Posted on 01/15/2004 7:07:05 AM PST by cricket
January 15, 2004 -- PRESIDENT Bush's im- migration/amnesty proposal will probably be remembered in history as the idea that saved a political party. By taking the lead in extending the benefits of legal protections to more than 10 million illegal immigrants now living in the United States, Bush has taken a bold and dramatic step to avert the extinction of his own party.
Until Bush acted, the grinding inevitability of demographic change was likely to doom the GOP to an early death. As America became 1 percent more Hispanic each year, the Republicans could not concede this growing group to the Democrats by 2-1 ratios without risking total annihilation down the road.
The Republicans have got to break the solid demographic phalanx that sustains the Democratic Party: Blacks, Hispanics and single white women. Together, this group cast 25 percent of votes in 1990, 32 percent in 2000 and will account for 40 percent in 2008.
But by embracing the cause of Hispanic immigrants and extending to them elemental civil rights and minimum-wage protections, Bush has struck a blow on their behalf that will resonate in their voting habits for generations to come.
His legislative proposals are akin to the sponsorship of a sweeping civil-rights bill in 1963-65 by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and will have a similar effect in binding Hispanics to the Republicans as the civil-rights legislation did in linking blacks to the Democrats.
For decades, Republicans systematically alienated Hispanics by insisting on English-only initiatives, opposing benefits for illegal immigrants and demanding an end even to free public schools for the children of those who came here illegally. These measures drove Hispanics into the waiting arms of Democrats. Bush has now acted to reverse the legacy of these initiatives and to welcome Hispanics into the GOP.
As Catholic voters, who take their religion seriously, Hispanics are a natural Republican constituency. Recent data that closely links the frequency of church attendance to party-voting habits supports the theory that this very religious voting group is likely to adhere to the Republican Party once its platform stops repelling them at every turn.
Republican efforts to win black voters have proven largely fruitless. Even the appointment of blacks to the two top jobs in the Bush foreign policy apparatus has failed to generate any significant African-American support for Bush in the polls. But candidates who appeal to the Hispanic vote - Gov. Pataki in New York, Gov. Rick Perry in Texas and the Bushes in Florida and Texas - have shown a real ability to get large shares of Hispanic voters.
As Hispanics follow the traditional paths of upward mobility that immigrant groups have trod before them, they are likely to lean more and more toward the Republicans - just as Irish and Italians do these days, abandoning the Democratic orientation of their ancestors.
Hispanics hold the key to the political outcomes in many major states. California, Texas and Florida are heavily influenced by their participation as are New York, New Jersey and Illinois. These are the key battleground states that hold the balance of power between the parties.
Apart from the politics of the issue, the merits also dictate the Bush initiative. America has 4 percent of the world's population but 25 percent of its wealth. It is incumbent on us to open our doors to those who seek upward mobility.
The only thing standing between subsistence and starvation in Mexico, and much of Central America, is the money sent home to needy families by hard working men and women in the United States who tend our gardens, wash our dishes and clean our floors. It is not American workers who they are putting out of jobs, it is American robots. The alternative to their low wage work is not American labor but machines.
The United States needs the skills, energy, savvy and willingness to work hard of our illegal immigrants. They are illegal only because our laws have been nativist and short-sighted. Now Bush is setting them right.
Agree. BUMP
Have not 'gone there' but read about this group this morning.
Seems some Christians are working themselves into a 'jihad' mode. We surely do not need 'extreme thinking' Christians to muddy the political waters; but do not think they have much collective credibility .
Was I supposed to laugh at this?
You can choose to believe what you want. I just provided the stats. I don't see any stats coming from your side to refute these numbers. I suppose you also chose to disbelieve the CIS stats, which if you read the study, are very well footnoted with gubmint numbers. But then again, I'm sure you have better info. If you do, please provide your links.
What a crock of fundamentalist bullcrap! If Bush didnt stop abortion yesterday and kill or lock up every queer in this country and throw away the key you kooks wouldnt be happy.
BTW,Your website still hasn't corrected the false rumour about Bush inviting Ozzie Osbourne to the White House for dinner. You damn fools, he was invited by Fox News to a White House Press charity function, not held at the White House by the way. So intolerant of others but so loose with the "facts" when they they can be used to bash Bush.
I didnt see any stats. I wonder if you know what the word means. If James Carville was to throw out a number and say Bush was responsible for the deaths of 50,000 Americans because of some environmental decision, would you call that a stat? I dont know what you are referring to about CIS? What is CIS and why should I care?
Obviously you didn't read the links at the posts but instead merely responded. Maybe if you did a little research rather and read studies and reports regarding the cost of illegal immigration, then you may have an opinion based upon something other than emotions.
I dont know what you are referring to about CIS? What is CIS and why should I care?
This again proves you did not read the links that I provided to facts researched by The Center for Immigration Studies. If you really wanted to be informed on the subject rather than react emotionally, then you should care to read their well-researched studies.
I see, anyone who hold Bush accountable for his liberal actions is EXTREME? heh? Far Right maybe? KKK? Lunatic fringe? Spare me. Just address the facts about Bush ...if you can! Is it true that Bush praised a Gay church? Is it true that he fed Taiwan to the Chinese dogs (so much for Freedom)? Is it true that he expanded govt. at a clip that a democrat can only admire? Is it true that he equated Allah with Jesus Christ? Is it true that he is tepid on pro-family agenda as respected conservative groups are saying? Is it true that he signed unconstitutional bills like the Patriot Act and CFR? Is it true that he support removal of teh 10 commandments monument? Well? If you can't argue substance, then don't bother answering.
Perhaps if you would learn how to do links you wouldnt get so frustrated. Your links in #37 that you are so proud of go to a four year old article by the White Supremisist Stix and a chart that someone posted. I still dont see squat by your Center for Immigration Studies and who they hell are they, a guy with an address and a fax machine?
Hispanics: Key to the Nation's Future
And just who is going to hold me accountable? Jesus or you?
All you can do is insult, which is the last resort of people with no effective argument.
That website you're pushing is an insult to all real Christians. And you still didnt respond about the incorrect accusation that Bush invited Ozzie Osbourne to the White House for dinner and that story is over two years old. Thou shalt not bear false witness...
Just like *Read my lips; no new taxes* was the key to Bush I's successful second term as president.
He said Christians and Muslims pray to the same God. Since I assume that you believe as I do that there is only God, then whats your beef... you dont like the name? Well from what Ive read the real name of God has never been revealed to the public. And if you say Jesus Christ is God then you are a lot smarter than most theoglogians which cant explain the trinity. Must be great to be sure of so much just because you were taught something in Sunday school. Suppose you still believe in Santa Claus too.
Your earkier links didnt go to the CIS. This one did but it still doesnt say who they are, who is behind them and where they get their money. For all I know its Tancredo and Ron Paul, two great independent thinkers, NOT! More like two demogogues.
No question. In addition they have a proud military history winning more Medals of Honor than any other group, I believe.
Traditional Democrats were hard working, patriotic tax-paying citizens, too. Dem rats run the Party today but the rank and file are still hard working, patriotic tax-paying citizens, mostly.
As they leave today's Democrat Party it's because they are opening their eyes -- not because Rove, et al. are pandering to the corrupt Mexican government. IMO.
Obviously, you do not understand it so I'll lay it out for you. It's simple. Christians say there is ONE God but Jesus Christ is God - 2nd person of the Triune God. Muslims say there is ONE God but that Jesus is not God and God is not Triune. Quite obviously, logic DEMANDS that both cannot be true simultaneously. It's the Law of Contradiction. One can be true logically, or both can be false, but both cannot be true. Get it? Consider yourself enlightened. It is straightforward logic.
Suppose you still believe in Santa Claus too.
Oh, that's right - denigrate Jesus Christ! I realize it's politically correct these days to ridicule Christians, but it doesn't speak well of the PC doctrine of tolerance (or should I say intolerance).
The Admin Moderator. He will make you cease and desist your name calling. And he will be doing you a favor by stopping you from showing people how unintelligent you are.
That website you're pushing is an insult to all real Christians. And you still didnt respond about the incorrect accusation that Bush invited Ozzie Osbourne to the White House for dinner and that story is over two years old. Thou shalt not bear false witness...
Really? Can you say that any of the facts are incorrect? If they are true, then someone really needs to make a defense for Bush on these points. I haven't seen anyone do that yet on any of these threads. All you Bushies can do is insult and name call. How mature and intelligent. If you can't argue with the big boys, take a hike. I don't have time for adolescent behavior.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.