I think Reid is getting a bit senile, and said something he didn't mean to.
He could have said, "We can't have people that violate the law." I think that's what he meant to say. But he didn't. He said "We can't have an American people that violate the law." In other words, he actually seems this just as we do: A tyrannical government ("we") versus the American people as a whole, or at least against those willing to stand up for their rights.
Reid represents the all-powerful government, which cannot permit the American people to stand up against anything it decides to impose on them. And in this instance, Reid IS the government and the law.
But I don't think he meant to say he was putting down the American people. Just some people who were behaving illegally. Still, that's what he said. An interesting admission, and I think probably unintended.
We can’t have an American people violate the law and just walk away.
I believe these words were very carefully chosen, we have IMMIGRANTS
break the LAW every day with old Harry standing and fighting for them,
they are not AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!! The laws ONLY apply to AMERICAN
people unless of course your a congress critter, or government employee!!!
Where's Porter Rockwell when ya need him?