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"Piecemeal"Immigration Efforts Blocked
Delaware: Looking Ahead at Growth, Land Use and Environmental Impact
Counting America's Indians
21st Century Transportation - A New Vision


COMMENTARY: by NPG President Donald Man

Ever since the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill started to gather steam in the U.S. Senate on its way to its fiery debate and (thankfully) early grave, NPG was one of the few organizations asking what I considered to be a very important but simple question: Who is going to be in charge of carrying out all of these detailed provisions?

The demise of the Senate bill doesn't really put an end to the question. Even if piecemeal immigration legislation gets through Congress in the coming months or years, it will have to fall to some federal organization to implement and oversee the new rules.

I finally found a fellow thinker focused on the same questions when I came across national columnist Kevin James' recent column entitled "How big will the new agency be?"

In his enlightening column, James follows through on many of the hundreds of questions that constantly ran through his head. After much study, he gets behind the rhetorical curtain thrown up by dozens of talking heads and exposes the truth.

As he states, "I began to wonder - who would implement the details of the bill being discussed with such vigor by our leaders? Who would oversee the new 'guest worker program? Who would make sure the new 'workers' paid the fines they would be assessed? Who would calculate their back taxes? Who would make the determination as to which level of 'regularization' each new 'worker' would be assigned? Who would regulate which family members would be allowed to enter the country? Who would prepare, organize and authorize the new documents to be given to the 'undocumented' workers? Who would do the 24 hour background checks? Who would oversee the 'probationary' period of the Z visa holders? Who would make sure they learned English? And so on..."

Tongue-in-cheek he reminds us that we have in place plenty of government agencies ready to fulfill these duties who will, of course, operate efficiently and constantly communicate with each other - just like prior to 9/11.

After he runs through the extensive list and duties of each "arm" of our government that would be involved in the various tracking processes listed above, James concludes that we certainly cannot call the new agency the "United States Department of Labor Enforcement Homeland Security Internal Revenue Citizenship Immigration Services Social Security Administration Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Bureau of Prisons State Department Federal Emergency Management Agency American Bar Arbitration Agriculture Government Accountability Office Border Patrol."

Getting serious again, James gets to the point that I've been making all these months. Even if we could pass a quick piece of legislation to address the immigation crisis, the challenge of follow-up is almost incomprehensible - especially with no one working now to put anything in place. Ironically, President Bush is threatening to veto the Homeland Security Bill in the coming days because it contains $3 billion extra for border security - and that is precisely where we can best start to address this complex issue, by closing the borders, NOW!

Certainly, no one expects that a crisis like today's immigration mess will be resolved overnight. And Kevin James' column only reminds us how impractical it is to try to do too much all at once. However, thousands more illegals continue to cross our borders every day without this ever-ballooning crisis being seriously addressed.

In the coming months, NPG will be aggressively working to have our members keep the pressure on elected leaders at all levels - especially in the U.S. House of Representatives - to take the lead in pushing responsible, workable legislation that can keep our nation moving forward in tackling and resolving this crisis. The good news is that local governments are now starting to take the lead. Just like the War on Terror, the war on illegal immigration is going to be fought on many fronts, for many years to come. Let's hope both can be resolved in our nation's best interests. Click here to read Kevin James' complete column.


"PIECEMEAL" IMMIGRATION EFFORTS BLOCKED

Our nation's immigration crisis only grows worse with each day of inaction as countless thousands of new illegals constantly crossing our border. Doing nothing and taking no action is failed leadership at its worst.

Following the glaring defeat of the bi-partisan push for the illogical and unworkable Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill this past June, there is growing evidence that immigration politics may be starting to break down along party lines even though members on both sides of the political aisle have said they endorse a more piecemeal approach to solving the immigration problem.

The Washington Times of July 26th carried an insightful story on a push by both sides to move immigration issues and get political credit as Congress moves many of this year's Appropriations bills through Congress. The story leads off by saying: "Senate Democrats yesterday defeated a Republican effort to authorize $3 billion for new border security and immigration enforcement. Instead, the Democrats proposed a new agriculture workers program to bring in hundreds of thousands of foreign workers and grant legal status to illegal aliens now working in the fields." Both efforts failed. As the story notes, "Finding the pieces everyone agrees on will be difficult." That will be true whether Congress is in session or not. Click on the link above for the full story.


COUNTING AMERICA'S INDIANS

The 2010 U.S. Census is still more than two and a half years away. However, when you have to gather information on as many as a projected 312 million people, now is the time to make sure everything will go smoothly.

The Census Bureau is carrying out a series of regional consultation meetings with various groups (including American Indian tribes) - to make sure there are no glitches or complaints once the actual census gets underway.

Oklahoma's Tulsa World ran a recent story about how a heated debate has arisen on a proposed question that would ask self-identifying American Indians to indicate their tribal membership or their principal tribe if they belong to more than one. The problem seems to be that there is a fear of fiscal consequences in gathering information on specific tribal affiliation - a lot of federal money is at stake. There is also the fact that tribes hold the responsibility of keeping enrollment numbers and the wrong question - or one that will lead to confusing numbers in the end - could open the door as to what numbers the federal government rely on to disperse federal dollars.

According to the Tulsa World article, there are more than 500 federally recognized tribes, including 37 in Oklahoma. Oklahoma's estimated American Indian population in 2005 was 253,783. Click on the link above for the full story.


DELAWARE: LOOKING AHEAD AT GROWTH, LAND USE AND ENVIONMENTAL IMPACT

Where better to initiate a long-range study of a state's future growth than at a major university? That's where officials in fast-growing Delaware met in early July to assess the rapid growth in Sussex County, its largest and most threatened area where valuable farmland, fragile wetlands and coastal habitats are falling prey to overdevelopment.

UDaily, the University of Delaware's community newspaper, reported on how UD's Coastal Communities Enhancement Initiative (CCEI) sponsored the "Sussex Communities: Growing Better" workshop that attracted a sizeable group of educators and community leaders to focus on issues related to growth, land use and environmental impacts in Southern Delaware.

The goal of the group is to preserve the ecological heritage of Delaware through environmentally sound developmental strategies. In unveiling the initiative, Robin Morgan, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated "Today, we are asking for input from the community. We don't have the answers, but we are looking for them."

The group heard from keynote speaker and Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Thomas Hylton, a strong advocate of getting people to "rediscover the paths of our villages, cities and towns" rather than create the giant sprawl of highways and shopping malls.

Sussex County, Delaware with its bucolic setting all within an easy drive of three giant metropolitan areas (Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC) has long been a recreational destination. Today it's a huge magnet for retirees from those areas as well as other points farther north. The goal of CCEI is to start now to tackle growth management for the area before it gets too out of control. David Ames, director of UD's Center for Historic Architecture and Design noted "The dilemma is that this growth is going to destroy the resources that are attracting people to Sussex County. The net loser as a result of all this rapid residential growth is the forests and wetlands of the county."

NPG highlights stories such as this because it is essential for state and local leaders - especially in areas where effective policies can be put into place before overdevelopment is underway - to work together to plan for the future. Far too many communities today live with the havoc created by greedy developers who ravaged once beautiful and liveable environments. The UDaily article outlines the actions recommended by CCEI. Click on the link above for the full story.


21st CENTURY TRANSPORTATION - A NEW VISION

Those who grew up in the 50's and 60's were consistently told that transportation in the 21st century would be mind-boggling. The pictures that ran in magazines and their related stories conjured up amazing streamlined vehicles defying gravity and floating around futuristic cities with ease. By now, we were all supposed to be living and traveling like TV's Jetsons.

Well, sometimes dreams don't come true. And today's realities dictate that for the foreseeable future we are stuck with the same modes of transportation that's been around for decades.

However, there are new dynamics at work in this new century and it's time we start to look at how we can best equip the nation's transportation system for the future.

A new report submitted by 17 organizations to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Review Study Commission last week addressed what's at stake and how we should start now to deal with it.

According to information provided by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the challenges are immense. John Horsely, AASHTO's Executive Director stated "The next 50 years will bring monumental changes to transportation demands in the U.S. in terms of population, demographics, freight movement and the benefits of advanced technologies." He continued, "At the same time we must grapple with dynamics that were unimagined when we built the Interstate System. We have to apply new thinking and new solutions if we want to remain a world leader."

While highways are key to moving people and freight around the nation, Horsely reminds us that "we must add substantial capacity in highways, transit, rail, airports and seaports."

Among topics covered in the report are increased funding for highways and transit, modernizing the transportation system already in place, greater investment in public transportation, cutting oil consumption and doubling fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, expand amount of freight moved by rail, and reduce the 50 percent of congestion now caused by lack of capacity.

All of the above are admirable goals and perhaps some of them can and will come true decades from now. But all the studies and "wish lists" in the world aren't going to radically change our transportation system anytime soon. The number of people and vehicles crowding our roads is only going to lead to more gridlock. Rather than building any new freight or passenger rail systems we are letting much of what exists deteriorate even further. Dozens of America's fastest growing cities do not have high-quality public transportation systems. And few metropolitan areas are building -- or have any plans to build -- new airports.

Unfortunately, the AASHTO group totally ignores another solution - using their clout to help lead the drive to rein-in out-of-control population growth and create better demographic planning. With no limits on how fast our nation will grow or where people will cluster, America's transportation system will always be playing "catch-up" to our surging and sprawling population.

Credit should be given to AASHTO, however, for focusing on future growth and awakening our elected leaders and fellow citizens to the myriad transportation challenges of the 21st century, complete with the massive costs we'll need to meet them.

It's too bad that we won't see those futuristic cities anytime soon. Maybe it's not too late to start dreaming again. Click on the link above for the full story.


POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION NEWS NOTES

IT'S GOING TO COST HOW MUCH?

A recent article in The Washington Post noted that the 2010 U.S. Census is projected to cost $36.43 per capita (that's government-speak for per-person counted). The total estimated price tag runs to an astounding $11.5 billion.

A huge part of the expense is for the high-tech gadgetry that each census taker will carry and that has performed pretty well in recent field tests. The article's author, Rachel Dry, described the high-tech unit as such: "It may look very similar to other PDA's on the market, but this is Harris Corp's handheld computer, manufactured specifically for the 2010 census. It boasts a touch screen, 10-hour battery life and, even more impressive, fingerprint authentication and Global Positioning System technology capable of sub 3 meter accuracy." There was no cost cited as to how much the federal government is paying for each unit.

The article also noted that in 1790, the first U.S. census was estimated to cost 1 cent per person counted.

GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR CARS

As much as the government tries to get people out of their cars and use mass transit or another alternate way to get to work, it seems to be an uphill battle.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported on a 2005 American Community Survey that found "driving to work was the favored means of commute by nearly nine out of 10 workers (87.7 percent), with most people (77 percent) driving alone. Only 4.7 percent of commuters used public transportation - an increase of a dismal 0.1 percent over 2000 levels.

Logically, most of America's largest cities led the way with a good percentage of people (often 15 to 20 percent) commuting via public transportation. However, a number of smaller cities, including Minneapolis, MN (12.5 percent); Oakland, CA (16.5 percent); Portland, OR (13.3 percent) and Seattle (17 percent) also showed impressive numbers of people using public transportation. The Census noted that the value of the 2005 survey will come in recent years with Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon stating, "With each succeeding year, we'll be able to see how people respond to changing circumstances, such as rising gas prices."

Other interesting facts related to how Americans get to work include:

* Approximately 10.7 percent car pool to work
* Approximately 0.4 percent bicycle to work (In Portland, OR that number is
3.5 percent)
* Approximately 3.6 percent work from home; and
* Approximately 2.5 percent walk to work

But what about the remaining 82.8% of the population? Clearly, we need more programs designed to increase these percentages in order to reduce the environmental impacts of an ever-expanding population

CRACKING DOWN LOCALLY

NPG has been a strong advocate of local governments taking power into their own hands to help get control of the massive illegal immigration problem. Thankfully, many local officials are waking up to the huge costs associated with ignoring this problem in their communities and more than 100 jurisdictions across America have taken some sort of action to do something about it. We are pleased to applaud the Board of Supervisors in both Prince William County, VA and its neighbor, Loudoun County VA for voting unanimously to pass resolutions aimed at banning illegal immigrants from receiving most county government services and supporting increased enforcement of immigration laws at the local level. The resolutions, if they hold up against legal challenges that are sure to be brought by the rich and powerful open borders groups, will stand among the toughest in the country seeking to discourage illegal immigration. In pressing for the measure, Loudoun County Supervisor Mick Stanton noted, "It's time for people like us to stand up and start defending and preserving the communities that we represent. Hopefully, if enough local governments in this region and other regions start doing this, maybe the message will get through to those folks on Capitol Hill, and maybe they'll start doing something."

Last week, a federal judge in Pennsylvania issued a permanent injunction against restrictive ordinances against illegal immigrants in Hazleton, PA, prohibiting them from enforcing any of the provisions of their ordinances which included imposing fines of $1,000-per-day on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and revoking the business licenses of any employer who hires them. The Washington Post quoted Louis J. Barletta, Mayor of Hazelton, PA, who vowed to take the fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and stated, "This fight is far from over. I have said it many times before: Hazleton is not going to back down. We are discouraged to see a federal judge has decided - wrongly we believe - that Hazleton and cities like it around the nation cannot enact legislation to protect their citizens, their services and their budgets."

The same Washington Post article noted that Prince William County Board Chairman Corey A. Stewart said the Hazleton decision will not give pause to the county lawmakers. Unlike Hazleton, Prince William County is not trying to levy fines or punish landlords, Stewart said.


QUOTABLE

"I find all of my colleagues running for the presidency have now become strong border control advocates. This is a brand new position for many of them, especially Rudy [Guiliani]. He fought to keep New York a sanctuary city. He took it to the Supreme Court. He said he would not enforce it if we tried to stop him from having a sanctuary city."

U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO)

"Just last week, authorities found a 600-foot tunnel under the border from Mexico to Nogales, AZ. I have to wonder why someone would go to such trouble when there are still places where you can walk across the border. This is not just an immigration issue, it is also a national security issue. We have to know who is crossing our border and why."

U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO)

"My fellow Americans, we have a problem. We spend billions of dollars on homeland security, but our government can't even track and deport convicted criminal aliens. These are not the well-meaning 'newcomers' who just want to 'pursue economic opportunities' by 'doing the jobs no one else will do.' These are foreign-born thugs, sex offenders, murderers, and repeat drunk drivers who are destroying the American Dream.

If our immigration and entrance system cannot effectively monitor, detain, and kick out convicted criminal aliens - including illegal border-crossers, illegal visa overstayers, fugitive deportees, and green card holders who have committed serious crimes and aggravated felonies - what good is it?"

Columnist Michelle Malkin

And finally, a voice from the past...

"We, you and I, and our government - must avoid plundering for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all ages to come."

President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Farewell Address as President
January, 1961

WHY THE NPG JOURNAL?

The NPG Journal (offered free to all recipients) exists to give more widespread distribution to timely news stories and articles related to population, immigration, environmental and political issues that currently affect our daily life -- or have the potential to seriously impact our future. NPG President Donald Mann offers his personal insight and commentary on individual stories, especially those that challenge, confirm and/or complement our NPG Research and Forum Papers. The goal of the NPG Journal is to greatly expand NPG's educational mission. As NPG celebrates its 35th Anniversary we continue to emphasize the need for Americans to speak up on population issues and keep our nation -- especially our elected leaders on the national, state and local level - focused on taking action to help resolve today's immigration crisis and work to halt, and eventually reverse America's out-of-control population growth.

We welcome your feedback to articles posted on the NPG Journal and urge you to forward us the e-mail address of friends you think would like to receive a complimentary copy of the NPG Journal on a bi-weekly basis. Contact us at www.npg.org

ABOUT NPG

Negative Population Growth, Inc. (NPG) is a national nonprofit membership organization with over 30,000 members nationwide. It was founded in 1972 to educate the American public and political leaders about the devastating effects of overpopulation on our environment, resources, and standard of living. We believe that our nation is already vastly overpopulated in terms of the long-range carrying capacity of its resources and environm