To the editor:

Some situations we get into are difficult; others just seem that way.

David Kruse seemed quite befuddled over the problem of immigration (July 30 issue). Here are some thoughts that might help.

But first, we must review a few civic lessons.

• The U.S. is a sovereign country.

• We are a representative country democracy under an adopted constitution.

• Representatives are elected by the people to protect us from our own government, the governments of other nations, immoral and unethical persons in this country to ensure us life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The fewer the laws and smaller the government, the more liberty wee enjoy. For a country to be truly free, it must be moral.

Concerning Mr. Kruse’s dilemma over illegal immigration, the key word is illegal. Over the years, our elected lawmakers, in order to protect our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, have passed laws limiting the number of people who can immigrate to the U.S. legally.

An unlimited number of illegal immigrants would drive down wages, overburden our resources and drop the standard of living for our country.

Any illegal behavior violates the laws passed by our legislators. It doesn’t matter if it’s murder, robbery, tax evasion, entering the country illegally, or hiring an illegal immigrant — Illegal is illegal.

This issue becomes “befuddling” when people decide they can break law, usually because it puts more dollars in their pockets. However, it does hurt other U.S. citizens.

Instead of paying $15 per hour to milk cows, raise pigs, pour cement or slaughter livestock, the industry gets by paying much less.

The solution is simple enforce the existing laws, from the president on down. There are enough laws on the books if they would just be enforced. It is just as wrong to hire an illegal immigrant, or fail to enforce the law, as it is to drive the getaway car, receive stolen property or withhold evidence from a murder investigation.

The solution lies in the phrase “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Let’s listen to the people for a change.

Darwin Hofmeister

Ackley