THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE A Critique of President Bush's `New Temporary Worker Program' Proposal

American Patrol ^ | January 2004 | Mark Dwyer

[robowombat]

When Mr. Bush begun his presidency, the number of illegal aliens was estimated between 4 and 8 millions. As of today, it's estimated between 12 and 20 millions. So, the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. most likely doubled during Mr. Bush's tenure. This fact indicates how impotent his administration has been, and how serious a problem, now requiring extraordinary measures, illegal immigration is. The administration is not going to listen to their core constituencies. It will blindly follow devastating ideas of opening America's borders to hordes of unassimilating "migrants" from Mexico and other Third World countries against clear will of vast majority of American people that it is supposed to serve.

[escapefromboston]

Ping

[TheExperiment_Is_Over]

Ping

[TheZMan]

While a lot of us don't agree with Bush on his immigration policies, I can honestly say we don't agree with some of the things you've said. Since I don't have 3 hours to read through the whole post, I'll simply respond to what you said.

When Mr. Bush begun his presidency, the number of illegal aliens was estimated between 4 and 8 millions. As of today, it's estimated between 12 and 20 millions.
No kidding. Blame lawyers, Civil rights activists, special interest groups, senators in California, and Mr. Fox for this. I won't bother posting proof as it's all over the place.

So, the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. most likely doubled during Mr. Bush's tenure. This fact indicates how impotent his administration has been,
The simple fact that he's transformed 2 countries into democracies doesn't phase you in the slightest does it. It's our fault that people are running across our borders illegally right? I agree something drastic should be done, but prioritization is a necessary component to leadership.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Youch! Long read.

Nothing is going to change right now. What I suggest is that after Kerry's burial in November, we start an email, phone, and letter writing campaign to President Bush, and every single influencial person to express our displeasure and concerns. We should also pay close attention to who expects to be the GOP nominee for the run in 2008.

[robowombat]

What does it profit the average middle class American to bring the putative virtues of parliamentary venality versus the usual clique tyranny venality to some distant land when large areas of the United States are being primed to be a gigantic Bosnia. The importation of pluralities of unassimilated third world and especially Mexicans into the US means their political and cultural attitudes are imported as well. Life in third world countries is hell on earth by the standards of the US. Politicians are a corrupt lot in general but we here have short of the Tweed ring never endured anything like Mexicanized police departments and municipal governments. Police in active collaboration with huge armed criminal groups, home invasion and property theft on a scale that defies belief and brazen broad daylight abductions for either ransom or for impressment into the white slave trade. These are some of the realities of daily life coming to the SW Us if the borders are not secured and sealed.

[Dolphy]

It will blindly follow devastating ideas of opening America's borders to hordes of unassimilating "migrants" from Mexico and other Third World countries against clear will of vast majority of American people that it is supposed to serve.

I ask this, not to be argumentative but to be informed. Why aren't those, in the states that are currently most adversely impacted by illegal immigration, electing people to Congress who can make this a national priority? It may be against the clear will of the American people but it is not a clear priority across the country.

[AppleButter]

The administration is not going to listen to their core constituencies. It will blindly follow devastating ideas of opening America's borders to hordes of unassimilating "migrants" from Mexico and other Third World countries against clear will of vast majority of American people that it is supposed to serve.

The elites who run both parties don't care that the majority of US citizens (from both parties)don't want more immigration. Democrats and Republicans have agreed to not discuss important issues like immigration and trade, but to fight it out on fringe issues like gay marriage and stem cell research. When your government no longer listens to you, it is a tyranny!

[AppleButter]

Why aren't those, in the states that are currently most adversely impacted by illegal immigration, electing people to Congress who can make this a national priority?

The problem is that the campaign donations are to be made from those who benefit from cheap labor - corporations & the elite classes who hire nannies, maids, gardeners. Therefore, it behooves politicians to not bite the hand that feeds them. Someone who tries to be an anti-immigration candidate faces an uphill struggle - no money and the media labels you a racist.

[robowombat]

Americans have been subjected to such an endless barrage of political correctness on the subject that many don't dare strongly object less they be called 'racists'. Middle class Americans spend little time thinking of the long term implications of current events. They have to many other pressing things to do. The effective co-option of real debate on the immigration and border control issue by both parties makes thinking about the issue clearly and trying to take a stand very difficult. The choices offered at election time are simply of the tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber sort. That is why the White House reacted in such a floridly rageful manner to Rep Tancredo's activities. he was violating the implicit agreement by both parties to never really discuss the immigration issue.

[backtothestreets]

Not just GW Bush, but John Kerry and their respective political parties are pushing to reward these criminals. That's right, criminals! They broke the law. Nothing will ever change what they've done to get here. It is a criminal element with an equally criminal mentality.

Nearly 30% of the federal prison population is comprised of non-citizens. That's remarkable considering they comprise a mere 2-4% of the overall population. Even more remarkable is that most of the non-citizens are in prison for committing violent crimes. Very few are in prison for violating immigration laws.

Illegal immigrants must be sent packing. For every illegal immigrant we ship off there is a law abiding non citizen trying to use the legal process to enter our country. These law abiding potential immigrants should be given priority, not criminals.

I'll not mask my feelings on the importance of this issue. I am voting for Peroutka of the Constitution Party as he would deport all illegal immigrants.

REF: Federal Bureau of Prisons: Inmates by Citizenship: http://www.bop.gov/fact0598.html#Citizenship

[TheZMan]

I can use big words too? Good God.

What does it profit the average middle class American to bring the putative virtues of parliamentary venality versus the usual clique tyranny venality to some distant land when large areas of the United States are being primed to be a gigantic Bosnia.
Now you're changing the subject, again. You've departed completely from your original point, changed writing styles, and started using a much more advanced terminology. I'm tempted to respond to a flip-flop, but won't.

The importation of pluralities of unassimilated third world and especially Mexicans into the US means their political and cultural attitudes are imported as well.
That's right. I have no problems, nor do most people, with a multi-cultural society. Our problem is with people being here illegally yet still wanting licenses, free speech and the right to vote - things they are not entitled to by any means.

Life in third world countries is hell on earth by the standards of the US. ...etc...
That doesn't make it right. That doesn't make it acceptable. I don't care about another country's activites and internal workings unless they're needlessly killing people, causing me some sort of harm, or are threaghtening to cause me some sort of harm. Your theories of how the activites inherant in Mexican society will/are bleeding into the southwestern US are unfounded as you're not taking local law enforcement and other governing bodies into account.

[TheZMan]

Democrats and Republicans have agreed to not discuss important issues like immigration and trade, but to fight it out on fringe issues like gay marriage and stem cell research. When your government no longer listens to you, it is a tyranny!
Wait till after the election.

[Digger]

When your government no longer listens to you, it is a tyranny!

Right you are. It doesn't just end with the immigration issue. I can't help but call it the "Two-Party Cartel".

[Joe Hadenuf]

Excellent post. Thanks for this article. A keeper.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Dolphy]

Thanks for the responses. I live in Michigan where the problem is clearly not what it is for other states.

There is a real worker shortage for larger agricultural operations here. I know of two, family owned but large farms that must head to Texas every spring to recruit workers. They don't go to recruit illegals but inevitably end up with some whose phony paperwork is spit back after they submit payroll taxes. (By this time, the season is over.) They would prefer to hire locally but, if they are to be competitive, can only pay so much. The wage might be attractive to a high school kid but OSHA regulations make them ineligible for most of the work they have.

My point is that this entire issue is complex and I'm not settled on where I come down on the need for the labor. (This country was in a large part built on the cheap labor of immigrants, pitting the newest wave against the previous.) But what I am positive about is that I am passionately opposed to the parallel culture that is being formed. We are blowing up the very thing that had America once called the melting pot.

[Joe Hadenuf]

When Mr. Bush begun his presidency, the number of illegal aliens was estimated between 4 and 8 millions. As of today, it's estimated between 12 and 20 millions. So, the number of illegal aliens in the U.S. most likely doubled during Mr. Bush's tenure.

Many have been waiting for him to shut the flood gates, but it appears he is intent on flooding the entire country

[12 Gauge Mossberg]

No kidding. Blame lawyers, Civil rights activists, special interest groups, senators in California, and Mr. Fox for this. I won't bother posting proof as it's all over the place.

So they're to blame for Bush's lack of cojones on the illegal alien issue?

The simple fact that he's transformed 2 countries into democracies doesn't phase you in the slightest does it.

Strawman argument - freeing Iraq and Afghanistan doesn't have anything to do with protecting our borders.

It's our fault that people are running across our borders illegally right?

Yes, it is. Politicians from both parties refuse to do something about the out-of-control borders.

I agree something drastic should be done, but prioritization is a necessary component to leadership

9/11 gave Bush all the priority he needed. Shortly after the attacks, illegal immigration slowed to a trickle. When the illegals realized that nothing was going to be done they continued to stream into the country, along with Middle Easterners.

Look, I'm not stupid. I support Bush and I'll definetly be voting for him on Nov 2nd. But I'm telling you, this issue is a thorn in conservative's side. My biggest fear is that Bush, after safely winning election, will aggressively push his amnesty plan, since he doesn't have to face another reelection campaign. Think of this as a national security crisis, which it really is.

[Joe Hadenuf]

No kidding. Blame lawyers, Civil rights activists, special interest groups, senators in California, and Mr. Fox for this. I won't bother posting proof as it's all over the place.

Huh?

The people of Cal voted 3 to 1 to end this chaotic invasion. (Prop 187) The fedgov stepped in, working in concert with the state government conspirators burned our ballots and declared our free election illegal..

They are all in this together. Don't be fooled.

The fish stinks from the head!