Posted on 03/24/2005 9:14:02 PM PST by Conservative Firster
Republican lawmakers are headed for a showdown over illegal immigration, an issue that exposes a deep and bitter rift within the GOP.
The drama will unfold when Congress returns early next month and turns to finish an emergency spending bill to fund the Iraq war. The House version, approved before the Easter break, carries tough immigration restrictions, reigniting a long-simmering battle with the Senate over how to deal with the growing illegal population.
It is a conflict that President Bush scarcely needs as he tries to unite his party behind contentious Social Security changes and judicial nominations. Meeting Wednesday with Mexican President Vicente Fox, Bush promised to continue pushing Congress for a program allowing temporary guest workers. That accommodation is the opposite of what House conservatives are seeking with the crackdown on asylum seekers and state driver's-license requirements for illegal immigrants that they attached to the Iraq bill. Bush acknowledged the limits of his influence: "I'm not a member of the legislative branch," he told Fox.
The immigration debate pits one core GOP constituency (law-and-order conservatives) against another (business interests that rely on immigrant labor). One camp wants to tighten borders and deport people who are here illegally; the other seeks to bring illegal workers out of the shadows and acknowledge their growing economic importance.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I'm beginning to wonder if those left wing protesters down at the park weren't right all along. The one's with the signs that say "Bush is a criminal!" and "Bush is a gangster!"
Yeah, there's a split alright. Let's see, 434 congressmen and a few people in the construction, farm, hotel, & meat packing industries vs the rest of the registered republicans.
Yes, by all means do nothing about getting serious on the illegals and watch Hillary eat our lunch in 2008.
Yes, by all means do nothing about getting serious on the illegals and watch Hillary eat our lunch in 2008.
I'm sure the McCain - Kennedy bill will just be peachey. McCain is really getting ready for the 2008 primaries. He's lost his marbles.
Yep. I will sit out or Third Party depending on how the Illegal thing is worked out. The arrogance is monumental IMO. My Rep. neighbors feel very much the same way.
Republicans in DC need to sit up and smell the tea leaves on this issue.
I can't think of a more certain issue than Illegal Immigration to separate dictionary-defined conservatives from libertarian-wannabe conservatives.
If anyone believes that we should look the other way on illegal immigrants or that we should enact some sort of guest worker program without first implementing a massive illegal alien collection and deportation effort then that person is a libertarian and not a conservative.
And the trouble with libertarians is that they worship freedom rather than utilize freedom to serve the one they worship.
Republican lawmakers are headed for a showdown over illegal immigration, an issue that exposes a deep and bitter rift within the GOP.
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And the fact that there is a "rift", is a tragedy upon America...there should be one, unified, pro-Constitution, pro-Amercian law, borders, and soverignty voice from the GOP....anything less is a sell-out of America.
Illegals bring down EVERYONE's pay! It's supply-&-demand: if there's more supply relative to demand, price (wages) goes down. I do not understand how ANY American -- except maybe Fortune-500 executives -- can support any program that brings in more non-citizens to compete with American citizens for the jobs that exist.
I just don't get how there can be any split in the Conservative movement over this. For that matter, I'm not sure I even see why any leftist would support this either; don't they understand their incomes are affected too?
Can anyone explain me what the arguments are in favor of amnesties, "guest worker" programs, etcetcetc? Even aside from the obvious security risks -- terror, drugs, organized crime -- the economic argument alone should be enough, no? Or am I missing something here?
"And the trouble with libertarians "
Please put the big "L" on libertarian when you are discussing this. There's nothing libertarian about allowing hordes of people to cross the border and use services without paying for them.
From the way I read it, McCain and Hegel have separate plans, but only McCain is loony enough to be collaborating with the swimmer.
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