What America is Michael Gerson living in?

In the Washington Post, columnist and former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson pronounces the new Arizona immigration law “understandable — and dreadful.” Gerson says states do not have the authority “to take control of American immigration policy — an authority that Arizona has seized in order to abuse.” The effect of the new law, he argues, will be bad for everybody:

It makes it harder for illegal immigrants to live without scrutiny — but it also makes it harder for some American citizens to live without suspicion and humiliation. Americans are not accustomed to the command “Your papers, please,” however politely delivered. The distinctly American response to such a request would be “Go to hell,” and then “See you in court.”