Immigration Debacle: All-or-nothingism begat nothing [The Anchoress]

http://theanchoressonline.com/ ^ | September 15, 2007 | The Anchoress

[DCPatriot]

Given the responses I got the last time I focused on this issue, I almost hate to bring it up…but here goes.

I think Tony Snow is exactly right when he says here:

“I deeply admire what [Mr. Bush] did on immigration and I think he’s right,” Mr. Snow said. “I think the policies the president outlined generally are the ones that eventually this country is going to adopt.”

Let us hope so, because the alternative “solutions” out there - “let everyone in and register them all Democrat” on the left and “ship them all back to Mexico no matter how long they’ve been here or how productive” - are neither workable nor just.

Snow also says, here,

“the White House was not prepared for the anger of foes of illegal immigration

For crying out loud, that’s a staggering statement when even I - a lowly and not terribly bright housewife - completely understood the mood of the illegal immigration extremists. They were not interested in any sort of “half-measure” by President Bush - they did not want Bush do what Reagan always tried to do, “get 75% of what you want and come back later for the rest.” No, the extremists on this issue, crying, “we’re the base, you better dance with who brung ya,” were relentlessly uncompromising on the matter of illegal immigration and President Bush - and any other politicians who disagreed with them or sought a more workable solution than “ship them back and build high, high walls” had their rhetorical heads smashed repeatedly against the rhetorical curbside.

I still have a few dents, myself.

The illegal immigration hardliners demanded “all or nothing at all,” from President Bush and the GOP leadership. And now, they have nothing, and no political power to do much of anything. Illegal immigrants are still entering the nation mostly unchecked. The useless NIS is no closer to being reformed and retooled into something useful. There are no plans to design as sort of Ellis Island West, to actually process potential citizen immigrants “the way my grandfather came into New York - legally!” as the hardliner crows. Nothing is being done. But hey…at least the folks with the high, strong principals can sleep at night knowing they didn’t compromise!

A long time ago I wrote that the blood of many may well rest on the heads of those who would not get serious about the War on Terror. By the same token, I think it would not be completely unfair to state that the increases and excesses of illegal immigrants - and whatever political fall-out or legislative impotence comes from once more refusing to deal realistically with an issue that has been ignored for decades - will rest on the heads on those who took a hard, uncompromising line; those who managed to drop-kick the first president to try to effect positive change, and further weaken his entire presidency, while still getting nothing done. This issue was not well-played, folks. And just because the only ones still talking about it are the one-noters in internet forums doesn’t mean the issue is put to bed. Far from it. The reckoning - and the issue itself - has simply been kicked down the road for the time being, launched by a tantrum of “conservative anger”, which sent it nowhere good.

In the Wall Street Journal today the editorial writers take a look at how the hardline stance against illegal Mexican immigrants (come on, you never hear about the illegal Irish all over Boston or Long Island) can hurt the GOP and conservatives politically. They’re right to be concerned. When conservative and Republicans find themselves further weakened politically because they’ve managed to give the back of their hand to what every year becomes a more substantial portion of the electorate, who will they blame? They’ll have no right to blame George W. Bush - who tried to deal with the issue - but they may try to. It’s easy to blame Bush for everything, after all. But the truth is, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.

I have a suspicion, just a little one - it’s anecdotal and nothing I can cite - but a suspicion nonetheless that some of the folks who jumped on the “all or nothing, ship them back, Bush has betrayed the base” bandwagon are beginning to regret the ride…turns out it was just a merry-go-round, after all.

[tarheelswamprat]

Those who are paying attention could be willing to make those in D.C. pay a price in votes.

I believe there is a seething undercurrent of outrage among the American citizenry flowing beneath the radar of the elites. The illegal alien issue is only one component of this. It also entails a confluence of the arrogance and corruption of the MSM and elected officials of both parties, their brazen double-standards and refusal to uphold the rule of law on many different issues, and their easy acceptance of a culture of institutionalized treason among the MSM, our Beltway elites and their enabling bureaucracies.

It's just a gut feeling, but I believe there is a perfect storm brewing and that the next election will be a bloodbath for incumbents of both parties...

[no-to-illegals]

the diminished prospects for Republicans in 2008.

I agree with all but this part. When there are candidates beginning to portray the message supported by 80% plus of the people who will vote. The democrats do not have the upper hand on this issue. Should the democrats continue their way on this path, I am excited this could be the straw for the camel's back, once the voting begins.

[Infidel1571]

“okay, I stand corrected....I always stand when being corrected......Salute!”

After the 2004 election, we got the “authentic” George W. Bush. The big-spending liberal.

[Infidel1571]

“It’s just a gut feeling, but I believe there is a perfect storm brewing and that the next election will be a bloodbath for incumbents of both parties...”

Your gut feeling is no doubt correct.

[dirtboy]

How could you type that with a straight face?

For the reasons stated, DC. The clear, historical and present reasons stated. The fact that you can't grasp those as common sense is probably due to your proximity to the Beltway crowd.

[stephenjohnbanker]

We had “open borders Bush” way before 2004.

[no-to-illegals]

I too sense an outrage below the radar. Time will tell, but I would not want to be a congressperson supporting the path of ‘do nothing’ or ‘amnesty’. Because of this issue, 80% of the public may do what the politicians say cannot be done. This is good, when politicians have to take the ‘Will of the People’ under consideration. The illegal issue may be a straw but it could become a bridge abutment.

[Infidel1571]

“We had “open borders Bush” way before 2004.”

True, but he wasn’t as arrogant about it back then.

[Will88]

“I agree with all but this part. When there are candidates beginning to portray the message supported by 80% plus of the people who will vote. The democrats do not have the upper hand on this issue. Should the democrats continue their way on this path, I am excited this could be the straw for the camel’s back, once the voting begins.”

The problem is, I’ve followed the immigration issue fairly closely since 1986 and Simpson-Mazzoli. Polls have shown for years that up to 80% of Americans opposed illegal immigration, wanted stricter enforcement, and even a reduction of legal immigration. But those big majorities never made immigration a vote deciding issue, and returned open borders, lax enforcement reps. to Washington again and again. If voters will FINALLY make immigration a vote deciding issue in 2008, your statement will be correct. But I’m still not confident that will happen. It certainly didn’t happen in 2006 after the defeat of that Congress’ attempt to pass amnesty for Jorge.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“True, but he wasn’t as arrogant about it back then”

Agreed. He waited for reelection to promote illegal immigration, and promote it he did....relentlessly.

[no-to-illegals]

yes, time will tell.

[DCPatriot]

How could you type that with a straight face?

For the reasons stated, DC. The clear, historical and present reasons stated. The fact that you can't grasp those as common sense is probably due to your proximity to the Beltway crowd.

So..you're saying there are no benefits derived from illegals?

A half TRILLION dollars in government coffers due to unmatched SS#'s...

..."Full Employment", with 4.5% most likely unemployable drug addicts or other self-inflicted neurosis rendering them zombies>

And speaking of "historical reasons....It was pointed out to me that the Indians fought illegal immigration for 400 years and lost too...yet who could argue the country hasn't benefited?

[DCPatriot]

It certainly didn’t happen in 2006 after the defeat of that Congress’ attempt to pass amnesty for Jorge.

No matter how many times you tell a lie....in the end IT'S STILL A LIE!

The defeated Immigration Bill was NOT amnesty.

[no-to-illegals]

Maybe the native Americans can teach the now native Americans a lesson.....
A guilt complex is showing in your distaste for Americans.

[Infidel1571]

“Agreed. He waited for reelection to promote illegal immigration, and promote it he did....relentlessly.”

We thought the immediate post-election speech about his “political capital” would involve something like Social Security reform. Something he CAMPAIGNED ON.

Oh, no. It meant helping his preferred country - Mexico - at our expense.

Why did I vote for him again?
How dare that man. He’s more brazen than even Clinton. Clinton could at least be shamed into going along with the right thing on occasion. He was a political animal, after all, not a “true believer”.

[Infidel1571]

“The defeated Immigration Bill was NOT amnesty.”

Of course it was. It even went further than just an “amnesty”.

[Will88]

“True, but he wasn’t as arrogant about it back then.”

He had a solid Republican majority in the House that declared all his immigration proposals DOA from 2001 up until the 2006 election. They even passed a strict enforcement only bill during 2006.

He became arrogant after the 2006 election gave he and Rove a Democrat House to work with. Then the voters started watching much more closely.

[Will88]

“No matter how many times you tell a lie....in the end IT’S STILL A LIE!”

Wow, talk about projection!

You were really talking to yourself, then just became confused.

[bill1952]

Compromise got us here. To this point.

To the point where we are relentlessly urged to change our laws because we do not want to enforce them.
To the point where controlled legal immigration means all out, bar no doors, galloping numbers that will change the very face and culture of America itself.

and yes, illegal immigration has no benefit, period. Unmatched social security numbers be damned.

compromise. - “snort!”

No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.

Obedience of the law is demanded; not asked as a favor.

Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.

- Theodore Roosevelt

[Infidel1571]

“He became arrogant after the 2006 election gave he and Rove a Democrat House to work with. Then the voters started watching much more closely.”

That’s pretty much when the gloves completely came off, but the brazen contempt for conservatives was there previous to 2006.