We must not fear Utopia!

I am frustrated by the fear mongering and mean spirited dialogue regarding the immigration debate. I recently received a picture from a friend that showed several dozen recently rounded up Illegals all shackled together with border patrol agents escorting them down a trail in the desert. While I stared at the picture I recounted in my mind the headlines screaming from right wing sources about "terrorists" and "criminals" surging across the border intent on doing us harm. But what I saw there in that picture were "huddled masses yearning to be free". I don't doubt that there are a handful of criminals, and possibly a terrorist or two, within this picture somewhere. But by a vast majority, I believe those were fathers with dreams within their minds of a better life for their children. The same dream exactly that was in my great great grandfather's mind when he climbed aboard that ship leaving Ireland with a young wife nine month's pregnant. How can we condemn what a man does in the name of providing for his family? It is exactly what any of us would do under the same circumstances.
However, we have to look at reality and limitations that exist on resources to provide for these people that are heading this way. In the short term we can help them exist. Through a compassionate collaboration of government and faith based efforts we can support those people in the short term. But if the issues remain the same that are driving their flight from Mexico, nothing will change and we risk ruining the standard of living possible in the United States. I suggest we have to look at what can be done to shift the beacon of hope from the U.S. to a place within the Mexican borders. Why would we fear creating the foundation of Mexican utopia? We have no hesitation to throw billions toward military adventurism around the globe. We have military advisers in dozens of countries and we just accept it as necessary. Why don't we invest in creation of a zone in Mexico that generates food, employment, education and cultural Renaissance? I have dreamed lately of a 300 mile wide belt from Hermosillo to Tampico of just such activity. I see new cities connected to old cities by new roads with farms along side of them all the way. New universities teaching engineering and agriculture. Massive manufacturing centers surrounded by urban housing with large village squares where vendors sell food and musicians play. Vibrant school systems that produce well nourished and well educated students for the universities and workers for industry. Everywhere sculpture is evident and people are free to think and create. I have no doubt it is possible.
But I fear, what Americans really desire is to increase suffering in Mexico. In our minds we believe some twisted thought process that assures us that if we can view others hopeless and slowly sinking into despair, it is proof that we are better than they are. Americans want to point across the border at the suffering and be able to tell their children that this is proof of our superior standing in the eyes of God. I know in my heart that God does not acknowledge pathetic imaginary lines drawn by man on the beautiful earth creation. I believe such things are in fact offensive to God. Utopia is within possibility in Mexico if we cared. And utopia is possible for us in the United States too, the world and most of all, it needs to be in our hearts as we envision a future for those citizens of all nations who will come after us.