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The blog’s last posting wasn’t too welcomed by my republican friends. I’ve been reminded that the democrats are just as bad. I disagree with the “just as” part, and I am tempted to explain why but that’s bringing us firmly into politics. And of course this blog is all about what to watch out for when considering a sober life and joining a 12 step program.

“Avoid answering the questions by asking your own”  is not only a favorite tactic of the faithful of AA, but its also a favorite tactic of this country’s political parties. Since the GOP took a lot of hits from me in the last post, the DNC will be my example in this post.

Take a look at this article in the Los Angeles Weekly; many of you folks living in larger cities experienced similar demonstrations from legal and illegal immigrants. Certainly anyone flipping the channels last week spotted this on the news. We are all familiar with the pro’s and con’s on this arguement. And we WONT BE talking about them here. Its not the point of this posting.

I just want to use this article to demonstrate a debating tactic often used by the GOP and the DNC. Readers of this blog have seen my back and forth debating in the comments section where the same exact tactic was used by my critics. Rather than rehash those circular arguements all over again, I thought showing this article and point out its tactics would be a clearer example for my audience who is unfamilar with AA and its 12 steps.

So, on to the article. The aritcle brings up many good reasons why tougher immigration laws would not be fair. It cites the many benefits the country gets from the illegal immigrants’Â labors. It questions the fairness of tougher laws. The article raises many questions. What the article never does is answer the questions and issues that the people who oppose illegal immigration raise.

No one against illegal immigration denies these people mostly are hard workers.
No one against illegal immigration denies they are almost always paid low wages.
No one against illegal immigration denies they pay sales tax and often pay all the wage taxes that full citizens pay.
No one against illegal immigration denies that this nation was founded by immigrants.

And yet these are the issues answered in this article. At least for this last week, they are almost always the ‘questions’ every supporter answers on all the newscasts we’ve seen.

BUT THESE ARE NOT the questions or issues that those opposed to illegal immigration cite as the reasons why they want illegal aliens kept out.

People against illegal immigration cite the cost to the STATES for emergency and health services.
People against illegal immigration cite the cost to counties and municipalities for additional low cost housing, k-12 schools, law enforcement and homeless shelter services.
People against illegal immigration cite the burden on all levels of law enforcement dealing with gang activity.

That last one is the hot spot of hot spots. Its practically racist of me to suggest illegal aliens are an issue in crime and gang activity. Its a form of racism. AND YET the sterotype of nanny/maid Maria and yardworker Pedro, working long hard hours and so very grateful for their low wages, these stero types are happily put to work by the pro immigration people when needed.

So what’s the point ? The Point is………………we are willing to be dishonest in our debates when it suits our needs. You ask what about the burden of cost on emergency medical care? And they answered “What about the sales tax they pay?”.

I say “I prayed for over 8 years on a daily basis and 8 years without praying and the results in my sober life are the same”…..and the AA faithful reply back “Have you tried being humble?”

The AA example can be strange to say the least to you folks who have never known the 12 step program. I hope this posting was helpful in demonstrating the tactic in more familar terms.

type at you later,

Harry A.