the custom to recognize how one enhanced their sacred birthday gift and the effect on our lives and community. — Phil Rudnick, Bakersfield