My mother (Leona) was born on May 14, 1928 in Mobile, AL.  Her mother (Beatrice Petite) was an unwed mother (age 16).  I'm glad that Beatrice made the choice to allow Leona to be taken in by relatives (and ultimately, adopted).

Leona was raised with her relatives in Mobile, while Beatrice departed to live in New York City.  A friend of the Petite family, Alice Washington, informed them that she and her husband (Booker) were willing to adopt and raise Leona in New Orleans.  The Petite family made arrangements, and the adoption took place ...thus allowing Leona to begin a new life in "The Crescent City."  Alice & Booker Washington were of the middle-class, and owned a grocery store in Uptown New Orleans.

I believe that we must enforce stringent education standards. The United States literacy rate has plummeted to an abysmal level (on the world scale). We rank in the BOTTOM HALF of the top 25 ranked countries in the following academic areas: Reading (15th); Math (19th); Science (14th). Our curriculum has resulted in the dumbing-down of our children.  And rather than facing the challenge head-on, we have allowed entertainment and other less important priorities capture their time and attention. We can turn things around by placing less emphasis on “social engineering” curriculum, and placing more emphasis on science and the 3-R’s. Encourage charter & magnet schools, and provide school vouchers in support of parental choice.

Energy independence is directly related to our national security.  We should explore any and all resources that are practical and economically viable (i.e.: can be sustained in the free market without artificial government support/subsidies).  Offshore and onshore drilling, building new refineries, nuclear, natural gas, clean coal, wind, hydroelectric, solar, bio-based sources (and those still being developed) should all be explored in an aggressive, yet measured and responsible manner.  With respect to the environment, we should take the steps necessary to ensure that we are not exploring any of the aforementioned options in a reckless or irresponsible way that would result in substantive harm to our environment.

1. I believe in the “Rule of Law.” We already have laws that say what we should do with those who violate our borders. ENFORCE-THE-LAW! I would push for the following:

a. Strengthening our physical borders by accelerating border security improvements. This would also require our increasing the manpower stationed along our borders.

b. Allowing a time-limited moratorium on prosecuting illegal immigrants in the country, followed-up by STRICT enforcement:

1) Announcing a sixty (60) day period where illegal immigrants can return to their country of origin without penalty. As they exit, they would be encouraged to receive a bio-optic scan (retina scan) and put into a database similar to the Automated Fingerprint ID System (A.F.I.S.). Those that voluntarily exit would be placed on a list for LEGAL immigration, but would get to the BACK-OF-THE-LINE. They would then be eligible to apply for immigration no earlier than 1 year after the end of the 60-day moratorium. Use this 60 day period to publicize the government’s new resolve to protect and strengthen our borders. Businesses would be reminded of requirements for workers (e.g.: use of Form I-9, guest worker program, etc).

2) Working with the Mexican and Canadian governments to establish a U.S. immigration transition office in those countries. This office would be a private subcontractor that follows stringent guidance as outlined in our immigration laws. They would make audio-visual material and literature available (at a nominal fee) to help those seeking immigration to do so by WORKING WITH OUR SYSTEM AND RESPECTING OUR RULE OF LAW. An interactive website would also be made available free of charge. The office would serve as a clearinghouse to refer special urgent cases of those needing or seeking asylum to the U.S. State Department. This new office/agency would be sponsored by major U.S. Corporations and would be economically self-sustaining ...not needing government underwriting.

3) Bio-optically (retinal) scanning any illegal immigrants found on the 61st day and beyond. Maintain a database similar to the Automated Fingerprint ID System (A.F.I.S.). Once they’re scanned, they are then deported to their country of origin, and CANNOT apply for U.S. Citizenship for five (5) years. If they reenter after that, they would be jailed for 12 months, then deported to their country of origin. Once deported for a second time, they would NOT be eligible to apply for U.S. Citizenship for an additional ten (10) years. If caught a third time, they would be fined, then jailed for 2 years. Once released, they would forfeit any chance of getting U.S. Citizenship.

4) Heavily fine companies and/or individuals who harbor, aid & abet illegal immigrants. Fines for companies would be 1% of their gross revenue for EACH infraction. Individual fines would be $1000 for each infraction (e.g.: $15000 if they harbored 15 illegal aliens) children included. Fines and incarceration would DOUBLE with subsequent offenses.

5) Revamping U.S. Census bureau legislation to REQUIRE questions about a person’s legal status in the country. Violations would be reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.). If we are serious about border security, we must be purposeful and decisive in our actions.

6) Depositing all revenue generated by fines into local government and individual state treasuries.