Light Forum

The “ideal plan” of the Spirit of America for this issue can best be summed up in the phrase: “Be a Good Neighbor.” What that means will vary from time to time in the course of human events, so it does not always print out in exactly the same way. It is up to us, living in America, to interpret this admonition wisely in our application of laws.

The effort to “keep Mexicans out” of this country is not one that pleases the spirit. As the poem by Edwin Markham that we have often quoted states:

He drew a circle that shut me out,
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.

Goodwill is an energy that reaches out and embraces others; it creates an ever-widening circle. This does not mean it is our duty to accept everyone who wishes to migrate to this country. But when a job market exists here that draws people from Mexico to be employed, it is hard to justify keeping them out.

We do not need more laws. We have plenty of laws. We have created the current crisis by refusing to enforce these laws. Adding more laws will not solve the problem. Deporting illegal residents will stain our character. We need to work creatively with Mexico to solve the tension that exists.