We have to have humane, enforceable laws that strengthen and unite the country.

Along those lines, open discussion and civilized debate -as appear on this website – seem invaluable. If the Senate held open hearings, openly published the entire bill, and went through the normal legislative process, then there would be far less rhetoric and more informed opinions.

Details matter – especially on complicated issues like immigration. Let me share one example. The current naturalization law requires applicants to "read, write, and speak English". What does that actually mean? Read and understand the Washington Post? USA Today? A cartoon strip? A food warning label?

How will applicants be tested? Will they be required to sit through a 40 hour class on civics and languge like in the 1986 amnesty bill? Or will the standard resemble Bill Clinton's 1995 naturalization rush where applicants had to write two sentences – and spelling errors were allowed. The favorite dictations in Los Angeles Adult schools – where I taught citizenship at the time were: "I love the U.S.A." and "My family lives in L.A." Wow! What standards!

We can and should do better. I'm zooming in on the language requirements because almost everyone favors encouraging and even forcing new citizens to learn English. It's also the law, but the open borders now and forever fanatics seem to care very little about the rule of law.

Given the paucity of real information and the reluctance to have an open debate by elites in government, the Chamber of Commerce, and the mainstream media, it's hard to make a fair evaluation of the proposed bipartisan compromise.

But, when in doubt and fighting secrecy, vote no!