[Wolfstar]

Despite the fact that most FReepers probably consider the signing of the 1986 immigration reform act to be among his worst mistakes, most FReepers would also agree that Ronald Reagan is among the greatest U. S. presidents ever.

There are positives and negatives in all human endeavors — even the very best of them. When confronted with the possible occurrence of what one considers a negative policy move, the wise participant in civic affairs does not do the political equivalent of stamping his or her feet like a child with a temper tantrum (i.e., well, that's it for me, I'm never going to vote for him again).

Instead, one does everything possible to influence policy. We are not helpless children. We are adults with the ability to write letters, make phone calls, contribute to PACs and organizations that lobby for our point of view, and so on.

And, most importantly, we should have the good sense not to be reactive, single-issue voters, but to weight both the positives and negatives of any elected official, and those of his opponent, and vote accordingly. How many of us, if given the miracle of a chance to vote for Ronald Reagan again, would not do so because he shortsightedly signed that act in 1986?

[leadpencil1]

Well done.

[ambrose]

I bet President Reagan would not make the same mistake twice.

[Bikers4Bush]

I don't recall Regan bloating social government programs the way W has.

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

No one is perfect. Even Ronnie. His good far out weighed his bad. I will have a toast to the Gipper.

[CO_dreamer]

Yeah, sure why not. CFR, bloated pork barrel budgets, amnesty for illegals, nation-building, kowtowing to China and slapping down Taiwan, all is forgiven.

And since he won't be running for reelection after 2004, he won't be pandering to his base supporters like he has in the first 4 years. /sarcasm

[RJS1950]

Reagan later admitted that it was one of the biggest mistakes of his two terms.

[Shermy]

How many of us, if given the miracle of a chance to vote for Ronald Reagan again, would not do so because he shortsightedly signed that act in 1986?

Of course I wouldn't. One should learn from the past. "Shortsidedness" is now 18 years old.

As Tancredo said, the Republican want cheap labor, the Democrats want votes.

I think this is "true," but limited. Both Republicrat factions are dominated by corporate interests that understand that Americans' wages are "costs", and costs can be cut by undermining the wage market. Naturally if the illegals were CEOs and accountants the borders would be shut down pronto. Market power and "free" trade is not for the little people. Bush can pass a huge corporate welfare bonus for drug industry and bar the little guy from buying the same drugs cheaper in Canada. Go figure.

People endlessly cite how the Republicrat immigration policy of destroying the low end labor markets (now reaching IT personnel and other middle classes), is not good for the economy in the long run, or for the people short or long. So what? IN the short term the owners and officers of certain industries gain money. They in turn contribute to candidates, they create think-tank front groups that shape the debate and foment arguments that appeal to left and right wing prejudices and assumptions.

It's about money for certain people...who can afford for their policies to prevail and dominate. Both parties are complicit.

The candidate that explains the truth to American citizens most effected, disproportionately Hispanic and Black, without racist overtones wins the next election hands down if he comes from a major party. Pym Fortuyn showed the power of this strategy, gaining 20% of the Dutch vote for a previously non-existent party - with strong immigrant backing. The idea that "Hispanic" citizens want mass immigration is untrue.

So as for Reagan, if he tried it twice, darn right I'd call him on it.

[MissAmericanPie]

Can you white wash Bush with a comparison to Reagan? The voters were not split 50/50 in his day and in danger of illegals tipping the scale forever left in this country, and there was a landslide for Reagan. Bush has slapped conservatives in the face during his first four years in office. I shudder to think what he can manage when he isn't worried about being re-elected.

There was alot at stake when Reagan made his little mistake. That little mistake has balooned to the point that nothing he accomplished can offset the damage he did. So no, the answer is I wouldn't vote for Reagan now if given the chance and the hindsight.
What's at stake now is beyond human language to express.

As bad as I hate them, Demonrats could never have gotten the damage done that Bush has. The Congress, Senate, and the general public wouldn't have tolerated it.

[texastoo]

My single issue is illegal immigration which encompasses:

1) Sovereignty
2) National security
3) Social security
4) Medicare "$1 billion for illegals
5) Welfare (food stamps, WIC,housing,all Free to illegals)
6) Education (schools are too crowded)
7) English ( the US is quickly becoming the "tower of babel"
8) Infrastructure (highways are overcrowded)
9) Enviromental issues
10)Lawlessness (the word illegal explains it. Latino Gangs, smugglers, ect.

Consider me a single issue voter.

[OldFriend]

How dare you print facts......be logical.....and please do duck and cover!

[lilylangtree]

Thanks for post. This was one of his real bad mistakes.

[warchild9]

I've been seeing more of this kind of defense of W's maladinistration: Reagan = Bush.

Uh, no. I knew Bush wasn't Reagan the day he paid the Communist Chinese ransom money for the return of our servicepeople and disassembled super-secret aircraft. And it's gone downhill since then.

[Tacis]

Is that really true? I believe FDR (warning: I have garlic and a crucifix and several wooden stakes) authorized the/a bracero program that allowed Mexican laborers into the US during the 2nd World War (the war that that man and his hideous wife knew was about to start but did nothing to block the sneak attack) to do work the work that Americans in uniform could not do. I thought some were allowed to stay with some sort of permanent status.

That President Reagan blundered is no reason to excuse the failure of President Bush to defend the nation against the invading Mexican illegal alien criminals who are striping the wealth of American property owners and sending it back to Mexico where Presidente Fox and his PANista thugs skim a share.

[Reagan Man]

President Reagan made a serious mistake by granting amnesty to illegal aliens back in 1986. Given an opportunity to correct such a decision, I highly doubt, Reagan would do it again.

PresBush has the passing of time working to his advantage. He shouldn't be considering amnesty to illegal aliens under any circumstances and especially not after the events of 9-11.

Amnesty isn't a smart option for PresBush.

When you take Bush`s signing of the CFR bill into law, his increasing education spending like never before, okay`ing the largest farm subsidy bill ever and then last week, approving the largest government entitlement program in 38 years, adding amnesty to that list of wrongheaded centrist policy, won't gain him any support among his conservative base. It may gain him some moderate support and will defintiely lose him some conservative votes in 2004.

[Kay Soze]

True statement on Regan greatly influencing illegal immigration to the BAD!

We are STILL burdened with a HUGE illegal crossing of the AZ and CA borders.

No doubt whatsoever that someone from the Middle east could easily handle a three day trek through the Az desert and get into this country with men and arms.

Bush has been as effective in stemming the flow of illegals as Clinton.

[Ohioan]

Yes. You are right. But how can any of us vote for anyone who 17 years later, wants to repeat Reagan's mistake?

No amnesty this side of the border!

For a discussion of immigration issues, see Immigration & The American Future.

And remember, also, when Reagan proposed the one-time amnesty, it was not coupled with increased Welfare type benefits, rather proposals to move in the opposite direction. Washington, today, is awash in incredibly expensive vote buying schemes, that Reagan would have had no truck with. These draw the worst class of immigrant, and place an ever increasing burden on the backs of Americans whose only active roots are in this land.

William Flax

[freeangel]

Then it's time to set a new precedent and stop this amnesty BS NOW!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

With all due respects, illegal aliens back in 1986 weren't the criminals/terrorists that they are now.

[skeeter]

Immigration poll:

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

[ladyinred]

Oh my. Thanks for this.