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After reading the speech, I have come to the conclusion that Bush's proposed immigration reform is another brilliant masterstroke of strategery. Every interest gets something:

1) foreign nationals get:
(a) to stay for a reasonable amount of time, on reasonable terms;
(b) a way to keep their Social Security investment;
(c) some financial security for their work investment; and
(d) to live inside the law

2) US citizens concerned about the erosion of their citizenship are guaranteed two important points:
(a) the visas are temporary;
(b) border security (although we may very well get stiffed on this one, if history is any guide);
(c) a strong financial incentive for aliens to go home after they are done working in the US; and
(d) a major decrease in the level of lawlessness

3) US employers get:
(a) off the hook for breaking the law; and
(b) a way to maintain their workers

4) Politicians, especially the GOP, get to have an actual accomplishment to point to with regards to the immigration problem. It also is insurance just in case we get another 9/11 from people being smuggled through the southern border.

In conclusion, this is another piece of brilliant Bush strategery (which I have not yet decided I like, but nevertheless recognize that) that cuts a broad middle ground between the combatants in the political sphere. I am reminded much of the attempt to get UN support for the war in Iraq - it offers a deal that, while not perfect, it would be good faith to offer, and unreasonable to refuse. (On the other hand, it also gives nobody everything they want.)

I don't see how anybody in the legislature can oppose this. The Democrats might oppose it solely on the ground that it would be a Bush accomplishment and helps him in the 2004 election - that's not beyond the depths they have long since plumbed - but they could not win.

I really don't see how conservatives could oppose it, either. If you do want to get rid of as many aliens as possible, as soon as possible, this is the best thing you have seen yet. How many aliens would we have leave, otherwise, by the end of three years? The policy is very discriminatory against indigents as well, which any conservative has to agree with.(Agreed, we may have an issue with temporary workers coming for the purpose of having US citizen children here being protected by the Constitution.)

After reading the speech, I have come to the conclusion that Bush's proposed immigration reform is another brilliant masterstroke of strategery

Too clever by half. Most of the illegals will not sign on to the program fearing that they will be identified and deported. The others will sign up and disappear after three years if they can't renew. The program will be welcomed by many of those outside the US who will be offered jobs (some by unscrupulous employers who will be using the system as an Underground Railroad to get people in including a "processing fee"). Workers will now bring in their families. Those without jobs will still enter the US illegally. The net result will be a dramatic increase in immigrants.

It is sort of like what the Austrailians tried to do to control their rabbit population by building a fence to pen them in. Soon there were as many rabbits on one side of the fence as the other. This stratergy is a scam that does nothing to control our borders. Sacrificing the country on the altar of political expediency is not something I expected from Dubya.