Conservative groups break with Republican leadership

The Washington Times ^ | 1/16/2004 | Ralph Z. Hallow

[Ricardo4CP]

National leaders of six conservative organizations yesterday broke with the Republican majorities in the House and Senate, accusing them of spending like "drunken sailors," and had some strong words for President Bush as well...

[inchworm]

what??

[Travelgirl]

You are right on.

[MEG33]

I never said he was perfect.I have a theory about this and his needing approval for funds on the war on terror and Iraq.It ain't pretty but its my theory.

[BigSkyFreeper]

It wouldn't have come to this had we ignored it for this long. You'd rather hang Bush for even logically addressing the issue. I'd give Bush the benefit of a doubt and a vote of confidence in November for even tackling a problem. Forget all this talk of principled Conservative or ignorant Liberal, we've been through enough of both, they're both persona non grata on the immigration issue.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Now it seems that you are at the avenue of thought that many of us have previously traveled.

Deportation, prosecution, etc...has repeatedly failed. Many of those deported, return the same day. The President's proposal is a new approach that has merit in light of what has proven to fail in the past.

He merely wants to try something different from the status-quo. Long time employers who deal with this on a daily basis all say his plan is brilliant and will work if given an honest effort.

All we are asking is that people allow the President enough respect to hear what he has to offer instead of freaking out and going into a rage over something they know very little about.

[sauropod]

"There are lots of people posting daily. And it’s probably a safe bet to say, the majority of them avoid these threads, such as myself. Why is that? Because if we express one opinion that doesn’t mesh with the crowd, we are automatically told to go drink kool aid, are a Bush-bot, to lick the nazi boots, etc."

And I would tell you that what I see are a whole lot of people telling anyone that disagrees with what's going on to sit down and STFU. Read this thread if you doubt me.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

That, I do not doubt one bit!

[Travelgirl]

Don't leave. A lot of us are disappointed in Bush's amnesty plan.

[MEG33]

I am glad it's out in the open for debate.He sure as heck didn't get mass approval.It's like the third rail..no one wants to push change.Let's get talking about it.There was a great post today citing the Jordon study that had good ideas that are a great place to start.

[Indy Pendance]

I don't doubt you, see my #294

[MEG33]

I mentioned your good immigration post.

[sauropod]

W. does not have the will.

[inchworm]

The only way I'd even start to listen is if I heard something like amnesty for illegals coupled with SEALING the border. I agree that sealing the border would probably be cheaper than sending someone to mars for who knows what.
About "taking the avenue that many have previously traveled"....I agree many have lost their conservatism.

[normy]

Listen, the amnesty proposal is complete crap. I hate the plan and the fact Bush suggested it, but I also know the Dems are for at least that so I can only hope Congress would put a stop to it. I guarantee a Dem controlled Congress would not. I agree the amnesty proposal is garbage but I have said things about Bush before and he usually proves he does the right thing in the end.

[sauropod]

Enforce the laws on the books and employ a lot more military troops on the borders to stop the illegals crossing.

Believe this comports with the Constitutionally mandated function of government to defend the country.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

You mean like his weak willed approach to the war on Terror?

Did I miss something? He didn't appear weak kneed or lacking in will when he went before the U.N. I guess I'm way out there or something.

[Steve Eisenberg]

Quickly Rounding up 10 million people who many of which, have now had children on our soil which makes them and their immediate family a citizen, not to mention sorting the whole mess out.....

I know. This has to weigh on the President. Whether done by round-up or done by forcing their employers to fire them, suddenly moving 10 million people out of the country would hardly by consistent with compassionate conservatism. But didn't the President imply that after 3 or 6 years on the new type of visa, most of them would still have to go? If the President's plan is sincere, doesn't it just postpone to the Presidency of his successor the horror of sending many millions unwillingly back to Mexico?

The best plan is probably one that gets the current illigals back home gradually. This soft landing is very hard to achieve. But the first step is to make sure that, at least, the problem doesn't get worse. In my opinion, if the President, through Congress, does exactly what he said he was going to do, a lot of current illegals either could not or world not get the new visas, and they would then have to go home due to increased employer sanctions. This is as close to a soft landing as we can come. The reason I don't like the President's plan is because I don't think he was sincere in saying that he only wants former illegals to work in jobs where "no Americans can be found to fill the jobs." So what we should be doing is to try to get him to live up to this pledge.

I'm not saying that we should be for the President's plan, or against the plan. We should be for pressuring the President and Cogress to stop illegal immigration. Then the Congressional compromise may just involve steps in the right direction rather than the wrong one. Vote GOP, yes, but forget about contributions to Bush 2004 until we get some clarifications; keep on reminding the President that our trust has been shaken and needs to be reearned.

[inchworm]

What??
What was right about campaign finance reform??
What was right about the prescription drug entitlement?

[normy]

I do not believe he is so dishonest as to sell out his own kind, but I do think he believes he has stolen issues the Dems have used for decades to garner votes. I do believe he is way more politicaly savy than most give him credit for.

It is amazing to me if Bush is so liberal why the liberals hate his guts with a passion. The only reason they could hate him so much is they see what he is doing to their party, which is exposing it for what it is.

[sauropod]

It may be your theory but its my wallet ;-).