The price of anything is not always measured in dollars and cents. Occasionally, we are assessed a cost that we are unaware of . . . or worse - we think about it but ignore the consequences. As more and more people are compressed into smaller and smaller communities, legislators, claiming to protect us, pass laws restricting human behavior California passes more than one thousand laws every year - many of these laws replace individual responsibility with legislative oversight. Individual freedom becomes a price we pay. Unauthorized or illegal immigration is currently a divisive issue in the U.S. and the potential price to be paid in terms of personal freedom or exposure to terrorism is yet unknown. I have attempted to present an impartial examination of population and immigration issues in the hope that we, as a society, might recognize the "The Price We Pay" if we continue to ignore these issues.
About the Author: About the author: Social Science and philosophy were primary studies while attending San Jose State College. His college tenure was brought to an end in 1960 when he was drafted into the US Army. His tour of duty included a trip to West Germany in 1962 resulting from the construction of the Berlin Wall. He was honorably discharged in 1963 and subsequently became a Tax Representative for the CA State Board of Equalization for nine years. He left civil service to become a general manager of Roundtable Pizza. Following that experience he became a licensed Real Estate agent for 12 years, a business management consultant, an owner of a convenience store/deli, four years as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Marina, CA, one year as a member of the Civil Grand Jury (Monterey County, CA). He was born 1937, in Lakin, Kansas. The infamous dust storms resulted in a move to California in 1942 under the shadow of World War II. By 1943, the family settled in South Sacramento. In those days Sacramento was considerably smaller, gas was priced at ten cents a gallon and the minimum wage was 40 cents an hour. A person who could earn $100 a week was considered well off. Insurance was affordable and healthcare was reasonably priced; but most of all most people knew and associated with their neighbors. Folsom Boulevard was the main artery to Lake Tahoe and it flooded nearly every year. Folsom Dam was built as a flood control measure since the entire Sacramento valley was blessed with ample water. He was, as we all are, spectators to history. The Sacramento area has gone from a small community to a confusing maze of highways, roads and streets. It is unlikely that neighbors are on speaking terms, the valley no longer has abundant water, the cost of living is excessive and the $10 minimum wage is not nearly enough. This is part of the price we pay for over-population.