Dream or Nightmare

July 2004, was the first time I had been inspired by a speech since the I Have a Dream speech, given by Dr. Martin Luther King, in August of 1963. When Barack Obama gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, I felt then, this man had a future in American Politics. Never did I realize he would be our 44th President. So far, he appears to be doing well. There are some things I do not agree with. I am concerned about the General Motors bailout and bankruptcy. But, I am also concerned about his administration’s appearance, of a lack of enthusiasm, with the E Verify Program.

The E Verify Program, formerly named the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program, is a web based program where employers can join an information data base to verify the citizenship or legality of a new hire. Former President George W. Bush proposed, in his administration’s fiscal 2009 budget, to add $100 million dollars to enhance and expand this program. A recommendation was also made to make it mandatory for government contractors to use this program. This is the website outlining the budget proposal;
"Department of Homeland Security 2009 Budget Proposal
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/budget/dhs.pdf

On January 29 of this year the Obama administration postponed this regulation from taking effect. The website outlining the reasons for this decision is;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123335106500434589.html
Now, I am not a supporter of the previous administration but, I do support this program and I am very concerned that the Obama administration is dragging their feet on this. In an age of terrorism, border control and high unemployment, it is imperative to know who is working in this country and make sure only American Citizens or Legal Aliens with a Work Permit are allowed employment.

This program may not be full proof but, in my opinion, it is the best plan we have going. I believe we should work on the shortcomings of this program and improve upon it. We should make this program mandatory for all business owners in this country, in particular to; Government Contractors who take government funds to employ workers.

So, I ask President Obama to give this program a good close look and support the goals it wishes to achieve. What I am afraid of is, if President Obama and his Administration do not do more to protect and look out for the American Worker, like he says he is, then the Dream I thought I heard in 2004, may turn out in four years, to be more of a Nightmare.

That’s How I See It.

Websites of reference;
^ "Department of Homeland Security 2009 Budget Proposal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_a_Dream
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123335106500434589.html
http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/95/84.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Verify