A key reason Congress is struggling to pass health insurance reform: Lawmakers are trying to do too much all at once. The more “comprehensive” a bill becomes, the more difficult it is to build support for it.

Two years ago, Congress and President Bush failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The proposal was simply too sweeping. In trying to deliver something for everyone, it wound up imposing something almost everyone could oppose.

If Congress wants to make real progress, it should embrace the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. Instead of trying to completely re-work the immigration system, lawmakers ought to focus on a few parts of the problem. Solve them piece by piece. That would make the entire problem simpler to deal with in the long run.

Yes, policymakers need to shore up our country’s porous frontiers. Our border patrol needs more personnel and better equipment. But such changes will take months or even years to kick in. Meanwhile, Congress should help employers hire legal workers. That would swiftly help boost the economy while increasing America’s security, sovereignty and social fabric.

What’s needed is a market-based temporary worker program. Such a program would allow potential workers to apply for temporary visas at sites outside the United States. They would be pre-approved and could enter this country for a limited time.

That way those who employ temporary workers for just a few months each year -- say farmers who need labor to pick a particular crop -- can be certain they’re hiring people who are allowed to work. It also would discourage illegal immigration by providing a way for workers to come legally, earn money and return home. Anyone caught overstaying a temporary visa would be permanently banned from the program.

At the same time, Washington should strengthen E-Verify. Using information gathered by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, E-Verify helps employers confirm that newly-hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. Continued...