The prompt: write a 500-word essay regarding a current, international issue
My attempt:
The national uproar over the new Arizona immigration legislation is no surprise. It is human nature, after all, to latch onto a polarizing issue if for no other reason than to be polarized. People love a good fight, and there is no greater potential source for fight in this, the holy Land of the Free, than the decision of a legal body over who is free and who is not. While for some this is the worst of it, for the rest of us (those of us, at least, with our rose-colored glasses firmly in place) it is best that the vulgar mob does not cast the final vote. Thank Heaven they do not, because the most vocal of the mob is generally the least educated, or more optimistically, the most inflammatory and persuasive. This is not to say, however, that the legislative and judicial corps will get it right. What it does mean is this, bi-products one and two:
One. The United States of America too often sticks its nose into others’ business. What does this have to do with Arizona? Shift the angle of perspective: perhaps the country should remain more insular—less extroverted. Fewer problems come to those who eschew the fight. This amounts to one of two things in the AZ-Immigration debacle: either we let everyone in, or we don’t; either we extend the same benefits of all US citizenry to anyone who crosses the borders, or we get enough troops to stop everyone who tries. As long as we tread the gray area and delineate exceptions with thousand-page laws, we will gain no traction, and the mobs—educated and non, political and wall-flower—will remain fed for polarization. It’s like disciplining a three-year-old. Keep it simple. Keep it black and white. Otherwise, confusion; otherwise, polarization. And polarization, as any politician knows, is utter disaster (unless you’re the challenger).
Two. If the author, me, represents the average citizen, Joe, then I need to be more involved. There is perhaps no greater sin of omission than inactivity in the elective and political processes, especially after griping about the incumbent and its decisions. The very fact that such an outrage as AZ-Immigration exists (outrage that “they would do such a thing!” and outrage that “those people are outraged!”), and that I am among the outraged and dissatisfied, should indicate that I need to be more involved. In fact, more than that, I, Average Joe, should incite greater involvement among those around me. I should write letters. I should sign petitions. I should do (intransitive of “do” used intentionally).
The country gets excited about such opportunities as Arizona’s border difficulties, because then they have something to complain about. Complaints are inevitable. There is no right answer to the problem—certainly, at least, no answer that will sate all the slavering masses along the political spectrum. The issue is simply symptom of bigger problems: wishy-washy solutions, and political passivity. It is time for me, average Joe, not to take my stand, but do something about it.
