Passport to Futility

Last week Homeland Security made the recommendation that all travellers (including Canadians) require a passport to enter the United States. Such a move is bound to deter tourists..er, ah...terrorists from making their way into the U.S. *

What's the rationale for chucking decades of reciprocity and unfettered access across our borders? If you believe Froma Harrop, the answer may lie to the south...further south.

"Illegal aliens depress the wages of low-skilled citizens and legal immigrants. This situation suits Bush just fine. Bush loves nothing more than cheap labor. For all we know, he may regard illegal workers as a kind of tax break for business.

So the cheap-labor crowd finds great value in keeping the immigration system broken. But there's the political problem. Because illegal immigration angers most Americans, Bush must appear to be doing something about it. "

*I stole that from Rick Mercer - I'm just not that funny.