By Ross Balano, Midwest Voices Columnist 2008

Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama today speaking to the National Council of La Raza in San Diego promised amnesty for the more than 12 million illegal immigrants that are living in the United States.

Here’s a bit of what Obama had to say: “Yes, they broke the law. And we should not excuse that. We should require them to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for citizenship - behind those who came here legally. But we cannot - and should not - deport 12 million people. ”

Obama went on to say: “That's why we need to offer those who are willing to make amends a pathway to citizenship. That way, we can reconcile our values as both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.”

That’s amnesty any way you look at it. How does “a nation of laws” ignore the fact that 12 million people broke the law of the land by granting them amnesty?

Do you really suppose he’ll insist that all of those 12 million people learn to speak English? Does that mean we won’t have to “press one for English” anymore?

This is shameful pandering to a group that doesn’t give a hoot about what’s best for America.

A real leader wouldn’t pander this way. What should be done is to insist that anyone who applies for citizenship should have to do so from their country of origin. Anything less is amnesty and a slap in the faces of all those who came here legally.

The border wall should be completed. Once that is done we should streamline our immigration process to make it easier for immigrants to be granted legal entry if they are willing to learn English and become Americans.