The house is forced to act for it's constituents because of their short-terms, and their direct answering to a district. I wish we could get rid of the 17th amendment and have our Senator answer to us.
Federalism...where are you?
I wonder how much the defeat of the Senate proposal can be attributed to the backlash from the Mexican-flag-waving-illegal-immigrant protests? I know I was outraged, and sent e-mails to my senators (Bonehead Boxer and Dipsy DiFi - yeah; aren't I lucky?), and wonder how many others did, too.
"(Don't they know they won't even be voting in November?)" ??????
What, doesn't he know they are already voting?
Doesn't he know the invaders are instructed in how to register, and directed on how to vote, from offices set up on U.S. soil and controlled from Mexico?
One of the items missing from the whole "immigration reform" (Illegal entry is NOT immigration!) is any mention of enforcing the laws against non-citizens VOTING!
ping
Anything else would be nothing more than election year grandstanding and Republicans trying to cover their collective rear ends.
As far as the Senate is concerned, We ought to be glad partisan politics prevailed. Otherwise one of these silly bills would be headed to the House.
The Most Significant Lobbying in this Illegal Immigration Problem is the Catholic Church which states unequivocally that all of these illegal aliens have the following RIGHTS. There are no statements about RESPONSIBILITIES in obeying the laws of the countries that they go to.
As a Catholic, I am really disapointed by their arrogance and attitude.
The following is LOBBYING POSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION:
=====Catholic Social Teachings
All persons have the right to find in their own countries the economic, political, and social opportunities to live in dignity and achieve a full life through the use of their God-given gifts. In this context, work that provides a just, living wage is a basic human need. (Page 15, Paragraph 34)
The Church recognizes the right of sovereign nations to control their territories but rejects such control when it is exerted merely for the purpose of acquiring additional wealth. More powerful economic nations, which have the ability to protect and feed their residents, have a stronger obligation to accommodate migration flows. (Page 15, Paragraph 36)
The Church recognizes that all goods of the earth belong to all people. When persons cannot find employment in their country of origin to support themselves and their families, they have a right to find work elsewhere in order to survive. Sovereign nations should provide ways to accommodate this right. (Page 15, Paragraph 35)
Those who flee wars and persecution should be protected by the global community. This requires, at a minimum, that migrants have a right to claim refugee status without incarceration and to have their claims fully considered by a competent authority. (Page 16, Paragraph 37)
Regardless of their legal status, migrants, like all persons, possess inherent human dignity which should be respected. Government policies that respect the basic human rights of the undocumented are necessary. (Page 16, Paragraph 38)
er... House and Americans vs. Illegals and Vichy Senate Leadership.