Posted on 05/24/2005 11:12:29 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
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There have been few occasions since 1965 when the system might have been successfully challenged and reformed toward lower numbers, toward a different system of selection, and the maintenance of effective border and interior controls. Ronald Reagan was in office when the first opportunity for reform arose. Where immigration is concerned, because it builds its own constituencies, there is often not a second chance.
Is the GOP still a party of two souls?
(No Reagan bashing here. But this does serve in explaining why the illegal immigration has proliferated to the state of it now being an invasion.)
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Ronald Reagan called himself a conservative, but on immigration, he was not, and neither were thousands of Republican operatives he installed in places where they could implement his revolution.The Republican Party had two souls, one devoted to law and order and respect for the institutions of family, church, and nation; the other and more animated one steering not by those cautious and preservative instincts but by a libertarian, free-market, government-hating ideology.
The latter quickly understood that immigration reform meant strong government somewhere, so with religious conviction they moved quickly from a total lack of interest in the subject to vigorous opposition. This struggle for the soul of the Republican Party did not last long because Ronald Reagan's heart was not with the conservatives, but with the rightist ideologues.
On immigration however, the amnesty mistake was a crucial juncture for reform. It should not now be allowed to be repeated by Kennedy and McCain.
We must learn from our past mistakes.
BTTT
It's hard for me to have any criticism of this great American and president but yes signing onto the amnesty of 1986 was indeed imo a huge mistake. I'm convinced though if he knew the consequences of that disastrous legislation he wouldn't have done it over. Can't say the same for its sponsors Simpson and Mazzoli. To this day Simpson claims to have no regrets.
I agree. I was suggesting that Ronnie and Patty were a couple of doosies.
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"I'm convinced though if he knew the consequences of that disastrous legislation he wouldn't have done it over."
That legislation I don't think is going anywhere, at least not in the House. If it ever did become law it would dwarf the 1986 amnesty in terms of its negative impact on the country.
Interesting you quote a lib's liberal historian. I know Otis Graham, did a graduate seminar with him back in the early '70s. While a great admirer of the New Deal and quite the '50s WASP lib, he was always a fairly careful scholar.
Our government is neglecting both.
Ronnie Jr. is into ballet?
Yes. He is a ballet dancer
Whoa! That picture has 1970s written all over it.
Be nice...I still dress like that.
Holy crap! Betcha he has to use a falsie package.
therein lies the rub, frater. The law of unintended consequences strikes again.
It's pretty much obvious to most conservatives and probably all freepers that the above phrase is something we've come to dislike, because we associate it with a leftist/modern "liberal" mentality that - in it's monolithic swing into the world of fantasy and desired outcomes - can be counted upon to always rosey up their grand ideas with what utopian conditions can be achieved if we try them.
The above article takes nothing fm Reagan. In fact, in an ironic way, it proves the imperfection of even the best among us (and make no mistake, Ronald Reagan stands among the Best that America has produced). How many times have we ourselves attempted something and seen the results veer from what we desired/expected them to be? That the decision has far-reaching consequences for our nation doesn't change this.
All the more reason to follow a conservative guide as much as possible... mistakes will still happen because Man is not perfect, but at least in our belief, we stand a better chance of learning from our mistakes (jury's still out on this maxim in regards to current immigration though) then those across the divide to our left.
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