BUSH SPEAKS TONIGHT

President Bush will make his address to the nation tonight on the issue of what the politically correct among us refer to as "illegal immigrants" or the "immigration" problem. The "immigrant" word seems to have stuck. It's just a nicer way of saying "gate crasher." The proper phrase is not "anti-immigrant" because these people aren't immigrants. Immigration is a legal procedure, and those who ignore the legalities and just flow across the border in violation of our laws don't earn that label. If these home invaders are immigrants, than we could just as easily apply the same name to an invading army. Call them what they are, and please don't cloak them with the same respect do most of our ancestors who followed the law and waited in line to get here.

By the way ... apparently talk show hosts like me are part of the problem. Over the weekend I read the words of some columnists who made references to "anti-immigrant talk radio." Secondly, instead of "anti-immigrant," what's the matter with the phrase "pro-sovereignty?"

We're really going to have to wait until after Bush's little speech tonight before the real discussion starts, but there are a few points I would sure like for him to cover.

1. We're supposed to have a military capacity in this country to fight two separate wars in two separate areas of the globe at the same time. Now we hear that we don't even have enough troops to put on the Mexican-American border. If we can't stop the Mexicans from invading the U.S., we sure as hell can't stop Kim Jong Il from invading South Korea. Sup wid dat?

2. Does your idea of a path to citizenship put these illegals who have flooded our country ahead of those who have followed the rules and who have gone to our embassies and consulates, filled out the proper paperwork, and then have waited for their return phone call? If so, aren't we, the great country of the rule-of-law, rewarding these people for ignoring those laws?

3. Are you willing to place harsh penalties on American employers who hire illegals? We know that these employers of illegals are huge supporters of the Republican Party. Can you put your oath of office to defend the borders of this country ahead of those campaign contributions?

4. Do you have the courage to tell Vicente Fox that his open support and encouragement of the Mexican invasion is not making him any friends in this country, and that it will no longer be tolerated?

5. Are you willing to take a principled position and stand up to the sure-to-come demands from the left that non-citizen Mexicans and Hispanics be allowed to vote in local elections around the country?

Speaking of El Presidente .... Mexican president Vicente Fox called Bush yesterday to ask if he was militarizing the border. Well, duhhhhh. Pretty nervy guy, that Vicente. Let's see ... the Mexican government is openly encouraging the invasion of the United States by it's low-skilled workers. The Mexican government even prints instructions on how to cross the border, and to avoid being caught once in the US. There are reports -- too many to ignore -- of uniformed Mexican troops appearing along the border to assist Mexicans in getting across, even reports of illegals being ferried across the border in Mexican army troop carriers. And, to top it off, there are reports that uniformed Mexican troops have actually fired on U.S. Border Patrol agents trying to intercept Mexican drug smugglers. In the face of all this .... Vicente Fox calls Bush to ask if he's militarizing the border?

Fox has a lot at stake here. Mexico is a country rich in natural resources and people. There is no reason Mexico can't be a thriving economic power unto itself -- no reason, that is, except for the rampant corruption throughout the Mexican government. The illegals streaming across the border into the U.S. give Fox relief on at least two fronts. One, they relieve the pressure for reform that could lead to jobs and opportunities in Mexico. Two, the illegal invaders represent about a $20 billion per year boost to the Mexican economy. That's "free," if you will, money just flowing into Mexico via wire transfers from the gate crashers living and working in the U.S. Oh ... and by the way ... that's $20 billion that's not being spent here to boost our economy.

Bush will take the position tonight that there is just no practical way that we can deport the 12 million illegal Mexican and Hispanic aliens now in this country. Fine .. I agree. We can't deport them. Logistically, it would be a nightmare and would most likely result in violence and riots in many American cities. We can, though, yank out the welcome mat. I've gone through this on the air and in the Nuze before, but just in case the president's speech writers wanted to take a look at my notes before they polished up Bush's remarks, (yeah ... right) ... here's just how to reverse the flow:

1. Harsh .. to the draconian level .. penalties against any employer who knowing hires any workers who are not in this country legally.

2. Punishment - though milder - of any employers who hire illegals because they didn't conduct due diligence in the hiring process.

3. Change the law to deny citizenship to children born to a woman who is in this country illegally.

4. No children of illegals in American government schools.

5. Deny all social welfare benefits to anyone who is in this country illegally with the one exception of life-saving medical care.

6. Confiscate a substantial portion of the monies earned in this country by illegal immigrants. We confiscate drug money because it was earned illegally, so why can't we confiscate the money earned by illegals? I'm not saying take it all. Leave them enough to buy some food and get a bus ticket to Matamoras.

Does all this sound harsh? Sorry ... I suppose it is ... but these people are criminals. They are NOT, as their signs proclaim, America. The idea here is to make them feel as unwelcome here as we possibly can. Yank out the welcome mat from under their feet. Make them prefer life in their own country to a life of deprivation here.

There's a letter making the Internet rounds. It was a letter to the editor of a newspaper in North Carolina, but I've been unable to track it down. Whoever wrote it ... it's brilliant. Here you go:

To the Editor: Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests. Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your home you insist that I leave. But, I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors: I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest ... except for that part where I broke into your house. "According to the protestors, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan and provide other benefits for me and my family. My husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest ... except for that breaking in thing. "If you try to call the police or force me out I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be here. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest .... ummmmm .... except for that breaking in thing. "Besides. What a deal it is for me! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker! Did I miss anything? Does this sound reasonable to you? If it does, grab a sign and go picket something. If this sounds insane to you call your senators and enlighten them because they are stumbling in the darkness right now and really need your help. (Name? _______________)

Well ... let's see what Bush has in store for us tonight. I'm virtually certain he is going to make the case for the 12 million illegals in this country staying. Add that to the past amnesties and we'll have about 30 million or so Mexicans and Hispanics in this country who came here illegally and later had their behavior cleansed for the sake of politics.