FEATURED STORIES

Climate Change and National Security - The Looming Threat
Long Commutes Increase in Washington State
Confronting the Future in Knoxville, TN


COMMENTARY: by NPG President Donald Mann

Much of the focus in the immigration debate in recent months has been focused on the legislation that is working its way through the back rooms of the White House, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. We will soon be presented with one giant "comprehensive" piece of legislation that, in the infinite wisdom of politicians trying to solve this enormous problem with a single stroke, tries to do too much too soon. Whatever legislation finally emerges from Congress, it is sure to be difficult, if not impossible, to enact in a timely fashion and likely very tough to manage in the long-term.

It doesn't have to be this way. Congress can and should show the American public they are acting in good faith toward fixing many of the most glaring "holes" in the system that must be corrected and have serious, long-term implications toward illegals becoming more and more settled in our country.

One such bill that is presently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives is H.R. 1314, the Photo Identification Security Act, which closes current loopholes in the Patriot Act and IRS rules. This is a long overdue piece of legislation that is only three pages long. In a nutshell, it says that to have access to our nation's financial services, or to do business with the federal government, you must present one of three secure pieces of ID as recognized by our country.

Number one would be a Social Security card along with a government-issued state or federal photo ID. Number two would be a U.S. passport or a foreign nation passport. The third form of ID could be a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service photo ID card such as a permanent resident card, permanent alien card, work card, green card, etc. The bottom line is you have to be here legally.

There is a vital economic need for this immigration-related legislation to be passed now and not get caught up in all of the political wrangling that will tie-up the "comprehensive" bill for months or years. It comes down to the fact that far too many of the greedy banks in this nation - in an effort to tap into the billions in wealth created by the underground economy - as well as our own government agencies are accepting the Mexican "matricula consular card"? as a form of identification. This card, issued by the nation of Mexico for Mexican nationals at dozens of locations throughout the U.S., is available to anyone who requests one without documentation or background checks. It is basically a worthless piece of paper - but to an illegal immigrant it is the key to all of America's riches - bank accounts, loans, credit cards, even mortgages.

The recent uproar over the Bank of America's new marketing plan to get millions of credit cards into the hands of illegals was a slap in the face to our current system. It created a stir in the press which, in true fashion for those who condone the flow of illegals into our country, turned around and said it was a "compassionate" thing to do. In sum, Bank America saw a big fat loophole in the current law and decided to exploit it to reap billions.

And it is not just the billions going into the big banks' coffers that we should be concerned about. Speaking about H.R. 1314 on the floor of Congress last month, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R, TN) reminded us that by using this same loophole, the banks are eager to reap a profit from the tens of thousands of transfers each month that send $23 billion - yes, BILLION - out of our local economies to banks in Mexico. The Congresswoman reminds us that money made in our communities is the backbone of our free enterprise system and key to their economic health. As she stated, "Many communities depend on keeping money in that community and turning the same dollar over, three and a half, four, four and a half or five times to keep the economy humming along...You earn the dollar, you go by the grocery store and make a purchase, and by the dry cleaners and by the shoe shop. You go over and take the kids to a ball game and then ice cream after the game. You buy sporting goods for them to play in that game. Then you go buy new clothes for Easter, and a swim suit for summer, maybe even a swimming pool for the backyard. The point is, the money has to turn over in that community in order for the community to remain viable."

That doesn't happen when billions leave communities all across America and go south to prop up Mexico's economy.

Congress shouldn't have to go through a bunch of political posturing and chest thumping to pass H.R. 1314, the Photo Identification Security Act. This should be a quick bill to pass. Will it happen?


CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATIONAL SECURITY - THE LOOMING THREAT

If you are going to read any articles on climate change anytime soon, we here at NPG heartily recommend this one. No matter what your politics or level of interest in the environment, the information contained in this article provides a valuable insight into two areas which are not traditionally linked, and it clearly demonstrates how they are inexorably tied together.

This fascinating study, "National Security and the Threat of Climate Change" was funded by CNA Corporation, a nonprofit research and analysis group who worked with eleven retired four-star and three-star generals and admirals to provide advice, expertise and perspective on the impact of climate change and national security. Many of the top military leaders cited (who served as Military Advisory Board members and who contributed to this highly informative report) are names familiar to us all. They have helped guide our nation's defenses in recent years and review this issue from unique angles. Click on the link above for a summary of the full report.


LONG COMMUTES INCREASE IN WASHINGTON STATE

Four hours a day commuting to work in a car is something most Americans might associate with Washington, D.C. rather than Washington State. But that's become part of life for thousands of residents in the South Sound area.

A recent story in The Olympian focused on the lifestyle of a number of Evergreen State residents who opt for the long commute for a wide variety of reasons foremost of which are housing costs and wages. The article cited figures that show a 70 percent increase in daily commuters over 15 years that leave Thurston County daily for jobs elsewhere - a number sure to grow.

In this well-balanced article, reporter Diane Huber notes that "commuting comes with a cost," listing less time to spend with their families; loss of connection to their community; the impact on the road system, etc. She quotes Cheryl Simrell King of Evergreen College who sums it up by stating: "Commuting is a manifestation of the bigger problems: the problem of sprawl, the problem of inadequate transportation systems, the problems of this individualized approach to living, [and] the problem of global warming."

What's the future hold for the South Sound area?

By 2030, it is estimated that there will be:
* 64,000 daily outbound commuters - a 129% increase from 2005.
* Almost 34,000 incoming commuters, an 89% increase from 2005.

Jessyn Ferrell, executive director of the Seattle based Transportation Choices Coalition said, "Some researchers are calling freeways tunnels of pollution."

She summed up her concern about the rapid growth of the area's population by adding: "Pushing affordable housing farther from jobs isn't sustainable...We haven't gone far enough in asking, 'How do we solve this problem?'" Click on the link above for the full story.


CONFRONTING THE FUTURE IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

NPG is always pleased to acknowledge elected leaders who understand we simply can't sit around, do nothing, and hope for the best when it comes to population growth. Long range planning can improve the quality of life in every community.

That is why we are pleased to salute both Congressman John Duncan, Jr. (R, TN) of Knoxville, TN and Knoxville City Councilman Joe Hultquist who organized and sponsored the recent "Plain Talk on Quality Growth Conference." The gathering attracted more than 300 local leaders and Congressman Duncan invited U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters to also participate.

Faced with estimates that the 16-county Knoxville area will add as many as 280,000 new residents in the next two decades (equal to the current size of the city of Knoxville plus 100,000 more people), this timely gathering was aimed at finding out how the region could best approach growth.

U.S. Census figures show the area's population stood at a bit more than 1.12 million as of July 2006 - an increase of 83,000 new residents since the 2000 Census. Recent projections call for growth to continue at a rate of at least 75,000 more people every five years. Councilman Hultquist welcomed the diversity of the individuals who signed up for the conference noting, "They're the ones who have to be thinking about the implications of these decisions...And the decisions we make impact more that just the folks within our jurisdictional borders. I think we've got tremendous opportunity for cooperative projects in the future." Click on the link above for the full story.


POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION NEWS NOTES

MISSOURI GOVERNOR CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is a man of action. Following a tip last month that a state contractor had hired illegal workers, he issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to audit all contractors to ensure that contract employees are legally eligible to work in the U.S., and to terminate contracts where a contractor employs illegal immigrants.


QUOTABLE


"I'm going to do something about this issue, immigration and immigration reform. It's as serious as the battles we're fighting overseas. The battles of immigration reform are a battle to define America."

U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo (R, CO)
Radio Interview on WHO in Des Moines, IA.
Announcing his campaign for President


"Magnifying Hispanic [electoral] clout next year will be the front-loaded primary season. California recently decided to move up its primary to February 5. Nevada, a state where Hispanics make up 20% of the population, will hold its Democratic caucus on Jan. 19. And now Texas legislators are considering moving up their primary too. With Denver hosting the Democratic National Convention next year, Democrats in the state legislature also recently quashed an effort to make proficiency in English a state requirement for graduating from high school. Passing such a law, they feared, might undermine the party's support among those who speak Spanish at home."

Brendan Miniter
OpinionJournal Political Diary
April 17, 2007


"..The magnet of amnesty is one that needs to be rejected. And if this body and the body on the other side and our executive branch were to come out four-square, forthrightly against amnesty in any shape or form, many of those illegally in the country now would walk back just like they walked in because they would know that there was no hope of getting that special colored card or getting citizenship. They would know that the only way you get into the United States is to play by the rules. You go back to your home country, and you don't jump in front of those that are going through the process, that are having background checks, that are having their criminal records evaluated so they don't have any. Their health records and their health checks would be undertaken, interviews would be given, they would be playing by the rules."

U.S. Congressman Virgil Goode (R, VA)


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 npg@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 environment.