Boy, have things changed since 1996!

In clearing out some personal papers I came across a form letter from then Congressman Gary Condit. It was a May 6, 1996 update on legislation nearly 20 years ago. Condit was giving an update on some key legislative issues, one of them being illegal immigration.

Condit explained that the House just passed immigration reform legislation which "would block illegal entrants to the United States and makes changes intended to reduce the ‘magnet' of jobs and benefits that draw illegal aliens to the United States."

Ah oh. Condit, a Democrat, just used the term "illegal aliens." We've been told that's a dirty phrase today. Jerry Brown made it a no-no to use in state circles. What a political Neanderthal that Condit was. He actually believes lawbreakers needed to be called what they are. But, of course, politicians were not enlightened back then like they are today. Enlightened politicians shift policy to benefit their power base, change their opinions like political Silly Putty. A good example of that is Barack Obama doing an about-face on gay marriage once he face his final campaign for the White House. Even aides knew he lied in 2008 about his real position just to gain mainstream voter support.

Condit goes on: "The (House) bill doubles the number of border patrol agents, permanently bars those who enter illegally from every being admitted legally, establishes a pilot program in five states that enables employers to voluntarily check the immigration status of prospective employees, increases the inspectors to enforce the law against hiring illegal aliens, denies most federal benefits to illegal aliens and streamlines deportation procedures."

Wow, did that House bill miss the mark or what? Did the 1996 bill do anything to stem the tide? Can I hear a resounding no? An estimated 5 million illegals were in the USA in 1996. There were 11.3 million illegals living in the United States in 2014, down from 12.2 million in 2007.

Fact: Half of all illegal aliens, or 5.9 million, are from Mexico. The states of California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois harbor 60 percent of all illegal aliens living in the U.S.

Fact: Illegals make up 5.1 percent of the U.S. labor force. The left would have you believe that they only do the dirty jobs the white folk won't do. You know, like the Foster Farms egg picking job I did when I was 18 and attending college back in 1979 and 1980. Maybe I just had a better work ethic than kids do today but no work - not even sliding around on chicken manure-covered floors in chicken houses - was beneath me. But I do know there are a lot of kids today who need to work but can't because they have been displaced by illegally hired workers.

Apparently a lot of those hiring workers are being duped with false documents or just aren't checking to verify Social Security numbers. (It is illegal for employers to not verify work authorization. Three days after an employee is hired, employers should correctly complete an I-9. Failing to do so will subject employers to criminal and civil punishment.)

Condit sounds an even "meaner" tone by today's Democrat's standards as he writes: "The (House) bill also allows states the option of denying public education to illegal aliens. No one supports throwing children in school out of school. But it is reasonable to allow school authorities to check status when parents first enroll their children. Again, it is a question of resources. California taxpayers pay over $1.5 billion yearly to educate illegal alien children."

What a bully, that Gary Condit. He actually had the audacity to note that our tax dollars were educating people who aren't even legally entitled to be here. Oh silly me, that was in the dark ages before the Enlightened Ones came along.

Don't be fooled. Democrats in Sacramento had it right: All they needed to do was cater to minority constituents, pass legislation to give aliens drivers' licenses and adopt the Dream Act, and they'd have a loyal voting base and job security. Wait until they push for aliens to have the right to vote.

Yes, things have changed. Condit, a conservative Democrat, was clearly against illegal immigration and the harm it was - and is - causing our nation. Try $4.2 billion in costs to U.S. taxpayers each year. On the other hand, Denham, a moderate Republican in the vein of John McCain, is heralded by Latinos for promoting a pathway to citizenship. Perhaps he is all about job security as well and thinks to do otherwise might be his political demise.

Donald Trump has proven that you can gain popularity by sticking to the notion that we have laws and let's follow them. He has climbed higher in the polls than ever believed possible because he has told Americans that a wall needs to go up between the United States and Mexico. His website also calls for:

• Tripling the number of Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to uphold the law;

• Implementing a nationwide e-verify for employment;

• A mandatory return of all criminal aliens;

• Detention, not catch and release at the border;

• Withholding all federal funds for so-called sanctuary cities like San Francisco so they desist their illegal way;

• Enhancing penalties for those overstaying visas;

• Having ICE officers cooperate with local gang task forces;

• End birthright citizenship, those so-called anchor babies.

Most Americans know that there must be common sense and a limit to American compassion. According to the 2013 American Community Survey, there were more than 41.3 million immigrants, or 13 percent, of the total U.S. population of 316.1 million. The percentage of immigrants is higher than ever before. For example, in 1970 that figure was 4.7 percent. By far the biggest immigrant group was from Mexico, or 28 percent of all 41.3 million legal immigrants.

In 2013, 990,553 foreign nationals became lawful permanent residents. One avenue is a lottery, which accounts for five percent of the nearly one million legal immigrants annually. Before receiving permission to come here, lottery winners must provide proof of a high school education or its equivalent or show two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience. They also must pass a medical exam and a background check.

Just how many of the illegal aliens sneaking across the border do you think meets that standard?

America cannot harbor the world. The lifeboat will only hold so many people before it bursts and sinks. And we cannot afford it.

Washington has failed us as evidence by a flurry of non-politicians stomping all over the seasoned insiders.

The time for business as usual is over.

How do you feel? Let Jeff know by emailing him at jeffb@cerescourier.com