Bush Pulls Off Shrewd Stroke (Immigration strategery is a coup de main)

The United Press International ^ | January 8, 2004 | Martin Sieff

[quidnunc]

President George W. Bush's proposed immigration reform plan may prove to be a masterstroke from a maestro political strategist playing at the top of his game. It may backfire on him, but it probably won't.

The reform plan has already provoked strong attacks from Democrats and Latino activists who say it does not go far enough and the critical voices have been particularly loud in crucial California. It will also increase strains the president's policies have already generated in the Rocky Mountain libertarian West, his archrival John McCain's stronghold in the 2000 Republican primary race.

But at the end of the day, unless the two huge decisive issues of the economy and national security turn catastrophically sour on the president, these critiques will probably bounce off him like any criticism off the Teflon back of Ronald Reagan.

-snip-

[Shermy]

Finally, the president's initiative is a classic example of the strategic "proactive" or "offense" politics that he and adviser Karl Rove love to practice. As well as playing excellent defense politics, the GOP's dynamic duo revels in winning major support from core constituencies of their flailing opponents.

Yeah, I agree, they're misunderstanding it. This article is a prime example - completely ignores the forces behind the proposal, and the consequeces. Kind of a gushy stab at making the proposal something brilliant about the election...true, but for fundraising purposes from the cheap labor factions of the business world.

Actually, the scope of Bush's plan is almost breathless, even allowing for more illegals to come in.

[Tamzee]

No, he just knows that a certain type of conservative stayed home in the 2000 election and he's learned he can't count on them. Staying home in the 2004 election will be nothing new to them.

PA went to Gore by only 200,000 votes out of 5 million. Only 82% of our conservatives voted for Bush.

[TLI]

As long as there is a penalty of some kind for those who came here illegally and some serious penalties for anyone who hires an illegal in the future, I have no problem with this proposal, just as long as the temporary status doesn't get turned into direct green card status.

Income tax was NEVER to go above 6% either, when that "temporary" measure was shoved u.... er, invented.

Kinda makes yer hair stand up, don't it?

TLI

[Shermy]

Even shrewder would be for Bush to follow the wishes of the people, election-wise.

[RockyMtnMan]

Rocky Mountain libertarian West

I knew I bitched a lot about the amnesty program but damn! Oh, maybe they are talking about Tancredo?

[CyberAnt]

Finally .. somebody with their brain in gear. I agree with you Mike.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Same, here is it like they don't even want to hear it. They don't want to understood that this one act could literally break this nation.

[Paul C. Jesup]

understood = understand

[MJY1288]

First off.. It's not a plan or a Bill, it's not an executive order. It's a proposal for debate with a set of suggestions for congress to debate. This is where you and I can chime in by sending letters and Faxes to our elected Representatives. To call people "Stupid" will not do anything to make things worse.

Think about the options on what to do with this many illegals who either came here to work or take advantage of the system. To think we can deport all of these people is not possible, 8 to 12 million Deportee's would require at least 100,000 buses, and possible 500,000 troops or Nat'l Guardsman to round them up. And then consider what this kind of mass deportation would look like around the world, the liberals would have a field day portraying all of us as Nazi's.

If we arrested each and every illegal right now, all they would get is a free ride to the border and we would see them back tomorrow. To impose a fine for breaking our laws and not allowing them to but in front of Green Card applicants is not Amnesty in my book.

My only demand is that the employers who hire illegals from the day any worker plan is adopted will pay a heavy price for hiring illegals. Take their business assets and sell them, as well as tossing their butts in jail. But the idea that we can simply deport 8 to 12 million illegals is a pipe dream.

If you have flies infesting your home because you have left food on the table. you don't stand at the door with a fly swatter, you put the food away.

[Luis Gonzalez]

SHIELDS UP MR. SPOCK!

[hedgetrimmer]

"Hunt-em Down an Deport-em" crowd

As opposed to the rule of law crowd? 1986. Do you remember? Congress was going to stop illegal immigration once and for all. The citizens should not be punished and criminal employers should not be ignorred because Congress will not follow through on its own laws:

S.1200 Public Law: 99-603 (11/06/86)
SPONSOR: Sen Simpson (introduced 05/23/85)


Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 - Title I: Control of Illegal Immigration - Part A: Employment - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make it unlawful for a person or other entity to: (1) hire (including through subcontractors), recruit, or refer for a fee for U.S. employment any alien knowing that such person is unauthorized to work, or any person without verifying his or her work status; or (2) continue to employ an alien knowing of such person's unauthorized work status.

[sarasmom]

Were you an adult in 1986?
The amnesty that was supposed to fix the illegal immigration problem?
Even if you were not, it is readily obvious that it did not work.At all.
Now you celibrate another version.
In your world, whatever that is, you might perceive a net gain.
In my world, we are screwed again.
My next door neighbor is a business owner.He works his butt off mowing lawns, no illegals or under the table employees.
He does not employ slave laborers.
The man I hired to clean my companies office is a small businessman.He works his butt off, and does a good job without resorting to illegal slaves.
Market rules?
This is a right to work state.
I grew up with unions, and I thought their time had passed, but I am willing to admit I was wrong.
It seems a whole lot of people in the USA think creating and maintaining a new slave class of people is acceptable.
Did we not have a civil war on this issue?
Only a complete idiot thinks we wont have another.
But I guess you think you are safe, behind your gated community.
Think again.

[deport]

8. Later this month President Bush will give his State of the Union Address to the nation. What topic are you most interested in hearing the president talk about during his speech? (OPEN ENDED)

The economy/jobs	35%
Iraq	17
Terrorism	10
Health Care	4
Medicare/ prescription Drugs	4
Education	3
Immigration/ illegal aliens	2
Social Security	2
Taxes	2
Budget Deficit	1
Other	5
None	6
Not sure	9

8. Later this month President Bush will give his State of the Union Address to the nation. What topic are you most interested in hearing the president talk about during his speech? (OPEN ENDED)

The economy/jobs	35%
Iraq	17
Terrorism	10
Health Care	4
Medicare/ prescription Drugs	4
Education	3
Immigration/ illegal aliens	2
Social Security	2
Taxes	2
Budget Deficit	1
Other	5
None	6
Not sure	9

[Luis Gonzalez]

"If you have flies infesting your home because you have left food on the table. you don't stand at the door with a fly swatter, you put the food away."

I get ants.

[Peace will be here soon]

(Lets restore Freedom, join the Constitution Party)

---

I may be joining you !!! I have been looking into this party and like what I see. Truly Conservative values ! Their platform on immigration is dead on track !!

[Luis Gonzalez]

ROTFLMAO!!!

There are more people "Not Sure" of a topic they want the president to talk about, than those who want to hear him address the immigration issue!

[Hattie]

Actually I can't figure out the surprise everyone has about this. Bush campaigned on this for 2000 and stated his plans. He was even asked in one of the debates the specific question about what he would do about this problem, and he stated then he was in favor of this kind of worker permit program. Whether we agree or disagree, he was on record before the election for those paying attention.

[Revel]

"It may backfire on him, but it probably won't."

Either way -it will backfire on America.

[MJY1288]

1986 was blanket amnesty, this is not, plus.. it's not even a bill yet. All it is, is a proposal for debate. We have a roll to play in this, you can either leave things as they are, or get involved and let our Representatives know how we feel. But I can tell you one thing for sure, if you send your elected Representative a letter demanding mass deportation, it will be placed in the circular file. Deporting millions of illegals would cost trillions of dollars, putting the military on 16,000 miles of border would require at least 500,000 troops. Bringing these illegals into the sunlight and make them pay a fine and return to work is a start IMHO, We will know who they are and where they are. But as I said before, we MUST crack down on those who hire illegals and set a limit on how many of these guest workers will be allowed to participate.