The Politics, Practicalities and the Human Side of the Immigration Debate (a rant by Pharmer)

As I said in a previously posted essay at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1631321/posts We are not helping the tone of good debate. “Secure the border!” Right on I say!! “Throw out the wetbacks! Especially the Mexicans!!!” I totally agree. Words mean things and “illegal” means “its agin the law ya moron!” But ever since Reagan granted the first round of amnesty back in the 80’s the genie has been out of the bottle. We are paying a very steep price for the liberal pandering to vocal minorities.

But shrill rhetoric and the single mindedness on display in this forum is not helpful. Many FPeepers would have loved to see the INS round up all of those sporting the Mexican flag at the rallies in LA and escort them to Tijuana. But if we actually did that, one word comes to mind: Gestapo. And we did it before… does the name Manzanar ring a bell? The liberal hero FDR with the assistance of another liberal hero Earl Warren interred thousands of Japanese Americans there during WWII. This remains a true black mark on American history regardless of your politics. Mass deportations of migrant workers, legal or not, would reek of similar racism. It would only confirm the liberal stereotype of conservatives. Are we really that base that we would act so rashly?

Troops on the border? No can do! Something called Posse Commitatus. No use of the Military for police actions within the nation’s borders! Could be a truly impeachable offence (got it President Logan??!!). Only by an act of congress repealing or suspending that law can we put troops on the border. State Governors can mobilize National Guard units but only as support of local law enforcement which is just what Mr. Bush called for.

Building a wall? Like the Berlin Wall? Only WE (Americans… the good guys!) shoot those coming over it? How do we patrol it? How about a fence! Or better yet a mine field! Come on folks get real!! This is not who we are! I was told and I believe that America is a place of hope. Remember how offended we were when GW Bush coined the phrase “Compassionate Conservative”? Well, judging from some of the comments posted here in this forum he may have a point!

To many in this forum sealing the border is nothing short of digging a moat and wall on the border. And anything short of mass deportation via projectile devise is amnesty.

Look, as I said before “illegal” means “its agin the law…” and the way to secure the border is to strictly enforce the law. Build a wall of fear that if you come into this country illegally you will be returned, no exceptions, no delay. That should be top priority. The reason we are in this mess isn’t due to lack of INS agents or border patrol officers, but due to the lax law enforcement that has emboldened such activity. We can and we should employ all possible means to stop the unchecked flow of people across the border who simply come, work for cash under the table and return to Mexico. Enforcing existing law on those how are actively coming into this country illegally and those who are employing them should not be politically risky.

If Mexicans are coming across the border to work with the sole desire to return to their families at the end of the day we should at least try document them if that is their sole purpose. But what to do with the millions of illegals who have settled here in the barrios of our big cities and are working mowing our lawns and cleaning our offices after six in the evening? Well, according to many FReepers anything short of spontaneous combustion is amnesty.

The proposed “guest worker provisions” require some form of documentation so the INS knows who you are and why your are here. Why It almost sound like…dare I say.. a green card?!! OK so they didn’t apply for a visa in advance…. Shoot me! And to be considered for such a program after entering the country illegally: 1) a $2000 fine, 2) a full background check with no arrest record either here or in their native land, 3) must learn English 4) payment of all back taxes and penalties to the IRS. Only then can you continue to work or even apply for citizenship. Any violation and deportation would occur. Doesn’t sound like a kiss on the cheek!

According to the Oxford English dictionary (shorter edition): Amnesty 1) Forgetfullness; an intentional overlooking 2) An act of oblivion, an overlooking or pardon for past offences by the ruling authority.

So…a $2000 fine, forcing them to learn English and a thorough background check is amnesty? If 90% of these poor souls have $2000 to fork over for a fine it would be a miracle. These guys get the hook, see ya. And require them to speak English…most of them can barely speak Spanish! Hasta la vista, baby! And to document them? That means they have to report their earnings to the IRS!! Taxes? No way! Buh Bye! These people would be and should be deported as a matter of due process. But such a program does offer a solution to those who have settled here, have children, and are working at a steady job. Such a filter in my mind will sift out the ones who are here to better their live versus those who are taking advantage of our stupid rich liberals and business owners who need nannies, gardeners and field hands but don’t want to pay social security or state and local taxes.

Immigration, legal or otherwise has always been a hotly contested issue. There was a time when we debated cutting off immigration from southern and eastern Europe because they smelled bad! But we are still America, a land of immigrants if you are not American Indian and most are not. “Give us your tired and huddled masses…legally”

But many in this forum are looking to the President to fix the problem. But the issue is not his to solve. It is up to that gutless group of elitists in the Senate. And every one of the 18 Republican cowards who voted with the Dems to weaken the border enforcement first amendment are either RINO’s or not up for re-ellection in 2006. The House on the other hand hears you. Loud and clear! They are doing your bidding! They need to be rewarded by re-electing them next fall. There is no need to abandon your congressman in 2006. Bush is not on the ballot nor is he the enemy. The Democrats are the enemy. At some point one needs to get a breath and ask, What would John Kerry do? So Its time to get off the pig pile and start asking do I skewer my party over this alone? We just got another round of tax relief and Bush is putting the right folks on the federal bench so CHILL OUT!!!!

Let me see....Japanese CITIZENS....Illegal Aliens....
Nope, I don't see how that's the same thing at all.
However, I respect your right to rant! ;)
susie

Troops on the border? No can do! Something called Posse Commitatus. No use of the Military for police actions within the nation’s borders!

Not true.

1. Mobilize individual State National Guards as Militia of the United States. The Armed Forces are not involved.

2. Lease the National Guard from a State under Title 32. Control is retained by the Governor. Cost is paid by the feds. No restriction on use for law enforcement. No conflict with posse comitatus.

3. Lease a State's State Guard. The State Guard has no dual federal/state mission. It is wholly owned by the States and is generally set up to respond to state emergencies and sometimes police action.

We're taking the Title 32 approach with a voluntary restraint on using the troops for law enforcement.

"Mass deportations of migrant workers, legal or not, would reek of similar racism. It would only confirm the liberal stereotype of conservatives. Are we really that base that we would act so rashly?"

Basically, WHO CARES what the liberals think?? As long as the deportations are done according to law, there is zero problem. I get sick and damned tired of people who constantly say "we just can't deport 11 million people", when, in fact, we certainly CAN depor them.

I'm not being full of myself. I just can't stand that so many FReepers, whom I agree with most of the time are willing to send the good guys down because of some strident orthodoxy! If the base is going to cut off their nose to spite their face expecting the face to learn a lesson...well we deserve to loose. And what virtue is in that? Will loosing teach us a lesson?

I am having great joy in watching the Dems finding solace in defeat. They are at the point that they elevate to prominence every looser they have. Its part of their culture now. I just want to be sure it stays that way!!!

And you really think that anything you do on FR is gonna make a difference? that you are going to change anyone's mind? Then you have a serious case of self importance and ARE taking this all too seriously.

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